Argust 10th - Argus Day

DWThomas

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 13, 2006
Messages
4,605
Location
SE Pennsylvania
Format
Multi Format
Alas, this annual event appears to be a bit rocky organizationally, but official word just appeared that it is intended to happen again in 2010. On August -- er -- Argust -- 10th, get one or two of your old Argi out and shoot some pictures. Pick two to submit to appear on the Argus Day Flickr gallery.

The thread at Argus Group on Flickr explains most of what little there is to explain.

These senior citizens of the camera world (and maybe even the photographers behind them! ) need an occasional run to limber up the mechanics anyway.

DaveT, owner of a 1958 vintage C3, bought new as his first 35mm camera
 

Rick A

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
9,925
Location
Laurel Highlands
Format
8x10 Format
My first Argus C-3 was stolen out of my buddies car, and replaced with another(that also disappeared). I have another C-3 that one of my neighbors bought at the BX in Korea in 1960 when he was in the army. I suppose I should load a roll in it and join in the fun.
 

flatulent1

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2008
Messages
1,505
Location
Seattle USA
Format
Multi Format
I still have my father's C-3. He took all the family photos in the 1960's on Plus-X, even scribbled some exposure information inside the case. Immaculate condition, leather case with broken strap, and the collapsible fan-type flash bulb reflector. No idea if the camera works now. I see I'm going to have to dig it out from under whatever heap it is currently residing. If only I had some Plus-X...
 

Rick A

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
9,925
Location
Laurel Highlands
Format
8x10 Format
Plus-X is easy to get, I want some Verichrome-pan or Panatomic-X, ooh, maybe some Kodacolor or even better yet, K-25(drool). Thats all the stuff I used to shoot when I was starting out. I have a roll of Plus-X to shoot, but I think I'll use some Lucky 100.
 
OP
OP

DWThomas

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 13, 2006
Messages
4,605
Location
SE Pennsylvania
Format
Multi Format
The ten-day weather guesser claims it will be sunny, so I think I'll use the remaining roll of Fujifilm 200 that's been floating around here since Argust 8th. (I don't shoot a lot of 35 mm lately.) Last year I got decent results on Ektar 100 -- a joint venture of the new and the old!

Locally, I've gotten a little shy of Plus-X. To cover a sudden desire to shoot some a few years back, I walked into the closest excuse for a pro shop and asked if they had any. They did, in 36 exposure, so following the old adage, if you have to ask, you can't afford it, I said "give me three rolls." Almost choked when, with the Pa sales tax, it was over $23 (and would have been about $14 from B&H). A print from one shot won a modest award in a local show, so I guess it was worth it.

Kodachrome was ASA 10 in my first C3 outings! I remember getting excited about Ektachrome being really fast at 32.
 

colrehogan

Member
Joined
May 11, 2004
Messages
2,011
Location
St. Louis, M
Format
Large Format Pan
Sorry, you can't have my last roll of K25. But, I could put it through my dad's Argus C3.
 

flatulent1

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2008
Messages
1,505
Location
Seattle USA
Format
Multi Format
I may pass on the Plus-X, I already have two or three different B&W films scattered about here. Maybe I should load it up with Portra 160NC instead. That way I won't have to wait 'til the middle of September to have it processed.

Ooh, I found it! Let's see... No power switch. No AF. No motor drive. No battery. Shutter won't fire. Tuesday's looking more and more interesting all the time!
 
OP
OP

DWThomas

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 13, 2006
Messages
4,605
Location
SE Pennsylvania
Format
Multi Format
bobwysiwyg said:
Hmm, I live about three blocks from the old Argus factory (now owned by the Univ. of Michigan). I didn't realize there was such a following let alone an Argus Day.
Click to expand...

A few years back one participant photographed another in front of that building. Argus Day was apparently the brainchild of the Argus Collectors Group back in 2001 (Argust 1st!) I caught up with it in 2006, but it hasn't quite achieved critical mass -- like say -- Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day. Over the last two or three years there have been some transitions in web location and management and the pictures from several years have gone astray in cyberspace. But when I raised the question on the Argus Discussion Group last week, a number of folks jumped in and as of a day or so back, the latest overseer is apparently on board, so hey, we're off!

Two years ago I was shooting in Valley Forge National Park when a fairly attractive young woman walking by with a maybe seven year old in tow said "my, what an unusual camera." So I explained what it was and what was happening. She was quite impressed that it was still working, given I bought it in early 1958. As we were chatting some very senior citizen walking by stopped and looked and exclaimed "an Argus C3 -- that was my first camera! Bought one in 1955." All in all, that day left me with some warm fuzzies.
 

bobwysiwyg

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 28, 2008
Messages
1,627
Location
Ann Arbor, M
Format
Multi Format
Two years ago they had an exhibit at the building so I strolled over with one of those "other" kinds of camera. I found it interesting. I was not aware of Argus' involvement in some military applications.
 

