Camera Talk

Yes, it was that particular day in August where the year date determines when everyone should dig their Argus out of the closet, and shoot a roll of film.

I loaded my C-3 with some Kodak ProFoto XL 100, grabbed the bag of lenses, and headed out. Wasn't sure at first where I was going to head, but finally settled on going up to Paint Bank, since the light would be good for getting some shots of the fish hatchery.

I also wanted to test out some repairs I did on my Soligor 4.5/135. I had opened it up for a cleaning, and somehow got one of the elements reversed, and hadn't shot it since the first time I tested it (which is when the reversed element was discovered). And I also wanted to give the Sandmar 4.5/35 a workout, as I didn't get many shots in color with it before.

The Soligor works Fine, but the Sandmar flares. After the first few attempts to clear up the photos, I figured out I could use the burn tool to get rid of most of the diffuseness.

No skipped frames this time, I made sure not to wind until I was preparing for a shot. The clip-on 35/100 finder adds more parallax than I was expecting, and a smaller viewing image too. So it was nice to have a bit of lee-way when it came time to crop the photos.

Hope to shoot some of my Argi more often than once a year.

PF

With the Sandmar 4.5/35


Geodesic by br1078phot, on Flickr


Into The Early Morning by br1078phot, on Flickr


Shadow Self by br1078phot, on Flickr


Potts Mountain Overlook by br1078phot, on Flickr

With the Soligor 4.5/135


Hay In The Valley by br1078phot, on Flickr


Johns Creek Valley by br1078phot, on Flickr

More pictures at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N ... 529801815/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I forgot to take my brick out this year. The lens is very decent and your results show it. I like that self-portrait in the shadow lines of the bridge.

Nice work Phil,

I have never felt sorry for the man who had an Argus camera in good working order. Even the oldest C-3s with non-coated lenses took quality photos. And the 50mm/2.8 on the C-44 seems as good as a Tessar.

Best,
Dennis

Nice work, Phil.
I am ashamed to say I completely forgot about Argust 14. (Like 13, etc.)

Phil, you found a fine setting for your ARGosy. I can't remember now exactly what the idea was behind the geodesic dome-- was that the brainchild of Buckminster Fuller? Anyway, regardless of its earth-based name, it seems oddly out of place in that beautiful spot. Several Argus C-3s came into my hands a while back, but I never developed a feel for them; so I sold them back when Argus (or somebody who had bought the name) was buying bodies in order to restore and re-issue the C-3, a project that was dropped. Has that project been documented by some Argus fan?

Bill Delehanty

Thanks, all.

Wow, that is some old history, Bill. I remember reading about that a long time ago, but like you said, nothing ever came of it. They probably didn't offer enough money for their working stock.

I've got several C-3's in various editions, and even though they may all look the same, they don't all handle the same. Subtle differences in the parts make the feel of each one unique. My favorite is the later model Color Match, with the nice flat shutter button.

PF