a2b

[-doomed-]

I have this problem of buying things i dont need ,while its not a rangefinder its a neat little camera, after trying to sell it , and realizing that no one seems to want it i decided id keep it . Plus my local camera shop says they arent worth much.

I did the reading on how it works and hope to fire a roll through it and see what i get.
Anyone have any experience with these things? Any shots from one?
Ths one is basically mint condition.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/a2gti16v/camera0120.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/a2gti16v/camera0121.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/a2gti16v/camera0122.jpg

[cmogi10]

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

[-doomed-]

I like it ... that is a serious bare bones camera! :p
it has a "meter" , but overall absolutely basic.
Two position focus 6 to 15 feet and 15 feet to infinity.
Im taking it out tomorrow to see what i can do with it

[rg hensley]

I have noticed a trend lately, every time I find a new type camera to start adding to my collection and start the process of looking for that type, the price range jumps to the top of the food chain, ex: Yashicas were low until I started buying, now I have started looking at the dear ole made in the USA Argus and everyone wants a small mint for their classic. Just bought a Argus Match-Matic, and not for the proverbial $5.00-$9.00 everyone else seems to get them for in the original box w/manual, mint Exc+++++ condition, those cost me alot more than a few bucks. Don't get me wrong, I do look for the ones that look and are discribed as mint, orig. owner and or belonged to Dad and I exspect to pay to get a quality item, I bought so many Yashicas that were anything but and learned how to overhaul all the mint deals I got on evil bay. Since getting bite by the camera bug, I have learned a few things besides just how to take a photograph. My advice, keep it. The min. I start to look for one like it to add to my collection, they will triple in value. Besides looks too good to get rid of anyway, use it and enjoy.:eek:

[radiocemetery]

Nice A2B. This model is on my list. I have a C4 and a C3 and just gifted my son in law with another C3. I like the Argus family. This site has some good info. and a couple of pictures taken with the "A" Arguses (Argi?).


http://ldtomei.googlepages.com/argusfa1950-51

Steve

[-doomed-]

on your list of cameras to add to your collection?
i like this thing but for the right price everything is for sale.
Although i really should develop the roll before i decide to sell this thing , it is fun to use and it is a nice vintage shooter

[Stanton]

As I recall, Steve Gandy, on Cameraquest website, has a number of photos taken by an Argus A. I have the A, the A2b missing the extinction screen in the front of the "meter," and the focusing model of the A. Haven't used them. But I was happily shocked wiith the quality my Argus C3 delivered. Dave

[BrunoK]

cmogi10

PM sent re: your request

[tyrone.s]

I have noticed a trend lately, every time I find a new type camera to start adding to my collection and start the process of looking for that type, the price range jumps to the top of the food chain,

I think these low prices are a bit of a myth as far as buying off the Internet is concerned. I was bidding on an A2B last year in nice condition and gave up at something like US $30! And I would have had to pay shipping on top of that. :bang:

So I can certainly empathise with you on that point. I'm still looking for an A of any sort. Of course having said this, a heap of people will now say how they grabbed one off the 'bay for $1.00 buy it now complete with the depression era house they bought in (plus taxes of course).

The original poster's A looks lovely.

[radiocemetery]

I agree about the prices on the "A" series. Here in the US the C3 is frequently seen at estate or garage sales for a few bucks. I haven't seen very many A series though. I have been outbid on that auction site also. Part of the problem with the bay is that it is impossible to tell sometimes if the little gel filter and the rest of the parts of the extinction meter are still there. When I get an A2B, I want to be able to shoot with it.

Doomed, please show us some results when you finish that roll of film.:cool:

Steve

[-doomed-]

will do i finished the roll i just need to get it developed , im short on cash(being in college sucks at times) so itll have to wait until friday :(.

I think these low prices are a bit of a myth as far as buying off the Internet is concerned. I was bidding on an A2B last year in nice condition and gave up at something like US $30! And I would have had to pay shipping on top of that. :bang:

So I can certainly empathise with you on that point. I'm still looking for an A of any sort. Of course having said this, a heap of people will now say how they grabbed one off the 'bay for $1.00 buy it now complete with the depression era house they bought in (plus taxes of course).

The original poster's A looks lovely.

I paid $27.00 for mine , it was 30 something shipped to my door ,not the cheapest,but it is pretty much immaculate, the viewfinder is a little cloudy but it still works so i cant complain. I did a little reading on it figure out how to use it and now i shot a roll with it. Id love to find a case for it to keep it looking as pristine as it does now.

[-doomed-]

Ran that roll , need to scan the two that came out ok from the roll, it would probably respond better to the bw400cn ive been shooting with . i should have the shots that somewhat worked on tuesday up.

