Argus C3 Help

<p>I just got this Argus C3 and I'm having a hell of a time trying to figure it out. I've followed the instructions in the manual, but there doesn't seem to be anyway to tell if I've taken a picture? Also, how do I use the included light meter?</p>

<p>The C-3 is fairly straight forward. Always set the shutter speed before cocking the shutter, focus ,meter and shoot. If the shutter fires after being cocked it is working. The web has several Argus dedicated informational sites. You can also search P-Net for threads about the C-3 and your particular light meter. The Cintar lens is a basic triplet design able to produce good images.<br>

Chris</p>

<p>If you loaded the shutter, pressed the release button, and heard a mechanical noise, chances are that you took a picture. The C3 can do fine work if properly handled.</p>

<p>The repair manual is in http://arguscg.tripod.com/id92.html</p>

<p>If you tell us what is your light meter we might be able to help.</p>

<p> </p>

Experiment and prove it to yourself: open the back

and operate the camera while looking through the

film gate.

<p>If the C3 shutter is working, you will know it. Scratchy THUNK. But the open back test will confirm as Brian suggested.</p>

If you already have film loaded, obviously do not open the back.

 

There is no interlock between the shutter and the film advance on the C3. So get in the habit of advancing the film and cocking the shutter right after you take a picture. That is the only way to be sure the camera will be ready for the next shot and to prevent double exposures.

<p>Is it a C-3 Matchmatic or a standard C-3? The standard is all black. The Matchmatic is beige and light brown.<br>

If it is a standard C-3 and the meter is working, it is fairly straightforward. You simply turn the dial to indicate the film speed you are using and read off the shutter speed/f-stop combinations that can be used.<br>

The Matchmatic was an attempt to simplify and demystify the arcane workings of shutter speeds and f-stops. Instead of using the real shutter speeds and f-stops, Argus simply assigned them numbers (1,2,3...). Using the meter is essentially the same, except you get settings like: shutter speed=4, aperture=5, instead of: shutter speed=1/200, aperture=5.6.<br>

All that being said, selenium meters that old seldom work at all. If they do, they are seldom accurate. Point the meter at a bright light source and see if the needle deflects. Now cover the meter. The needle should deflect all the way in the other direction.<br>

Selenium meters need no batteries. If it doesn't work, there is nothing to do but replace it. Occasionally, someone reports that they were able to open the meter up and find a tiny wire that had become disconnected and were able to re-solder it, but that doesn't happen often.<br>

As simple as the C-3 is, it can take some very nice pictures. The standard 50mm lens is actually quite good for an inexpensive camera. That is one reason that the camera still has a loyal following.<br>

BTW, there is a Yahoo group for the Argus Collector's Group that you can join. There are people there who know everything there is to know about all Argus cameras.</p>

<p>for the light I think you are writing about the one at this link http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/argus_l3_meter.pdf</p>