Got my C3 and autronic

[toylas]

I got my C3 today off of ebay. It looks a little beat up but all the controls seem to work. I'm still gonna open it up over the weekend and tidy it up a little bit before I run a roll through it. Now here are a few questions:

1) The obvious one: Any specific precautions while CLA-ing the camera? It will be my very first CLA ever! I will be very careful but wanted to know if there's anything very specific I should keep in mind. I'll mainly be following instructions here:

http://www.arguscg.org/manuals/c3/schenken-repair/

2) One of my main concerns is the back of the camera. There doesn't seem to be any locking mechanism when closing the camera back. It just closes and fits in snugly. I fear it might open with an accidental brush with something. Is it just this copy or is it a common feature? Any suggestions about this?

3) It's lost some leatherette. Where can I find some? would ebay be a good place? or some other online stores? Any ideas about using things already available at home instead?


About the Autronic: It seems to be in better condition.

1) Is there a way to fully manually control the aperture/shutter etc?
2) Where can I find a manual for it?

I also got two flashes with them. The ones that fit into the sides. Here are two questions about the flashes.

1) What batteries do I use in them?
2) Where can I find bulbs for them? (IF it's possible)

Any help with these questions would be great help. I can't wait to clean the beasts up and shoot some film.

Thanks,
Tulasi

[Mr_Flibble]

On the argus

1 Not particularly, the C-3 is a pretty straight forward, don't drown the parts in oil and you'll be fine.


2 Normally a metal lip on the left side of the body should catch the folded-over edge of the backplate and keep it locked. Might be the spring has gone out of this lip, you could try folding it outwards a little bit.
You can see it here: http://www.gfoxphoto.com/Resources/mg8070a.jpeg

3 Cameraleather.com is the place apparently, though I've seen people make there own C-3 Coverings.

[Muggins]

My Matchmatic C3 closes with a sturdy "click", and opening it is like trying to get into a nun's drawers, so it does sound as though something is not quite right. You should be able to throw it at a wall without it springing open (NB this may damage the wall).

Here's some inspiration for a new colour scheme: http://www.merrillphoto.com/images/argusrecovered/brick%20brick.jpg

(if they were as common in the UK as they are in the US I'd have done that myself by now. Over here, though, they are like hen's teeth).

Hope that helps.

Adrian

[Proteus617]

As to Argus C3 advice: You can gain enough access to the rangefinder mirror just by taking the front plate off. I've never found reason to remove the rangefinder assembly. When re-skinning, it looks like removing the shutter speed dial will makes things easier. Don't do it. Catching the linkage behind the dial is almost impossible after the faceplate is on.

[julio1fer]

There is an Army repair manual:

http://arguscg.tripod.com/id92.html

And of course Rick Oleson's pages (the following explains how the shutter works but look at the other links there):

http://members.tripod.com/rick_oleson/index-120.html

Shutter is very easy to clean / repair. RF adjustment is straightforward, but very sensitive, it takes time and care.

Please tell us how it comes out!

[toylas]

Thanks for the input guys! It actually was very simple. I just needed to refer to the repairing page only once or twice. The shutter needed oiling. It seems to be working relatively fine after that. Cleaned the VF, RF and lens. Only two things remaining.

1) Importantly: How do I make sure that the shutter speeds are correct? 1/300 sounds OK, 1/10 sounds OK but am just guessing. In between, the shutter speed controlling lever does not seem to move much from 1/100 to 1/50 or from 1/50 to 1/25. I guess it might be but I'm not sure.

2) It needs a new skin. The old one was too old and cracked while opening the camera.

But I'm gonna take the camera out in the field at the break of dawn in the morning. Naked, without the leatherette! I'll have to use 1/300 for most part as it's a bright day tomorrow so not worried about shutter accuracy that much.

Going to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge here in Delaware. Oh that reminds me I need to charge batteries for my D80. Please do let me know how I can confirm the shutter speeds.

ciao,
Tulasi

[toylas]

Thanks for the input guys! It actually was very simple. I just needed to refer to the repairing page only once or twice. The shutter needed oiling. It seems to be working relatively fine after that. Cleaned the VF, RF and lens. Only two things remaining.

1) Importantly: How do I make sure that the shutter speeds are correct? 1/300 sounds OK, 1/10 sounds OK but am just guessing. In between, the shutter speed controlling lever does not seem to move much from 1/100 to 1/50 or from 1/50 to 1/25. I guess it might be but I'm not sure.

2) It needs a new skin. The old one was too old and cracked while opening the camera.

But I'm gonna take the camera out in the field at the break of dawn in the morning. Naked, without the leatherette! I'll have to use 1/300 for most part as it's a bright day tomorrow so not worried about shutter accuracy that much.

Going to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge here in Delaware. Oh that reminds me I need to charge batteries for my D80. Please do let me know how I can confirm the shutter speeds.

ciao,
Tulasi