Id use this again now that i know what to expect from it.Plus now im determined to get some decent shots out of it , once i get used to the distances i think it will be decent , there were some dark shots from that roll that were pretty clear , ill scan in what i have.

I added to my argus collection tonight and bought an argoflex E metal body , i know its not a rangefinder but its funny that i added another argus to the camera collection.

[-doomed-]

No excuses for the poor quality , but its the first time ive used a camera like this
I shot this at f18 at 1/150th on 400 speed fuji superia
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/2962488431_e6f5f0c10f.jpg
f4.5 on t with some shake, no fires though :D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/2962488485_5dfb987995.jpg
and finally the land of blue parking lots f18 1/150th
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2963332930_be36ac8016.jpg

[cheers]

that looks really clean for an old bakelite camera

[-doomed-]

its in fantastic shape , no chips and all the chrome is looking brand new, this has either been redone or hardly used.

[Kin Lau]

Very neat... GeneM just posted some images from some found film in a A2B.

http://westfordcomp.com/foundfilm/argusaoctober2008/ArgusA2B-1.html

[-doomed-]

im hoping this next roll that i just shot in it comes out better

[Migracer]

The Argus being dear to my heart is the reason I am in this forum. I have owned a C3 since 1976 I still use the camera.

In looking at the old pictures shot by these cameras I saw many blurred results. I gave some thought as to why? It was the film speed. These cameras were designed in a period where ASA 64 was the fast film. Like you I tried the fast films with dismal results. Then I ran a roll of Ectachrome 64 and everything came into focus. Since then I always use slower film. I have attached two pictures as encouragement to give your camera a chance. The sharpness of these lenses is incredible. I have been using Kodak and Fuji ASA 200 film i got cheap processing with CD from Walmart. The Kodak 35 is very close to youe camera.

[-doomed-]

I have decided ill keep it , its in such good shape and works , ill just need to use the slower speed film in it as you suggested , these are also blurry because i scanned the prints on my flatbed scanner which obliterates the details , the shots actually look decent on the prints i got
as long as i gauge my distance correctly they stay pretty clear.

[FramerKat]

I got one of the post war A2b models on eBay for a steal...one reason being the seller described it as an "Argus Anastigmat" since there's no indication of the model name on the body of the camera. I purchased it simply because of aesthetics and if it worked, it was a bonus. I've got a roll of film in in now to try it out. I've had some success in the past with my C-3, so thought this would be fun. And it's in as good shape as yours is! Lucky us!

[Proteus617]

I have an Argus AF waiting for action. Great info from the Argus A/A2 camera page (http://theargusa.com/Photos.htm)including a great gallery and an extensive modern user/repair/mod guide for the a series. Anyone lese out there have an AF? Is the lens supposed to be able to spin 360s when extended?

[-doomed-]

I hadnt used mine in a bit so now the shutter sticks , looks like ill have to free it up and get to using it again.

[rjbuzzclick]

I have an early, single sprocket A, an AF, and a non working A I made into a pinhole. I think the AF is my favorite. I've started using a cable release instead of the shutter release lever on the lens, which I find greatly reduces camera shake when taking a photo. You just need to make sure that the plunger on the cable release is flat, not rounded (as most modern ones are), otherwise it will slip off the internal lever it mates with and bend it to the side.

Proteus617, yes, the lens is supposed to spin all the way around, just like on the A.

[Mr_Flibble]

Received my Argus A last week, the shutter needed some attention as it would only work on 1/200th, T and B settings. And the pressure plate was missing as the foam holding it in place had deteriorated and crumbled away.

I oiled all the pivot points mentioned in "35mm for the Proletariat", but after putting it together only 1/200th was still working. So I opened it up again and traced the problem back to two springs that had lost some of their tension. I bent them slightly and Presto! working shutter!

For the pressure plate I used a double layer of 0.5mm Plasticard as you can find in a shop for model trains or other scale model projects. I sanded down the edges slightly and cut the foam from some computer part packaging.

http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg143/albums/userpics/10001/ArgusA.jpg

After assembling it I painted the surface black with some acrylic paint (Citadel's Chaos Black)

Ready for use!

[Ranger Copy]

Thought i would jump on the wagon.
I recently acquired a A2B which looks to be in excellent shape. However the graphics in the manual let alone the instructions leave the untrained perplexed.

Dear Mr. Fibble
How much for a CLA.... :)

[Mr_Flibble]

Heh, I've not opened an A2B shutter before.
CLA Cost would depend on if I could get it back together again afterwards. ;)

The results from my A weren't quite so interesting, mainly because the ILEX Shutter has a nasty tendency to increase the chance of camera shake :(
Tripods and stumpy release cables are the way to go with the Argus A

These are from February with some Adox 100 film
http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg143/albums/userpics/10001/ArgusA04.jpg

http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg143/albums/userpics/10001/ArgusA06.jpg