Need someone to restore Argus C3

Pioneer · Sunday at 6:18 PM

I read forum posts that say the anyone can fix an Argus C3. Take it from me, they are not talking about me. I have many skills but camera repair is not one of them.

But I own a couple of Argus C3 cameras that I really do enjoy using. However they do not work particularly well and they are not reliable. I really do want it to work as it did when it came from the factory. I need someone to take mine apart, clean it and get it working so I can rely on it. I want to be able to grab it, walk out the door and know that it will work, just like my K1000.

Does anyone know someone out there who will do that for me? Thank you for any help you can give me.

Arlen Anderson · Sunday at 7:33 PM

Hi, It would be worth giving Steve a call at Camera Clinic USA. He use to be be out of Reno Nevada, but has been in Mandan ND for awhile now. Good guy and and really takes an interest in working on camera’s. His specialty is Canon, but he knows a lot about other camera’s as well. Information below, Arlen

Steve@Camera Clinic
406 W Main St Ste 3
Mandan, ND 58554
Phone: 775-829-2244
Email: steve@cameraclinicusa.com

Pioneer · Monday at 11:45 AM

Arlen Anderson said:
Hi, It would be worth giving Steve a call at Camera Clinic USA. He use to be be out of Reno Nevada, but has been in Mandan ND for awhile now. Good guy and and really takes an interest in working on camera’s. His specialty is Canon, but he knows a lot about other camera’s as well. Information below, Arlen

Steve@Camera Clinic
406 W Main St Ste 3
Mandan, ND 58554
Phone: 775-829-2244
Email: steve@cameraclinicusa.com

Thank you very much. I'll give him a call.

Paul Howell · Monday at 1:45 PM

I had a Ross Yerkes overhauled one of my C3s, he cleaned the rangefinder and view window, lubed the shutter and film advance, did a pretty good job, that over 10 years ago, he charged me $80, must be much more in 2025. As word of warning. There are reports that he often sends offensive political material back with the camera. I did nor revive any, other have. Last time I checked no email or web site, need to call.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/ross-yerkes-camera-repair-los-angeles

Pioneer · Monday at 7:37 PM

Paul Howell said:
I had a Ross Yerkes overhauled one of my C3s, he cleaned the rangefinder and view window, lubed the shutter and film advance, did a pretty good job, that over 10 years ago, he charged me $80, must be much more in 2025. As word of warning. There are reports that he often sends offensive political material back with the camera. I did nor revive any, other have. Last time I checked no email or web site, need to call.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/ross-yerkes-camera-repair-los-angeles

Thanks. I'll give him a try. So far I am 0 for 2. Maybe the 3rd time will be a charm.

Dwight Anderson · Monday at 9:30 PM

Pioneer said:
Thanks. I'll give him a try. So far I am 0 for 2. Maybe the 3rd time will be a charm.

If you don't find someone, I've done a couple of them. They're fairly simple if there's no missing or broken parts.

Paul Howell · Monday at 9:57 PM

By the way you can also try Blue Moon Camera, they seem to be willing to work on common older cameras.

DWThomas · Tuesday at 12:03 AM

The Argus Collectors Group has a collection of info online. The C3 is probably the best covered with regard to repair info.
You could sign up and ask. So far I've been able to keep mine going on a DIY basis but I know I've not come up against every possible problem and would not consider myself qualified to hang out a shingle. (Not to mention I'm getting old and decrepit and trying to reduce the tasks clamoring for attention in my life! )

armadsen · Tuesday at 12:06 AM

Advance Camera Repair in Portland is another one I’d check with. I recently had them CLA a very stiff Meopta Mikroma II. Despite not having worked on one before they did a great job for a reasonable price.

Point being: they seem to be willing to work on stuff outside their usual specialties.

Pioneer · Tuesday at 11:26 AM

Thanks. I'll check with these. Didn't know that Blue Moon Camera did repairs.

Pioneer · Tuesday at 11:30 AM

DWThomas said:
The Argus Collectors Group has a collection of info online. The C3 is probably the best covered with regard to repair info.
You could sign up and ask. So far I've been able to keep mine going on a DIY basis but I know I've not come up against every possible problem and would not consider myself qualified to hang out a shingle. (Not to mention I'm getting old and decrepit and trying to reduce the tasks clamoring for attention in my life! )

Thanks. I've reviewed their information and I enjoy reading what they have. However the last time I tried a camera repair it resulted in a baggie full of springs and screws that is still sitting on my shelves. You are welcome to try and put them back together if you want. It is a Kiev not an Argus but that made me realize that camera repair was not my strong suit. Heck, it isn't even my weak suit.

The best I seem to be able to do is change a tire or change my oil and even that can turn into an adventure.

grahamp · Tuesday at 7:24 PM

At least the Argus has some repair instructions and some crowd expertise.

A lot of cameras might have factory repair manuals around, but without the instruction course to go with them many are not models of clarity. Some ought to have 'Here be dragons!' marked on them like old maps

dxqcanada · 2025-10-11T14:59:17-0400

What's the problem with your Argus's ? I have serviced one so I can tell you if this is something simple to fix ... though the Argus C3 is really an exceptionally low tech camera that is not difficult to work on.

loccdor · 2025-10-11T16:01:18-0400

Pioneer said:
but that made me realize that camera repair was not my strong suit.

I'm right there with you!

Pioneer · 2025-10-11T17:45:14-0400

Thanks everyone. I did find someone who was willing to help me. It has been sent off to get tuned up and running again.

There was nothing truly major wrong with it that I know of but it is a pre-war camera that was old and stiff just like me. It just needed a good cleaning, lube and adjustment from someone who has done it before and understands what it takes. I have owned this Argus for quite a few years and it has been a good camera and provided me with lots of good photos. It may be a simple piece of equipment but it has served me and its' other previous owners well. It needed a day at the SPA and it deserves a little loving attention the same as any old camera be it a Leica, Zeiss or an Agfa.

Need someone to restore Argus C3

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