Attachments

  • RealCamAndDisplayModel.jpg
    79.8 KB · Views: 144
  • WorkhorseModels.jpg
    80.3 KB · Views: 117
  • MiniModel.jpg
    68.2 KB · Views: 109
  • 33mmEnlarger.jpg
    72.8 KB · Views: 117
  • SmartBombAncestor.jpg
    63.8 KB · Views: 108
OP
OP

DWThomas

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 13, 2006
Messages
4,605
Location
SE Pennsylvania
Format
Multi Format
Heh heh, that Model M is described as using Bantam 828 film and getting eight pictures on a roll -- described by Kodak as "enough for a weekend." Bet that concept would drop jaws in some circles today. Thanks for the virtual visit.

One of the bits of documentation at the ACG site is a US Army repair manual for the C3, so there is at leat one connection. I vaguely recall that the company behind Argus actually made Bakelite products and came up with the cameras as a way to diversify and expand their market.
 

Dan Grisez

Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2010
Messages
68
Location
Cleveland, O
Format
35mm
Hmmmm...very cool idea. I didn't even know this was an event. I have a C3 and a C4. I may have to load up at least the C3 and get in some shooting.
 
OP
OP

DWThomas

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 13, 2006
Messages
4,605
Location
SE Pennsylvania
Format
Multi Format
Well, I did it! The one of the roller mill is in my gallery here too. I sent it and one of the Knight Lake dam to the Argus Day folks, we'll see how long it takes to show up.

The weather was not exactly picture postcard lighting -- 95ºF, humid, hazy sun to partly cloudy, but hey, it's Argust!

I'm flabbergasted, I got 25 shots on a 24 exposure roll, all usable, no blank frames and no double exposures -- didn't even smack my fingertips with the cocking lever or stick my finger in front of the lens. Those old skills from the 1960s must be slowly sneaking back.
 

Moopheus

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2006
Messages
1,219
Location
Cambridge MA
Format
Medium Format
I wish I'd known--I recently acquired a A2 that I haven't had a chance to use yet--I'll have to extend Argust into the weekend!
 

Rick A

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
9,925
Location
Laurel Highlands
Format
8x10 Format
I took my C-3 out, but honestly, I had alot of trouble focusing, I could barely see through the RF patch. That coupled with my old-man eyes, and I have a few frames that just didn't quite make it.
 

flatulent1

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2008
Messages
1,505
Location
Seattle USA
Format
Multi Format
I wasn't able to shoot with mine at all, just didn't make the time.

On the positive side, I'm all set for next year. I got myself both the telephoto lens and the wide angle lens for my C3. Yes, I know, more crap that I don't need...:w00t:
 
OP
OP

DWThomas

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 13, 2006
Messages
4,605
Location
SE Pennsylvania
Format
Multi Format
flatulent1 said:
... I'm all set for next year. I got myself both the telephoto lens and the wide angle lens for my C3. Yes, I know, more crap that I don't need...:w00t:
Click to expand...

Way cool! I must admit by the time I had the disposable income to add the extra lenses, the C3 was on a shelf in the closet, but it is an interesting idea. I did purchase a third party idler gear assembly that was spring loaded so you could remove the lens without unscrewing that shallow mushroom topped screw to remove the idler gear. But that was to support getting the lens off to use it on a homemade enlarger. "Ah, those were the days."

At long last, some, if not all, of the days "official" results are up on the Argus Flickr site.
 

lxdude

Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2009
Messages
7,094
Location
Redlands, So
Format
Multi Format
Why is it on Argust 10th? Why not the 3rd? I don't see the importance of ten days into the month, but I can C-3.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
OP
OP

DWThomas

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 13, 2006
Messages
4,605
Location
SE Pennsylvania
Format
Multi Format
lxdude said:
Why is it on Argust 10th? Why not the 3rd? I don't see the importance of ten days into the month, but I can C-3.
Click to expand...

Ah! It's the day of the month corresponding to the year. The first one was Argust 1st, 2001, this one was Argust 10th, 2010, and next year it will be Argust 11th. I've no idea what happens after Argust 31st, but given the age of many of the participants (including me!) it may not matter.
 

flatulent1

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2008
Messages
1,505
Location
Seattle USA
Format
Multi Format
Since you mentioned it...

I cannot remove that mushroom cap. It extends into a groove in the lens and will unscrew only so far before it wedges itself tightly against the upper wall of the groove. Is there a way around this?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…