dave_g1 Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 <p>I bought this early (1941) Argus C3. Aside from being dusty it seems to be in excellent condition - with one major exception.</p> <p>The shutter cocking lever is fatigued and cracked. I thought I would be able to swap out a lever from my circa 1955 C3 - but this is not the case. These early levers aren't reverse threaded.</p> <p>Does anybody know when Argus switched from a normal thread to a reverse thread for the cocking lever? I'd like to find a replacement so I can use this veteran Argus.</p> <p> </p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_g1 Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 <p>Also the camera in general is pretty cool so far as a C3 goes. There is no aluminum in it at all aparently. Everything is either a chromed casting or brass. The lens is chromed brass and must weigh at least twice as much as the postwar aluminum versions.<br /> Also check out the f-stop sequence. The lens is uncoated, and the film speed reminder dial is in Weston, not ASA.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walter_degroot Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 <p>Yes my wife's aunt had one with that sequence.<br> Mine had a more convention f stops.<br> I am in contact with her daughter (80)<br> and nobody knows what happened to it.<br> I gave my C-3 to a needy student.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
q.g._de_bakker Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 The aperture range is, quite conventionally, in full stops. Starting at the widest opening, which happens to be 1/3 of a stop wider than the next conventional f-stop number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_wheatland Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 <p>Check with Phil Sterritt, he's with the Argus Collectors Group. Someone there can help, they are active and have annual conventions in America.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_shriver Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 <p>The cocking lever probably has "zinc rot" -- decay of the pot metal due to impurities in the mix. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_g1 Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 <p>@ John: That is what it looks like. I've never heard of it being a problem on argus cameras though. I carefully inspected all other castings for any sign of cracking or wrinkling but everything else looks mint. <br> I guess I can put the lens on one of my later C3s once I check the focus.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnpd Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 <p>Ever find the lever? I've got several boxes of C3's that I never got around to restoring and may have what you need. I don't recall them being right-hand threaded, but it's been a while since I tore one down. I do know I have bodies with the brass lenses which have the oddball f-stops.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now