Argus Argus 40

Photos by JMB text by JMB. From the collection of JMB. Last update 2026-04-20 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in USA from (Circa) 1955 to (Circa) 1955.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 10391

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Argus

Argus is known for its Argus C3 cameras, and a whole range of other 35 mm cameras, but was also a manufacturer of more or less advanced TLRs. These cameras, using 620 film and producing 6 x 6 cm negatives, are made of plastic, except for two metal models.
Some models have a coupling between the taking lens and the viewing lens, thus providing true reflex focusing. Many are fixed-focus, others have a distance setting but without any effect in the viewfinder.
The shutters are modest.

On July 29, 1949, Leonard A. Wilkinson, inventor, and Argus Cameras, Inc. filed patent No. 2,664,799 for a system coupling shutter cocking and film advance, in order to prevent double exposures. The drawings of this patent depict a TLR.

Model	Years	Construction	Lens	Shutter		Selling price

Argoflex E	1940-49	Bakelite	4.5/75	Argus 1/10 to 1/200, B, T	Basic Argoflex model. Coupled lenses	$61.12 (1949)
Argoflex II	1947-48	Metal	Varex 4.5/75	1/10 to 1/200, B, T synchro	Coupled lenses	$879.054 (1947)
Argoflex EF	1949-51	Metal	Varex 4.5/75	1/10 to 1/200, B, T sync	Coupled lenses	$74.75 (1949)
Argoflex EM	1949	Metal	Varex 4.5/75	1/10 to 1/200, B, T	Like the Argoflex EF. but without flash sync. coupled lenses	$64.40 (1949)
Argoflex Seventy-five	1949-57	Plastic	f/13	sync	Fixed focus	$14.89 (1950)
Argoflex 40	1951-53	Plastic	f/4.5	1/25 to 1/150, B sync	Fixed focus Improved version of the Argoflex Seventy-five	$39.95 (1951)
Argus Seventy-five	1955-58	Plastic	f/13	I, T	Fixed focus	$14.95 (1956)
Argus Super Seventy-five	1955-58	Plastic	Lumar 8/65	I, T Sync	Like the Argoflex Seventy-five. but with distance adjustment.	$22.50 (1956)
Argus 75	1958-64	Plastic	Lumar /75	I, T	Fixed focus + brown color
Argus 40	c.1955	Plastic	4.5/75	1/25 to 1/150, B	similar characteristics to those of the Super Seventy-five	$37.95 (1955)

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The Argus 40 appears to be a late incarnation of the series. The front section around the lenses has been redesigned. Distance adjustment is possible but does not appear to be visible in the viewfinder. The central shutter allows speeds of 1/25 to 1/150, plus Bulb mode.

Interesting links or bibliography :

Sur Camera-wiki.org, suggested by Sylvain Halgand

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