P3D Re: Argus C-3 Stereo via Sliding

[John Ohrt <johrt@xxxxxxxx>]

H a r o l d B a i z e wrote:
> 
> Well it is 99% finished.
> 
> My Argus C-3 Stereo. Took a lot of time and effort.
> Much thanks to Michael Watters for encouragement and
> important information.


Well congratulations.  I don't have the abilities of Harold and Mike to
integrate two C3s into a stereo camera but I would like to pass on an
observation about the Argus C3 camera for stereo photography.

The Argus C3 is basically a brick.  It is rather neat for sliding shots
because the tripod adapter, film rewind knob and a built-in "foot" hold
the camera parallel to any flat surface yet present low resistance to
lateral movement.

I'll go into some detail, because it looks like a good camera for the
financially challenged, certainly a much better deal than throw aways
and cheap 35mm new manual cameras.  In comparison to todays cheap
cameras, it has the ability to handle low speed films which the new
cameras can't, and those low speed films still provide the best colour
and finest grain.
Also, I doubt if you are going to match the lens quality!!!


For those not familiar with the camera, it is a range findier equiped 35
mm camera of pre/post WWII vintage.  Most commonly found with a 50 mm
f3.5 lens, but I understand 35mm and 100mm lens are around.

Settings are continuously adjustable, aperture from f/3.5 to f/16, range
3 feet to inf, exposure 1/10 to 1/300.

You cock the shutter, so double exposures are possible.

The shutter release is threaded for a cable/bulb release and there is a
B setting.

It does have a flash unit, but I have no idea if the adapter is standard
or if adapters exist.  The flash unit clips into the lefthand side via
two jacks separated by about 3/4 inch.

There are no markings that identifiy a C3 as a C3.

The lens dial reads "f/3.5 50mm ARGUS COATED CINTAR"  reading one way
and "MADE IN U.S.A." in the other.

The ASA reminder dial run from 10 to 200 and is centred on the camera
back.

The dimensions of the "brick" excluding protruding knobs etc. are 1
13/16 x 2 11/16 x 5 3/16.

If you wanted to mecahnically synch two cameras, my guess if you can get
down to a 68 mm baseline but really, if you have the ability, hacking
two together like Mike and Harold has got to be the way to go. a 68 mm
baseline and full frame format!

Still saving for a Realist too :-)

John

ps. I have a users manual, so if you need a copy for a novice C3 user,
let me know.  Film loading, unloading, advance etc are not exactly
intuitive!



-- 
John Ohrt *** Toronto, ON, Canada *** mailto:johrt@xxxxxxxx


------------------------------