Argus C-44?

Fedzilla_Bob · 04-17-2005

Any Argus C-44 owners/users here?

I am curious about this camera and it's quirks or bonuses. I see them around now and then and wonder about them.

Wayne R. Scott · 04-17-2005

Check this site:

http://arguscg.tripod.com/id148.html

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

Wayne

yashicalynx · 04-17-2005

nice cameras,basically a C4 with odd ,quirky and fiddly bayonet mount lenses.

jon_flanders · 04-17-2005

I have an Argus C4, which is quite nice, in the Leica clone tradition. I have only shot one roll of film with it,. The top shutter speed is 1/300, which limits it to slower film.

If you have a line on a good C44, get it. Not too many classic cameras made in the US, after all.

Fedzilla_Bob · 04-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon_flanders

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

Quote:

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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

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

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

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

. I'll catch a c-44 on my dime. That is nearly what it costs.

Krasnaya_Zvezda · 04-18-2005

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

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

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

GordonSBuck · 04-18-2005

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by GordonSBuck

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.

Then the price is right. I am seeing low prices for these.

Krasnaya_Zvezda · 04-18-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fedzilla_Bob

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

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fedzilla_Bob

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlw

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.

Wayne

Fedzilla_Bob · 04-18-2005

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fedzilla_Bob

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...