#argus brick

23.11.2019; First Images from a Seventy-Two Year Old Camera

These are low resolution scans of photographs I took last week. One is a double exposure and the landscape shots show I need to bring out a tiny screwdriver, open my new Argus C3 camera, and adjust the focusing mechanism.

But, look! The camera (which I’ve named Dexter) absolutely works! The almost turquoise hues are wonderful. For now, I’m shooting with Kodak Gold film 200 ASA at 1/200th of a second with the camera set at f/16 - I’m following the famous the “Sunny 16 Rule,” for now; it works, too.

It’s like having to do math - which I’m no good at! It’s very, VERY manual camera. I have to set the shutter speed, adjust the aperture opening, figure out the focus, set and click the shutter, and then wind the film to the next frame.

Unlike digital, where I can shoot hundreds and thousands of images, with film I have to think, “Okay. I have only a few dozen frames. Is this really worth using film on?”

26.11.2019 - Great News!

You know that Argus C3 Rangefinder camera I was so excited about buying on eBay? It arrived on Friday, so that was worth doing a happy dance over. I shot and mailed off a test roll on Saturday, it arrived for processing on Monday, and today - Tuesday - Green Mountain Camera (South Burlington, Vermont) phoned. The camera works, twenty-seven images turned out, and I’ve ordered prints and scans.

Yes - I’ll be sharing.

In no time at all, I’ll be just like the proud C3 user in the photo seen above!

17.11.2019 - I’ve Bought a New Camera

So, a friend gave me eight rolls of 35mm film he doesn’t need because he now has a posh Leica digital camera as well as an iPhone. I shoot digitally and use 120 film. I don’t own a 35mm camera. Time to go shopping! I went to my usual sources: YouTube videos, vintage camera sites, eBay, etc. I discovered the Argus C3, affectionately known as The Brick. An American camera made in Ann Arbor, Michigan, it was in production for nearly thirty years, was the most successful 35mm camera of its day, and looks like nothing I’ve ever seen.

I bought my “Brick” yesterday, on eBay (these are the seller’s photos). It arrives in a week. I deserve nice things. This is a nice thing.

If it looks familiar, that’s because it’s been a staple in films since “The Philadelphia Story.” Gwyneth Paltrow used one in “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.” It’s the “Harry Potter camera” to some people because one of Harry’s Hogwart chums had one. Mara Rooney had one in “Carol.”