Argus C3

Nikon Collector · Sep 19, 2013

My first 35mm camera was "the brick" I see a lot of ads for them on ebay and they reference interchangeable lens, I don't remember this feature on mine, also I've decided to experiment with the Russian Fed's, what shud I try FED2 FED5 etc

erikg · Sep 19, 2013

They, the Argus that is, have screw mount lenses. Although I don't know how extensive the lens options are. I know there is some type of tele.

summicron1 · Sep 19, 2013

the C 3 "brick" took a 35mm lens and a 100 mm lens as well as the standard 50. To remove it you unscrew the cap on top of the gear between the lens and the focusing knob, remove the gear and unscrew the lens. New lens screwed in, put the gear back (resetting the lens to infinity on the rangefinder scale is by trial and error" and put the cap back on.

not exactly a quick system to use.

flatulent1 · Sep 19, 2013

I picked up a pair of lenses for my father's C3 on ebay a year or two ago. Read the directions on removing the lens from the camera body, got it to turn somewhat, then noticed a retaining bar that wouldn't let the lens turn any more. Never did get it off, then set everything aside in disgust. I don't see them handy at the moment, so I can't tell you what they were, other than a wide angle and a tele. One of these days...

flatulent1 · Sep 20, 2013

summicron1 said:
To remove it you unscrew the cap on top of the gear between the lens and the focusing knob...

The edge of the cap fits into a slot on the side of the lens, and will only unscrew so far before it hits the top of the slot. I can't remove mine. Any suggestions?

E. von Hoegh · Sep 20, 2013

flatulent1 said:
The edge of the cap fits into a slot on the side of the lens, and will only unscrew so far before it hits the top of the slot. I can't remove mine. Any suggestions?

Try reading the instructions?

http://www.cameramanuals.org/argus/argus_c-3.pdf

I'd suggest page 20...

flatulent1 · Sep 20, 2013

Yes, I read it. My response to a recent PM...

Step one... check.
Step two... the cap doesn't unscrew far enough to allow me to remove it, let alone the idler gear. The edge of the cap fits into a slot around the lens, and this slot prevents the cap from being turned far enough to remove it. I'm afraid if I force it I'll bend the screw.

E. von Hoegh · Sep 20, 2013

flatulent1 said:
Yes, I read it. My response to a recent PM...

Did you set the lens to three feet, as per the instructions? Does the distance scale on the lens coincide with that on the RF dial?

flatulent1 · Sep 20, 2013

Set to three feet, yes. No distance scale on my 50mm Cintar.

E. von Hoegh · Sep 21, 2013

flatulent1 said:
Set to three feet, yes. No distance scale on my 50mm Cintar.

All I can think of, is perhaps someone had it apart who didn't know the procedure for reinstalling the lens and got it out of synch. Is there any setting of the focus on the lens (disregarding the RF) that will give clearance? Have you used it and do the RF and lens track focus properly? Also, I wonder if some of the early ones didn't have the interchangeable lens feature.

flatulent1 · Sep 21, 2013

Is there any setting of the focus on the lens (disregarding the RF) that will give clearance?

No, I've tried that a few times.

Have you used it and do the RF and lens track focus properly?

No, I haven't used it yet. But it was my father's, and our family photos from the 1960s were 'acceptably sharp'.

Also, I wonder if some of the early ones didn't have the interchangeable lens feature.

I've started wondering about that myself. If I get really desperate I could always get out the Dremel and grind the cap down...

summicron1 · Sep 22, 2013

if you focus the lens all the way out you SHOULD have enough clearance. If it won't, I'm not sure what the problem is. If you want to try the interchangable lenses, I'd suggest finding another camera rather than dremeling and so on...$20 and you're there.

jmccl@yahoo.com · Sep 23, 2013

Try contacting the Argus collectors group

http://www.arguscg.org/

E. von Hoegh · Sep 23, 2013

flatulent1 said:
No, I've tried that a few times.

No, I haven't used it yet. But it was my father's, and our family photos from the 1960s were 'acceptably sharp'.

I've started wondering about that myself. If I get really desperate I could always get out the Dremel and grind the cap down...

That's about my impression from mine. IIRC the Cintar lens is a triplet. Until I saw this thread, I'd almost forgotten I have one of these!
Sorry I couldn't help.

Argus C3

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