should i try to repair my argus C3?

[gallant]

hi there,

i've been looking into picking up photography as a new hobby and found an argus C3 at a thrift store for around 17$. i purchased it and am going to keep it regardless of whether or not i can fix it, but there a few issues with it. The aperture blades are stuck and won't open and the rangefinder window has a blue filter covering the bottom half of the image, which doesn't move, while the top half of the image does. i'm wondering if it would be worth it to try and repair it since i don't have any experience in this, or just to search for one that doesn't have the damage?

 

[RattyMouse]

hi there,

i've been looking into picking up photography as a new hobby and found an argus C3 at a thrift store for around 17$. i purchased it and am going to keep it regardless of whether or not i can fix it, but there a few issues with it. The aperture blades are stuck and won't open and the rangefinder window has a blue filter covering the bottom half of the image, which doesn't move, while the top half of the image does. i'm wondering if it would be worth it to try and repair it since i don't have any experience in this, or just to search for one that doesn't have the damage?

Welcome to Phototrio. I would save this camera for a future project. You should have a hassle free camera when starting off in this hobby.

 

[Helios 1984]

Welcome to Phototrio. I would save this camera for a future project. You should have a hassle free camera when starting off in this hobby.

+1

I would get a known working camera for shooting, and work on the C3 as a side project. There's plenty of repair guides for this particular camera, gather the information, take pictures of every step and take your time.

 

[shutterfinger]

So I did my usual search for a repair manual when I encounter post like this and https://www.arguscg.org/manuals/c3/ was at the top of the list.
There are 3 entries for repair instructions with the third the most detailed based on a quick scan of the information.
Look closely at all 3 then decide if you want dive in.

 

[Sirius Glass]

You have been already given great advice. Read them over and decide. All the best.

Welcome to APUG Photrio

 

[John Koehrer]

The rangefinder should have two parts. In your case, upper and lower to use it find a subject and adjust the focus to align the two
images until they line up.
The stuck aperture blades are because of grease. Really old grease. It can be cleaned out and should be fine. The advice above
is good. but IF you want to dig in the C3 is not a sophisticated thing to work on. With any luck there will be pretty good
drawings in the links above.

 

[Chan Tran]

The Argus C3 is one of the easiest camera to disassemble and reassemble. But I have one in pieces in a box and never took the time to put it back. I think you should buy a good (not another C3) nice working camera to take pictures with film. Fix the C3 whenever you have the time.

 

[summicron1]

hey dude, I have a good working one here I'm trying to get rid of -- $20 and it's yours via flat rate priority mail.

But they are easy cameras to work on as well.