P3D Hacked Argus C3's

[Watters <mdwatters@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Some (forget just who) asked about hacked Argus cameras (likely due to a 
recent post of mine).

The C3 hack is handy for a lot of reasons.  The starting material is 
CHEAP.  C3 cameras are generally considered "trash" by camera collectors 
because they are so darn common.  This means that they are very very 
cheap at camera shows.  I paid $1 for one of the cameras in my hacked C3 
and $5 for the other.  I've paid no more than $5 for any other C3.

What makes this little cheap camera attractive is the following 
features:

Manual focus (rangefinder assisted)
Manual shutter (marked 1/10 to 1/300 but that 300th is optimistic at 
best, take a shutter timer to most 1/200th marked Realists and I think 
you'll find that a somewhat "optimistic" rating as well)
Manual apeture (f3.5-f16)
Square body (makes the connection of the bodies and back easy)
VERY simple shutter (makes linking them almost trivial compared to most 
other cameras, especially those with...)
Interchangable lenses (the cameras come stock with a mediocre 50mm, but 
Steinheil made 35 and 100mm lenses for it too.  It's a simple 
proprietory screw-mount.)

I've already talked 2 people through the Argus hack.  Anyone else wants 
help, let me know.

BTW:  In reference to the recent critique and rabid defence of the 
Realist camera...

The Argus weighs slightly more than a Realist. (judged qualitatively)

A C3 rig will give you all the lauded features of a Realist, except:
The C3 is full frame vs the Realist's 5P
The C3 offers interchangable lenses vs the Realist's fixed 35's

I didn't see anyone follow up on George T's comments regarding weight of 
Realist vs twin camera rigs...  I'm guessing the fellow was comparing 
the Realist to a twin XA-2 rig.  XA-2 rigs don't weigh much (550 grams, 
that's about 1/2 a kilo) and are fairly compact (4 x 9 x 22 cm).  They 
are slightly larger than a traditional stereo camera (like the Realist), 
but are quite a bit lighter than a Realist.  A  camera which IMHO is 
hideous!  It looks like something that never made it past the prototype 
stage.  Ugh!



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