Argus C-44? [Archive] - Rangefinderforum.com

Fedzilla_Bob

04-17-2005, 19:51

If you have a line on a good C44, get it. Not too many classic cameras made in the US, after all.
I thought that American classic was a good angle. I could start the "Cold War" collection. I can get the C-44 for less than the Iskra easily. It would be a nice touch since i was born in '55 1 year before the c-44. I like the aluminum bits in the construction and it has a 50's industrial design that is nice. Everytime I see one I think of Charles and Ray Eames. Not sure why. It's definitely a kind of atomic era look.

jlw

04-17-2005, 19:54

]

I have some C-3's , but I have not shot any of them yet.

I had a C-3 and shot it. Took six rounds to put the dratted thing out of my misery!

(Relax, Argus fans, I actually gave it away to a loving home...)

jlw

04-17-2005, 19:57

Another fun post-C3 Argus is the V-100, which wouldn't fit in an American-camera collection because it actually was made by a German OEM (Wirgin-Edixa?) A college pal of mine had one of these. It had a fairly good lens and shutter. What amused me about it was its quirky back-lock design: press a little tab to deploy the rewind knob, twist it, and the back would come flying off under spring pressure!

wlewisiii

04-17-2005, 19:59

True an argus is much cheaper... but the Iskra is one of the really rare ones. It is, by virtue of its utterly amazing lens, a camera that transends its limitations. The Argus is always going to be an "ok" camera. The Iskra will always be a great camera.

6x6 and a Tessar really is as close to perfection photographically as I am able to imagine. The Iskra does that better than any other camera I have ever seen the shots from.

On a rare occasion, it really is that simple. I do hope this is helpful.

William

Fedzilla_Bob

04-17-2005, 20:06

I too had suffered through a c3 in high school. I had purchased it at a flee market for 3 bucks when prodded by a friend. Light leaks were its whole purpose in life, and the rangefinder was off at least by a yard. It had seen better days. It became shelf decoration after the first roll. My sister ended up loaning me her Mamiya SLR while she went to live in Liberia for a year.

I will keep my eyes open vor the v-100.

William- I will probably get the Iskra for my birthday :D. I'll catch a c-44 on my dime. That is nearly what it costs.

Krasnaya_Zvezda

04-18-2005, 07:14

I own and have used several of the Argus, a's and C's. Don't have a C44, but I have been very pleased with the results from my C4, and the 21 Markfinder. In fact, it was resurrection of an old C3 that really propelled me into RF photography a few years ago, after killing an FSU camera the first day I got it.
C44 is definitely '50s cool.

Fedzilla_Bob

04-18-2005, 07:17

Kras... (do you mind if I call you Kras?)

why don't you post an image of your Argus collectiion?

GordonSBuck

04-18-2005, 07:40

I have a C44 as well as the 35mm and 100mm lenses and an external viewfinder. It is a kick to use this old equipment and reminds me of how simple photography really is. On my particular equipment, the lenses are sometimes very difficult to get off. I'd have to say that the lenses produce a bit of a soft photo but acceptable.

You'll probably enjoy the C44 as a learning tool and toy but don't expect too much of it.

Fedzilla_Bob

04-18-2005, 07:58

Krasnaya_Zvezda

04-18-2005, 08:10

Kras... (do you mind if I call you Kras?)

why don't you post an image of your Argus collectiion?

I'll see if I can do that for you this evening.
I don't mind 'Kras'----but 'Red' would do just as well ;)

J.Ed

04-18-2005, 15:34

As a C44 user I would like to make some comments. The first is to point out the Achilles' heel of the metal-bodied Argus line, that being the link that actuates the shutter. If the shutter blades are dirty, oily or otherwise fouled, DO NOT try to fire the shutter. You stand a very good chance of snapping the end off the link thus rendering the camera useless. Before using any new-to-me Argus, I flush clean the shutter assembly with lighter fluid. Secondly, with any of the Portra style films, I have yet to be dissapointed with any of the Argus lenses. Granted all my samples are clean and I always use a hood. Third, don't expect to go unnoticed on the street. The firing of the shutter is closely related to a train wreck for sound. The Argus Collectors Group site mentioned above has a wealth of information and will connect you to a great group of folks ready to assist with most any problem.

