What model Argus? I received this Argus camera back in the early 60's and just ran across it the other day. Can anyone identify the model or tell me anything about it. I used it...

ScubaDude Loc: Chandler, AZ

I received this Argus camera back in the early 60's and just ran across it the other day. Can anyone identify the model or tell me anything about it. I used it casually into the 70's but don't remember much else about it.

Ken1146

If memory serves me correctly, that is an Argus C3. I had one of these in the early 1960s. I still see them in antique shops.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

Most definately the C3, probably the most popular camera in it day....

tkhphotography Loc: Gresham, Or, not Seattle

ScubaDude wrote:

I received this Argus camera back in the early 60's and just ran across it the other day. Can anyone identify the model or tell me anything about it. I used it casually into the 70's but don't remember much else about it.

My first camera; had to "learn" about exposure with it.

ScubaDude Loc: Chandler, AZ

tkhphotography wrote:

ScubaDude wrote:

I received this Argus camera back in the early 60's and just ran across it the other day. Can anyone identify the model or tell me anything about it. I used it casually into the 70's but don't remember much else about it.

My first camera; had to "learn" about exposure with it.

I'm sure I probably learned something using it, but the 60's are a blur - free love, free drugs, a free trip to Southeast Asia. Here's the 'cheat sheet' that's mounted inside the case. Don't recall that it took a whole lot of experience to use it, which is probably why it was popular in it's day - not really typical lens speeds or f-stops, just numbers.

ltruex Loc: Waco TX

Well I suffer from that second or third thing to go, for I have seen one of these back in the day, but don't remember the days...But can tell you it's old though not as old as I. L3

ScubaDude wrote:

quote=tkhphotography quote=ScubaDude I received ... (show quote)

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

There are photos of various Argus models here. Yours appears to be a C-3 manufactured between 1958-1966. Mine is shown in the previous photo of models manufactured between 1939-1957. Mine has the shutter release shown on the upper left, protruding up. I bought it in 1954, or thereabouts, from earnings on my first job while in high school.

http://photo.net/users/philster/Argus/ReferenceGuide.htm

ScubaDude Loc: Chandler, AZ

Thank you. That site was perfect. It's official, it's the Match-Matic C3. I just found the accompanying Argus light meter as shown in the picture. Happy Holidays!

steve40 Loc: Asheville/Canton, NC, USA

Argus C3 Matchmatic, the ugliest camera ever made. Or so I thought!, but that was before the C33, EEEEEEEUUUUUU. :shock: :thumbdown:

kschwegl Loc: Orangeburg, NY

That is a C3. I had one years ago, my first "real" camera, back in '63.

twitcher32 Loc: North Carolina/Costa Rica

I had an Argus C3 and may still do - somewhere. I don't know what model your Argus is, but I had some good pictures taken with mine. Shoot a roll of film with it and see how it works. Old cameras are fun and challenging to work with.

jolly1

I still have two or three of the old Argus C-3's stuck up on a shelf somewhere in the house. One of the best cameras ever made. I sold many a photo taken with them. They took many a beating in traveling all over the world that other cameras would have never survived. Photography was simple and fun back in the Argus days. Now it's too complicated and takes too much thought and work to turn out a half way decent photo.

JackKLE Loc: Missouri , USA, St. Louis Metro

ScubaDude wrote:

I received this Argus camera back in the early 60's and just ran across it the other day. Can anyone identify the model or tell me anything about it. I used it casually into the 70's but don't remember much else about it.

Yep, it's a "C-3". I have two identical to yours.

ljmeis Loc: Bedford MA

ScubaDude wrote:

I received this Argus camera back in the early 60's and just ran across it the other day. Can anyone identify the model or tell me anything about it. I used it casually into the 70's but don't remember much else about it.

My first camera. A late model C3-note grey hand grip and flash shoe. Interchangeable lenses, noted for good Tessar formula. One weakness - part of shutter mechanism made of soft "pot metal". When this broke camera worked but in default 1/30 sec mode. I bought this used in 1958 and took it to Bermuda on my honeymoon. Two thirds of my slides were usable, one third lost.
I still have a fully functioning one in my collection of cameras I have used.
Len

naturalite Loc: Up state NY

That is so cool! This camera model is the one I found in a phone booth in San Francisco back in 1970.
I wished I still had it, but alas I traded it off for an old 1959 Buick in 1972.