Helo from pennsylvania

[Cromlech]

Hi everyone!

A little bit of background:
I'm 19, almost 20. I'm male. I was "getting into" photography with a Digital P&S, and decided to take it up to the next step, and got an Argus C3.

I just got a job, so i can afford a Pentax K1000, and a fridge full of film.

Anyways, i'm mostly here to just watch and learn.

Glad to be here,
Richard

 

[M.A.Longmore]

.
Welcome Home Richard,

It's good to be young !
Enjoy APUG, when I was 19 I had to walk 6 miles to the library to learn about photography.


Ron

From The Long Island Of New York,
And The Macro Management, and Long Island @ Large Format APUG Groups
.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Hello Richard and a warm welcome to APUG. You might want to check out KEH Used Cameras for more camera stuff. Good prices and a return policy. Also check out places like Freestyle and B&H for film.

Jeff

 

[Cromlech]

Thank you very much, Jeff, and Ron.

Jeff: I've been talking to the customer support at Freestyle, and they suggested a beginner's photography book on black and white. Is that a good purchase? Also, would this be a good place to ask questions about my Argus C3? Such as, if it accepts a shutter release cable? the shutter release is not threaded, so i'm a bit confused.

Ron: I'm pretty sure it was worth it, right?

thanks!

 

[jamesgignac]

Richard,

Welcome aboard, you've come to the right place! I managed to stumble on this site when I first started out and it's literally a gold mine of knowledge so make sure to scour around for anything you need. Also be sure to ask lots of questions if there's anything you can't find - there are many, many people here always looking to help out.

Best of luck and be sure to show off some work when you can!

 

[Chazzy]

Welcome, Richard. I used to own a C3 (it was stolen, unfortunately), and I don't remember anyone showing me a way to use a cable release with that camera. But millions of them were made, so maybe someone came up with a way to do it. I don't know.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Hello Richard, on that book I would guess it would be. Remember patience is everything.

Jeff

 

[M.A.Longmore]

Thank you very much, Jeff, and Ron.

Jeff: I've been talking to the customer support at Freestyle, and they suggested a beginner's photography book on black and white. Is that a good purchase? Also, would this be a good place to ask questions about my Argus C3? Such as, if it accepts a shutter release cable? the shutter release is not threaded, so i'm a bit confused.

Ron: I'm pretty sure it was worth it, right?

thanks!

.
I spent way too much time at the library.
I should have spent more time checking out the Librarians !
I was an Egghead.


Ron
.

 

[Cromlech]

.
I spent way too much time at the library.
I should have spent more time checking out the Librarians !
I was an Egghead.


Ron
.

haha, i'll stick with the books for now...
i plan to shoot a roll or two, or three down at the Harrisburg State Hospital sometime... that's my dream!

 

[DWThomas]

Welcome from another Pennsylvanian -- and C3 owner!

I just went through a roll a week or so back for "Argus Day."

It's good to see a younger generation interested in these arcane arts.

I'm surprised by your comment about the cable release on the C3 -- is it possible there's a button screwed into the spot to "soften" the shutter release? On mine, the shutter release button is a sort of tubular piece with a thread inside to match a cable release. I recall there used to be some "soft release" accessories sold, sort of a mushroom shape, to pad out cameras with this sort of shutter release -- maybe there's one of those?

Here's a look: (I hope)

 

[Rick A]

Hey-diddly-ho good neighbor, from north central Pa, and the land of the endless mountains. I have owned three C-3's and still currently have one.A big warm welcome to Apug to you. Send me your mailing address, and I'll send you a very good book on photography.

cheers

 

[M.A.Longmore]

.
Rick To The Rescue !

Thanks Rick !

That's What APUG is all about.


Ron

From The Long Island Of New York,
And The Macro Management, and Long Island @ Large Format APUG Groups
.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Welcome to APUG, Richard.

 

[Cromlech]

Welcome from another Pennsylvanian -- and C3 owner!

I just went through a roll a week or so back for "Argus Day."

It's good to see a younger generation interested in these arcane arts.

I'm surprised by your comment about the cable release on the C3 -- is it possible there's a button screwed into the spot to "soften" the shutter release? On mine, the shutter release button is a sort of tubular piece with a thread inside to match a cable release. I recall there used to be some "soft release" accessories sold, sort of a mushroom shape, to pad out cameras with this sort of shutter release -- maybe there's one of those?

Here's a look: (I hope)

Hi,

I'll have to take a closer look (with a flashlight) at my Argus. I bought it used online, and the seller mentioned he "managed to get the shutter to work"... My shutter release is very wobbly, and not sturdy, so maybe he forced the shutter clsoed somehow, without using the cocking mechanism on the front?

That worries me slightly (the shutter release stiffens once it's been cocked however) but i'll go take a close look and let you know how it goes!

Thanks to EVERYONE who welcomed me! This is a much nicer place than I thought it would be. I've been to some very elitist forums, and i haven't joined for that reason.

Thanks again!

PS. Thomas, you don't happen to run the "city on the hill" website, do you? If so, I sent you an e-mail about HSH and getting onto the grounds, and if the numbers still work. If not, you can disregard this bit. haha.

EDIT: I just took a closer look at my argus shutter release, with a flashlight. It seems to be very SLIGHTLY threaded. The shutter release is in a tubular shape, that then has a solid bottom to it. The threading is very light, almost faint, and it doesnt appear as well done as on your model. Mine is from 1952-1954... It has two flash acessory holes on the side, and not three like the 1954 models. Anyways, there you go... I think something like you mentioned could work. I'll go ahead and bite the bullet: What is the cost for a shutter cable like that?
My only goal is to take some self-shots, and maybe also some time exposures in dark lighting, that would require the use of 1/10th of a second and a tripod.

