jorn ake Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 This Argus C44 (early one) was just given to me by my sister who is up visiting from North Carolina. It was given to her by my grandfather, a man I spent a lot of time with while I was growing but who unfortunately lost his ability to function mentally far before his body let him go. As a result, these sorts of gifts are few and far between. So sentiment and nostalgia are to be assumed here. The camera has similarly lost its ability to function - shutter, wind, and shutter release are frozen but the body is hale and hearty. Lens focuses (rangefinder out of alignment) lens removes, film sprockets disengage and move when wind lever is set to rewind, but no forward winding motion is possible, no shutter operation nor return spring to the shutter release. My sister wants me to get it fixed and take some photographs with it. I have been quoted a repair figure of about $85, but I am going to bet that is low. I know I can get a working one for less than that as well. You can see my dilemma unfolding. Should I get a similar vintage, equivalent condition replacement and shoot some photographs, thereby deceiving my sister and trodding upon the grave of my grandfather or should I fix it? I think I should fix it. Any good repair shops who do Argii to recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_m Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 I would join the Yahoo Argus Collectors Group. There are lots of knowledgeable people there and I believe there are websites that contain strip down instructions for the Argus C44. A camera does not have a personality, it is a collection of mechanical parts. You could buy a functioning camera and fit the lens from your original camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Fix it! It's one of those "priceless" things they have in the ads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xenotar28 Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Jorn, First, I am shocked! Bill Mitchell and I agree on something:-) Fix it. There is no moral dilemma. It is a bridge between you and your grandfather, and everytime you use it, you will feel the connection and a very deep satisfaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_baker6 Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Yes !!! Fix it !!! I certainly wish I had the Contessa my Dad took all our family photo's with, but it's gone. So keep the C44 and the memories that go with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c_d5 Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Can you find any photo that this camera has produced? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulh Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 Fix it. You will hate yourself if you try any other way. I'm sure that there are even one or two people here that may be prepared to assist, if you don't feel up to it. With something this sentimental, I'd pay the bit extra and get it fixed by someone who really knows what they are doing - not implying anything here ;-) You are not fixing it to re-sell, and its sentimental value is worth far more than its monetary value. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gib Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 possibly one other angle to consider.....what do you think your grandfather would do in this situation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorn ake Posted August 9, 2005 Author Share Posted August 9, 2005 My grandfather would take it and have it fixed. Or he would give it to my dad. This grandfather gave me a Kodak Ektra (what was he thinking?) early in my life that I accidently dropped out a window. He tended to enjoy gadgets. But he would take this down to the local camera jockey, have him fix it, probably on some sort of barter. My grandfather was a surgeon in a small town in Indiana and walking down main street was like walking through his medical files - "Worked on his heart, delivered her baby, delivered him, took out his appendix too..." So he could work the barter pretty well. Even in his retirement, people would stop by the house and drop off eggs, chickens, fruit, vegetables, half a cow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_bedell Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 Trod on his grave! Just kidding. I'd also get it fixed (when the expenditure fits easily into the budget). Your grandfather didn't use a similar camera bought on eBay from New Jersey. He used THAT camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gib Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 He sounds like he would have been a real treat to meet and know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charles_stobbs3 Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 Log onto the "clasic camera repair" website and do a keyword search for Argus C44. You may find some hints there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_oleson Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 Hello Jorn: If you don't find another solution, I will fix it for you. You will have to pay for the postage, and probably for a C4 to donate repair parts. I can't stand to see these things go to waste..... http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-127.html rick :)= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Currie Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 I'd fix it. If the innards of a C44 are similar to those of a C4, it may not be all that hard to free up. Compared to most modern equipment, the C4 is spacious and uses rather large, intuitive mechanical parts. Or send it to Rick. But definitely fix it. You'll be glad in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silent1 Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 Just incidentally, unlike fixing a box camera or something similar, the repair C44 will likely be quite a capable user camera, and they just don't make anything any more that's as rugged as an Argus Brick. If it were me, I'd plan to fix it myself, but I've fixed a number of other cameras from various states of disrepair and I'm not afraid of small gears and cams and springs. I'd say, take Rick's offer -- I haven't seen his actual work, but his drawings indicate a strong understanding of the inner workings of the cameras he's drawn, as well as an ability to convey his knowledge simply and clearly. Those traits, in my experience, don't exist in a vacuum; they only come to those who know their stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee hamiel Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 Sounds like "fix it" is the overwhelming response! Very nice of you Rick to offer to repair - Jorn: I would take him up on the offer! Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorn ake Posted August 9, 2005 Author Share Posted August 9, 2005 Thanks all. It's decided. Fix it is. I'll post photos when it is done, and I will dig through the photos I have from my grandfather and see if I can find some he probably shot with this camera. Rick, you are a gentleman for sure. Thank you very much. I will contact you off list if local sources come to naught. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_oleson Posted August 11, 2005 Share Posted August 11, 2005 Jorn, if you find someone close by who's willing to try it, I'll be happy to help with instructions and suggestions. I also have some replacement leatherette material, as removing the shutter often involves damaging the leatherette on the front. rick :)= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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