Argus C33 |
Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in USA from 1959 to 1961.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 3270
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Argus
The Argus C2 and C3 cameras have a parallelepiped shape. Their form and weight have earned them the nickname "Brick." They are 35 mm cameras (135 film) with a rangefinder coupled to the focus distance adjustment. The lens is interchangeable, with the standard being the Cintar 3.5/50 mm lens optimized for color. The Micromatic shutter allows speeds from 1/5 to 1/300, plus the B (bulb) mode. The silhouette is distinctive, featuring a notched wheel with a rangefinder window in the middle. Rotating it drives both the lens and rangefinder adjustments through a gear mechanism. For nearly thirty years, the camera saw minimal external changes, with the most noticeable being the lens shape.
The inventor of patent No. 2,298,787, which encompasses the Argus C, is the Belgian Gustave Fassin. The applicant is International Industries Inc, based in Ann Arbor. The filing took place on December 6, 1939, and the publication occurred on October 13, 1942.
On October 20, 1941, Argus filed a patent for a shutter improvement (on the right), with Clinton H. Harris listed as the inventor. The silhouette matches that of the C2/C3.
The C2, C3, and their derivatives were significant commercial successes in the United States. The longevity of these models was exceptionally remarkable. An attempt to modernize it in 1959 with the Argus C33 didn't gain much traction. The C3, particularly popular in families, even managed to make its way into the world of cinema, in the hands of one of the characters in the Harry Potter saga.
Models and variants :
Years | Special features | ||
C | 1938 | No coupled rangefinder | |
C2 | 1939-41 | No flash synchronization | |
C3 | 1941-52 | No Argus nameplate on the front | |
C3 | 1952-58 | Argus nameplate on the front | |
C3 | 1958-66 | Lens settings visible from the top of the camera | |
C3 Matchmatic | 1958-66 | Beige color, delivered with a removable light meter | |
Golden Shield | 1958- | Special coating, delivered with a removable light meter | |
C33 | 1959-61 | Modernization attempt |
The C33 was an attempt to modernize the concept of the "brick." A lever for advancing the film while simultaneously cocking the shutter was introduced. The rangefinder was integrated into the viewfinder. The lenses were interchangeable and easier to switch compared to the C3. Unfortunately, the lenses from the C3 couldn't be mounted on the C33.
A selenium light meter could be purchased as an accessory. It was attached to the shutter speed dial, allowing simultaneous adjustment of the speed and providing this information to the light meter.
In short, it turned out to be a failure because the improvement came too late and didn't bring the camera up to the level of German or Japanese competitors. The traditional C3 continued to be manufactured for five years after the discontinuation of this model.
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