Exhumed Argus C4

<p>The Argus C4 was my first 35mm camera, bought from the survivor of the first owner in about 1967. Used it a lot, but it has sat unused for about the last 40 years. It has suffered a bit cosmetically (some oxidation from being stored in the wrong place), but its innards seem to be just fine, thank you. A couple of sample shots below, from a vintage car show in Leesburgh, VA last Saturday (Kodak Gold 100).</p><div></div>

<p>And, a 1934 Ford 5-window coupe......</p><div></div>

<p>Apologies for the misspelling of Lees<strong>burg</strong> .</p>

<p>ha, interesting. I never expected this camera to be a performer...I bought the brick and the C4 som etime ago but really more for display purpose than anything serious. I stick with my favorite canonet, srts, Electros, mamiyas for my amatuer film photography for now...I guess it is time to run a few rolls though these bad boys to see if I like the results:)</p>

<p>Very sharp lens! What new camera could you put on a shelf today, and then pick up and use 40 years from now?</p>

<p>Russ - Far from being on a shelf, this was kept in a storage box in my unheated garage! I really did not intend to mistreat it, just forgot about it. A testament to the simple things.</p>

<p>nice....</p>

<p>my dad had a 1940 packard, which i think he bought new... no idea how he pulled that off, he must have hocked his parents' house.</p>

<p>A few years ago I bought a horrible-looking, dirty, dented, oxidized C-four at a junk shop for a dollar. Under the crust and dust there was a surprisingly functional camera, with a surprisingly sharp lens. I'd use it more often if it had strap lugs. It's a nuisance to carry.</p>

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<p>It's expired HD400 film, but how sharp was that old Argus anyway?</p><div></div>

America's answer to the Leica for sure. 1/3 the price with all the performance, and it kept American workers working! Argus, where are you now.

<p>Matthew - If you have or can get the bottom 1/2 of the C4 case, slice a pair of slots into either side and feed through them the webbing of a simple neck strap. Works for me. A wrist strap attached to the tripod socket also works.</p>

<p>Some body should invent "add on" srap lugs for the older classic cameras. I hate carrying them around in the case.</p>

<p>And such fitting subjects. Nice.</p>

<p>Sort of the AK-47 of cameras (rugged, works after being buried in mud, etc.)</p>

<p>Nothing wrong with this C4, thanks for posting! :)</p>

<p>Your second shot is typical for the Argus lenses. They have a unique way of dealing w/ greens, reds and blues. Not the sharpest lenses in the world, but good bokeh and the way they render color is very pleasing. You can overhaul the whole camera w/ not much more that a flat blade screwdriver too.</p>