Fedzilla_Bob

04-18-2005, 15:48

thanks J.Ed- the train wreck anology had me chuckling. Nothing can be as loud as my Canon T70, which I consider the antithesis of stealth. It scares small dogs and children. When I fire off a shot everyone in a 2 block radius notices.

Thanks for the heads up regarding the shutter. Looks like there is a small group of Argus users here.

One thing I have noticed, there are far fewer Argus C-4 or 44's than FEDs, Zorki's or Kiev's. Yet, nearly everytime I see an eB*y listing for an FSU camera it is listed as "Rare." I suspect that not many C-4s have survived. Certainly a great deal less than there are FSU cameras.

Krasnaya_Zvezda

04-18-2005, 16:09

Kras... (do you mind if I call you Kras?)

why don't you post an image of your Argus collectiion?

Here you go, just a quick shot.
Front row, L to R: a2b, C3, 21 "Markfinder"
Back row, L to R: LC3, C4, a-four, C-twenty
Argus tried to get creative with their nomenclature.

Wayne R. Scott

04-18-2005, 16:30

I had a C-3 and shot it. Took six rounds to put the dratted thing out of my misery!

(Relax, Argus fans, I actually gave it away to a loving home...)

Six rounds??? That is why I use my .50 cal. when I shoot digital cameras, it only takes one shot. :angel:

Wayne

Fedzilla_Bob

04-18-2005, 16:54

KZ- nice collection. And, here i was all this time thinking you were a FSU purist.

The C-Twenty looks like it would be comfortable with a little "Dave Brubeck" and a martini.

Krasnaya_Zvezda

04-18-2005, 19:50

KZ- nice collection. And, here i was all this time thinking you were a FSU purist.

The C-Twenty looks like it would be comfortable with a little "Dave Brubeck" and a martini.

I try not to be a purist about anything. Except the vodka I drink. Actually though, I have not bought an American camera since I went over to the Red Side. There have been a coupla Zeisses, a Leica, and I just got my first Canon this week. But I am definitely focused on the FSU stuff.
Yeah, the C-twenty is truly straight out of late '50s "New Frontier" thing. I watched ebay for a long time to pick this one up. I already owned the a-four, with which I got great results, and then I discovered the C-twenty which is nothing more than an a-four with a coupled RF and a thumb advance. But what genius designed this? The focusing window is exactly 4mm wide. When bringing the camera up to focus, it takes me at least 3 seconds to locate the window. In comparison, the window on my Zorki 4 looks to be about 7.5mm, and the C4 is a similar size. So I don't know why they were so chintzy with the optics on the C-twenty.
Drink two or three martinis, and you can't focus the damn thing anyway. Hmm, I think I'll test that theory in a little while...

J.Ed

04-18-2005, 19:58

I forgot to mention, next month the Argus Collectors Group is having their annual get-together. See http://acgg4.homestead.com/ for more information

Fedzilla_Bob

04-18-2005, 20:00

I try not to be a purist about anything. Except the vodka I drink. ..
And which Vodka is that?

Fedzilla_Bob

04-18-2005, 20:02

I forgot to mention, next month the Argus Collectors Group is having their annual get-together. See http://acgg4.homestead.com/ for more information
Wouldn't you know it?... I moved from Fairfax, VA to San diego last July.

J.Ed

04-18-2005, 20:10

Wouldn't you know it?... I moved from Fairfax, VA to San diego last July.

So? We've had people come in from Washington State!

Fedzilla_Bob

04-18-2005, 20:14

So? We've had people come in from Washington State!
Wo fella.. wait until I get a C-44 before I start buying plane tickets! :)

If you go, let me know what you saw. It will be fun to hear.

