Argus c4 camera manual

The Argus Success played a major and often unappreciated part in 35mm history, helping ensure the popularity and survival of the 35 format!! Without Argus to really cement 35's firm popularity in the American market, there is no telling what film format Kodak would be pushing off on us in their "film flavor for the decade" style of marketing.

Despite its popularity, the C-4 lacked one important feature for the serious amateur photographer: interchangeable lenses. Apparently these conversions were only done for about two years, from to , until the new C came out. These Geiss modified C4's and C4R's are hard to find today, the lenses are even harder. Unusual for Argus, the failure of the Geiss C-4 seems to be marketing. Before going further, I should explain that the C-4 actually looks like a camera, unlike its cousin the C The C-4 has a sleek business like appearance about it, proclaiming to the Argus faithful that it was the next step up towards photographic nirvana.

C-4 features include. An excellent combined rangefinder-viewfinder with a very bright round rangefinder spot, and a large field finder easily seen by glasses wearers. As proclaimed by Modern Photography, the C-4's "viewing system is one of the best seen on any camera regardless of price.

A very nice focusing feature, compared to the Brick C, is the choice of focusing by either the rangefinder wheel OR by turning the lens barrel. If you are used to those pesky Leicas, lens barrel focusing is especially convenient and potentially faster too, compared to the RF wheel alone.

A streamlined die cast all metal body with all metal construction, a very handsome appearance. Hot shoe with M and X electronic flash settings , unusual for the time. Very easy film loading , the entire back removes for very easy access. The C-4's top mounted exposure counter is manually set, and counts backward.

The shutter release is unusually long, but smooth. On the other hand, this is a good one to learn some repairs on -- if it goes wrong, you're not horribly impacted A former member here has a useful post on this camera Rick Oleson [scroll to end for the range finder]. Last edited: Nov 25, JDMvW , Nov 25, There is an Argus-specific group, the Argus Collectors Group which has some info online and also has a forum on Yahoo Groups where some fairly knowledgeable folks hang out.

Here's a shot from the first roll. It was front focusing badly and nearly all the shots were bad, but this one has a sort of dreamy look. His site is amazing. I woder just how long it took him to post all the information he has on photography equipment?

I like the picture of the cat you took. I once had the chance to use a c4 camera, and it took really sharp pictures, but then the guy who owned it came and took it back. I hope you found the information you were looking for. Honestly, just get the Series 5 adapter, and use Series filters. It's easier - and cheaper - just to use the Series filters, instead of trying to find an Argus filter that fits, and is in usable condition.

I'm not sure Argus ever made anything other than Yellow and Red filters - well, and some long-obsolete color-correction filters. The available Series V filters are considerably more varied Michael, I think you might be referring to the Argus C3 on the filter size.