 

[Cromlech]

Richard,

Welcome aboard, you've come to the right place! I managed to stumble on this site when I first started out and it's literally a gold mine of knowledge so make sure to scour around for anything you need. Also be sure to ask lots of questions if there's anything you can't find - there are many, many people here always looking to help out.

Best of luck and be sure to show off some work when you can!

Hi James,

Thanks for the encouragement! The reason I joined is mainly for the deep but also VAST amoutn of knowledge in different areas of photography. I'll be sure to stay here as long as I can.

If anyone wants to see some of my "digital" work, you can. I have a free website at:
Dead Link Removed

I soon learned that anyone can take good digital pictures with some photoshop work. The real skill is in film, and in the dark room.

Sincerely,
Richard

 

[fotch]

Hello Richard, and welcome to APUG. Have you checked out the local library for books? Some books are worth owning, some books, you read them quickly and never open them again. You can always buy a book that your borrowed from the library if you want it in your own library.

Good Luck

 

[DWThomas]

Hi,
... My shutter release is very wobbly, and not sturdy, so maybe he forced the shutter clsoed somehow, without using the cocking mechanism on the front?

That worries me slightly (the shutter release stiffens once it's been cocked however) but i'll go take a close look and let you know how it goes!
...
PS. Thomas, you don't happen to run the "city on the hill" website, do you? If so, I sent you an e-mail about HSH and getting onto the grounds, and if the numbers still work. If not, you can disregard this bit. haha.

I suppose there could be discussion about the detailed parameters of "wobbly" but I believe what you describe is normal behavior. The upper part of the "button" is a tube, with threads inside, and probably a ring edge or flange on the outer diameter of its lower end that keeps it from popping up and out of the lower, top hat shaped section. It's sort of free-floating. The overall shutter mechanism is complex and spread out all over inside the front of the camera, but it's pretty tough mechanically. I've had mine open for a cleaning and lube.

Don't know if you got a manual with it. There's manuals at the Argus Collectors Group site. It might not tell you much you don't already know -- or can guess. The ACG also has some info, or links to it, for repair and calibration -- including an official US Army document!

As to your PS, I've no idea what your talking about, so I guess it's not me.

DaveT

 

[Cromlech]

Hello Richard, and welcome to APUG. Have you checked out the local library for books? Some books are worth owning, some books, you read them quickly and never open them again. You can always buy a book that your borrowed from the library if you want it in your own library.

Good Luck

Very good idea, actually.

my only issue with photography books these days is the focus on digital. I don't need half the book to explain how it doesnt matter how I frame the shot because I can just "crop it out" and so on. I'd rather have the other half of the book cover other, more important things related to film.

Anyways, i'll go see what I can do. I may just have to "bite the bullet" with a digital book...but we'll see what happens.

Plus, I already have a sense that (the other) Rick knows exactly where I am and has something already in mind that will suit my needs.

 

[Sirius Glass]

KEH is the way to go.

Welcome to APUG.

Steve

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Welcome, Richard, from Washington DC. There are some really good books out there on learning black-and-white - the Henry Horenstein "Black and White Photography, a Basic Manual" and "Beyond Basic Photography: a Technical Manual" are considered classic textbooks. Another really good book I found was the John P. Schaefer "Ansel Adams Guide: Basic Techniques of Photography". Another good resource for photography books is yard sales - people always have books like the old Kodak reference guides (which are usually excellent) for sale for next to nothing, since many people think film is dead and home processing an historical oddity.

 

[M.A.Longmore]

I'm having the same problem ....

Richard.

I'm having the same problem also, but I'm 49.
I guess that's to be expected at my age.


Ron
.

 

[Cromlech]

Welcome, Richard, from Washington DC. There are some really good books out there on learning black-and-white - the Henry Horenstein "Black and White Photography, a Basic Manual" and "Beyond Basic Photography: a Technical Manual" are considered classic textbooks. Another really good book I found was the John P. Schaefer "Ansel Adams Guide: Basic Techniques of Photography". Another good resource for photography books is yard sales - people always have books like the old Kodak reference guides (which are usually excellent) for sale for next to nothing, since many people think film is dead and home processing an historical oddity.

Thank you!
The book Freestyle suggested to me was B&W photography. I may still purchase it from them. Beyong Basic photography will probably be good once I go through the one Rick is sending me and the above title. I'm focusing on shooting black and white because I also plan top develop my own prints from these shots someday. Then I will move onto color!

 

[Cromlech]

Richard.

I'm having the same problem also, but I'm 49.
I guess that's to be expected at my age.


Ron
.

hahha!
very funny!
have any other jokes to share?
(no sarcasm)

 

[Cromlech]

I suppose there could be discussion about the detailed parameters of "wobbly" but I believe what you describe is normal behavior. The upper part of the "button" is a tube, with threads inside, and probably a ring edge or flange on the outer diameter of its lower end that keeps it from popping up and out of the lower, top hat shaped section. It's sort of free-floating. The overall shutter mechanism is complex and spread out all over inside the front of the camera, but it's pretty tough mechanically. I've had mine open for a cleaning and lube.

Don't know if you got a manual with it. There's manuals at the Argus Collectors Group site. It might not tell you much you don't already know -- or can guess. The ACG also has some info, or links to it, for repair and calibration -- including an official US Army document!

As to your PS, I've no idea what your talking about, so I guess it's not me.

DaveT

Sorry, just checking up on where to find a shutter release cable like you describe - what do you think will work?

 

[winger]

Hello from western PA! If you're ever out by Pittsburgh, there are lots of great places out here to shoot.