Doug

04-18-2005, 23:09

There are always a few ardent Argus adherents at the PSPCA annual swap meet at the Puyallup Fairgrounds on the last Saturday of April... which is this coming Saturday! You can fly up here and learn all the history of Argus and have these enthusiasts sell you one of each!

Fedzilla_Bob

04-18-2005, 23:53

I only want one!:)

wierdcollector

04-19-2005, 03:09

I have a C44 and the 100mm lens. Nice camera, complex and funky lens mount. Pictures on par with my C4's. Also the V-100 was made by Illoca in Germany. I have two, both work sporadically, but have nice glass.

Krasnaya_Zvezda

04-19-2005, 05:33

And which Vodka is that?

Monopolowa.

Fedzilla_Bob

04-19-2005, 05:57

Monopolowa.
I learned something new this morning :)

You mean I can lose the prolitariat "Stoly?" :)

Krasnaya_Zvezda

04-19-2005, 07:12

I learned something new this morning :)

You mean I can lose the prolitariat "Stoly?" :)

Lose the Stoli. And the price, and the hangover that feels like an icepick in your cerebellum. Here, take it from the International Review of Spirits, 2003:

"Monopolowa Potato Vodka
Traveling to different distilleries throughout the world, we often wonder what makes one producer's wares different from the next. This is especially true of the unaged spirit and marketing phenomenon known as unflavored vodka, where one is distilled six hundred times, another is filtered through fossilized mastodon tusks, and the ultimate is based on Tutankhamen's original recipe. The jury is out—far out, in fact—on what matters in terms of making great tasting vodka as we continual see high priced, high concept brands thoroughly bested by modest, well made ones. This year was no exception, and the humble family owned, Monopolowa distillery showed that their creamy, super smooth, vodka was one of the world's best tasting and best value vodkas. Go figure. "

A shot of Monopolowa straight from the freezer is to define "smooth".

dll927

04-19-2005, 08:05

There must also have been a lot fewer C-44s than C-3s ("brick"). When I was a kid (I'm now covered by Medicare), it seemed like every other photographer had a brick. That was especially true of those who shot slide film. It was everyman's camera. If memory serves me, the C-44 was a later version of the C-4, which in turn was a somewhat advanced model of the brick. I think it even had interchangeable lenses, which was pretty hard to do on the 3.

J.Ed

04-19-2005, 15:14

I don't have the figures at hand but my guess ia approximately 750,000 metal bodied Argus were manufactured against the 2+ million bricks. But remember the bricks were in production for nearly 30 years.

Roman

04-19-2005, 15:46

Who'd a thunk that if I peep into this thread about those strange Argus camera, what would I find? A praisal of vodka from where I live...

Roman

Roman

04-19-2005, 15:53

...oh, and BTW, even though it is made here in Vienna Monopolowa is VERY hard to find. My favorites are Finlandia and especially Wyborowa.

Roman

Krasnaya_Zvezda

04-19-2005, 16:37

...oh, and BTW, even though it is made here in Vienna Monopolowa is VERY hard to find. My favorites are Finlandia and especially Wyborowa.

Roman

Isn't that interesting? It is on the shelf of every liquor store here in Dallas. And inexpensive, $19 for 1.75 litres.

Fedzilla_Bob

04-19-2005, 17:13

This is now Officially the C-44 and Vodka Thread,

Make mine a Vodka Martini, Monopolowa, Stirred w/2 onions.. + a side of a Cintagon 100mm lens.

Fedzilla_Bob

04-19-2005, 18:32

I now own a c-44 with Cowhide case and bag.

I will have to settle for Stoli until I have a bottle of Monopolowa.

Now the wait begins.

Fedzilla_Bob

04-19-2005, 19:23

This is what it looks like. I figure I can use the bag for all my cameras (not all at once). That is, If the shoulder strap is sturdy enough.

Krasnaya_Zvezda

04-19-2005, 19:31

Congrats on the fine purchase, I'll have a celebratory drink in honor of your new C-44.

