Dec 10, 2025
On R&R in the 1940’s is a United States Women’s Army Corps Photographer with an Argus (Brick) camera.
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On R&R in the 1940’s is a United States Women’s Army Corps Photographer with an Argus (Brick) camera.
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?”
For someone who's completely used to digital, by now, it’s like being handed a kitten and being told, “This is yours - have fun figuring out how it works.”
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!
Well, not exactly . . .
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.”
Former president Jimmy Carter’s Argus C3 is in a display case at his presidential library - and Lt. Columbo took one to London.
Looks like the rangefinder on the Argus I picked up is a little off, because this was one of the only focused shots that came out. Might need to tweak it a little more before I take it out again.