Argus 21 Markfinder

[StanMac]

I got the 21 Markfinder out to get ready for Argust Day. I acquired the camera a couple of years ago while I was having an Argus GAS attack, but I’ve never run film through it. I wanted to see if the shutter was still working, but it wouldn’t cock as I turned the film wind knob. Then I remembered that the shutter was cocked, and frame counter advanced as the film was advanced and the film traveled over the toothed guide wheel during winding. So I opened the back and turned that wheel by hand to cock the shutter. Man, it was stiff! So stiff that I’m concerned that the film sprocket holes may tear out during film advancing. Do any other Argus fans know if this kind of stiffness is normal for this camera or if I need to get the shutter cocking linkages cleaned and lubed before Argust Day?

BTW, I did get the shutter cocked and it did fire - with authority! Those Argus leaf shutters aren’t made for stealth photography!

Stan

 

[TheRook]

To test film advance, I usually run a dedicated test roll through the camera several times to make sure the mechanism works properly and won't destroy a good roll of film.
Although I don't have a 21 Markfinder, I do own and frequently use the very similar Argus 4, and the advance is a bit stiff when compared to all of my other cameras. I've always assumed that this was due to the simplistic film advance mechanism design.

 

[StanMac]

Thanks, Rook. I shoulda thought of that myself! I do have some found film rolls that I could use for that.

Stan