Fedzilla_Bob

04-25-2005, 18:17

It has arrived, the Argus C-44. And, it's better than I thought. Well mostly, you will hear why later

This is a very solid camera. More so, than I had heard before. And it has a funky (I mean it) "California Saddle Leather" case. You can check out the photos below.

There is film inside of it, I exposed the last few frames. There are also two rolls of Ektachrome 400, unexposed.

The down side-- there is a camera bag that came with it. But it wreaks to high-heaven (and hell) of centuries of tar and nicotine. When I opened the box I nearly fell over. I felt I like was taking my first drag of one of my Father's unfiltered Chesterfield cigarettes. I honestly got woozy. Out of desperation I hosed the bag down with Fabreze. We will see how that turns out. I have some Cadilliac leather lotion waiting for it.

The shutter sounds as though it is trying to hit the right speeds, we'll see how that is later.

The photos...

Fedzilla_Bob

04-25-2005, 20:05

OK- two more images of the case :D

nwcanonman

04-25-2005, 22:39

Ain't it funny how nice the cases themselves are, but the straps are always broken? At least in the ones I've seen, hmmm!

nwcanonman

04-25-2005, 22:41

I'll post pics of the C-3 Matchmate, together with the C44, with it arrives hopefully this week ~ ; - )

Fedzilla_Bob

04-25-2005, 22:47

Hi- I was lucky the strap is in decent shape. It will be great to see your argus cameras when they come in.

Any tips on getting strong smoke smell out of leather? I have heard vinegar works. I will probably do that then towel dry it and follow up with leather lotion.

Bob H

nwcanonman

04-26-2005, 06:15

The "Fabreeze" suggestion is the only thing I've heard about the should work on tobacco smell. I works well in our house, and we have 5 dogs - RUFF! LOL. :D

Fedzilla_Bob

04-26-2005, 21:41

Febreeze didn't do it. It still reeks- badly.

Latest list of possibilities

Noxema
Sunlight
Zymol leather cleaner and lotion
Murphy's oil soap followed by leather lotion
Fumigate with ammonia then lotion
Place in a sealed container with charcoal from pet supply store
Fill with newspaper and place into a garbage bag filled with more newspaper

All of these were Googled or are anecdotal remedies from my wife and friends.

The original owner's lungs probably look worse than those of a coal miner.

The C-44 by itself does not reek. Apparently it was kept in the eveready case and that was kept in the bag.

The camera has been used but was well kept. Very little damage from cleaning marks on the lens.

nwcanonman

04-26-2005, 21:51

Well, good news about the C44.
So toss the leather case - problem solved ~ ; - )

CleverName

04-27-2005, 13:29

If you can't get rid of the smell of the bag, I smoke and probably wouldn't notice it so much. I'd be more than happy to take it off your hands :)

nwcanonman

04-27-2005, 14:14

Hi- I was lucky the strap is in decent shape. It will be great to see your argus cameras when they come in.
<snip<.......

Bob H

Bob,
My new Argus just arrived! Not the C44 I thought it was, it's a C-4 instead. It's all the extras with it that blew me away.
Tiffen series 5 lens adapter with Tiffen UV filter AND Tiffen sun-shade. A Kodak filter holder with a Wratten yellow filter, the flash attachment (with it's instructions) and a rubber lens cover, leather camera case and leather bag to hold evereything. Best of all a GE type DW86 lightmeter that WORKS (came in original box with instructions!) all for $9.99usd.

Fedzilla_Bob

04-27-2005, 16:47

Very cool kit you have there. Let us know when you get your first images. I think it deserves a cup-a-joe.

Fedzilla_Bob

04-29-2005, 10:31

If you can't get rid of the smell of the bag, I smoke and probably wouldn't notice it so much. I'd be more than happy to take it off your hands :)

Clevername- I doubt even you would miss the odor I encountered when I first got the camera and bag. I don't know if you remember your first cigarette, this bag brought it all back to me. I stopped smoking years ago (smokeless for 20 years) and my reaction was just like when I was 14 and sneeking off with one of my Father's cigarettes.

Actually, I am making progress with repeated sprayings of Fabreeze. The smell goes down about 2 notches for each treatment. This will be followed by a rubbing or two with Noxema. Then leather cleaner and lotion. You can tell I really want the bag. It's compact and will hold any of my cameras nicely along with film and an extra lens

Finally learned how to remove the lens to get a look at the shutter. It's monumental! The leaves are made of blued steel. However on my camera they have begun to rust. The shutter opens and closes just fine though. I will have a photo of this later. I suspect that a gentle cleaning with swabs dipped in Ronsonol with help to remove that rust. Any suggestions anyone?

I have been using my Blitz cloth (you can find them here (http://www.fatiguesarmynavy.com/store/item/MS3625) at a good price) and a "Pink Pearl" eraser to remove grunge and oxidation from the aluminum parts. The C-44 cleans up nicely. It even looks kind of swanky.

The shutter is loud, like a miniature crack of lightning. This camera sounds like it means business. Still, not as loud as my Canon T70.

Bob H

Fedzilla_Bob

04-29-2005, 10:37

BTW- since this was dubbed the C-44 and Vodka thread earlier, I have learned that Trader Joe's carries Monopolowa Vodka for $9.99 US. Which is a mighty fine price.

Krasnaya_Zvezda

04-29-2005, 11:13

That's the price for 750ml bottle here. Prosit!

Fedzilla_Bob

05-14-2005, 18:04

Good news- I have first film from my C-44 and I like what I see.

It seems a little soft focus, but I refuse to believe that Steinheil would produce lenses that are soft in the wrong way. I suspect two things-- First, my rangefinder may be slightly out of adjustment (there indications that I will describe later. Second-- The film pressure plate is beautifully chromed and "quilted" piece of metal (more on this as well).

Item the first--
The viewfinder is a little hazy. Not as bright as my FED2. There is no focus patch and I can see that when the two images match, they are misaligned in the oddest way I have seen to date-- they are off diagonally. Imagine two lines crossing each other at a very slight angle. Solutions anyone?

Item the second--
When light gets through the lens and then the film, what is left will bounce right of that beautifully chromed pressure plate and back through the film. Maybe I am nuts for thinking this. But, I am willing to bet that it does and that when it does it will diffuse the exposure enough to be noticable. I have a solution for this-- black gaffers tape.

Otherwise, I have some nice images from it shot with Kodak Gold 100. The colors are saturated which I figure is a characteristic of that film (it was on sale and 100 ASA which about all this camera can manage). You can see them here (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=4907)

Now, for the Leather bag that came with it-- It goes almost every where I do, barring bed, showers or the bathroom. It has been saddle-soaped, leather lotioned and siliconed to within an inch of it's long life (the bag is about 47 to 50 years old). It rarely smells like a cigarette at all. It is buttery smooth. My Bessa travels in it mostly, ocassionally joined by the Argus. The strap did not survive, it was cracked enough to make me worry about it's capablities. I replaced it with an extra Lowepro strap I had around.

I have pictures of it, the first showing the before, the others are the bag in it's restored glory.

Bob H

Fedzilla_Bob

05-14-2005, 19:50

Thanks Gman! I lost my internet connection here or else I would have seen your post sooner.

The bag was an interesting project in itself.

Any suggestions on the diagonal misalignment? Also, I am about to do the Canon QL17 following your fine instructions.

Fedzilla_Bob

05-15-2005, 13:07

I have discovered the one thing that smelled worse than the camera bag did...
Skunks, no one warned me that San Diego has tons of them. Our family pooch got nuked last night. Big Time.

Remedy-
# 1 quart (or liter) of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, H2O2.
Use fresh (unopened) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Hydrogen peroxide eventually turns into water (H2O).
# 1/4 cup (50 ml.) of Baking Soda
# 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) of Liquid Soap
# 1 pair of plastic or latex gloves

Wash the pet with it, don't get it in their eyes, the gloves will keep your hands from getting smelly. Follow up with a mild solution of Murphy's oil soap.

It worked, Angel is a 75 pound dog and she smells better than before she got skunked.