sdsalyer Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Greetings, all. <p /> I recently picked up a box full of cameras at an auction for the bargain price of $5. They aren't in the greatest of condition, but I was pretty pleased with the purchase. I just wanted to share a couple photos and ask a few questions. <p /> Here's a few of the cameras: <p /> <b>Anscoflex II:</b> <br /> <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~sdsalyer/cameras/cameras0004.JPG" /><br /> <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~sdsalyer/cameras/cameras0007.JPG" /><br /> <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~sdsalyer/cameras/cameras0009.JPG" /> <p /> <b>Argus C3:</b> <br /> <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~sdsalyer/cameras/cameras0012.JPG" /><br /> <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~sdsalyer/cameras/cameras0015.JPG" /><br /> <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~sdsalyer/cameras/cameras0016.JPG" /> <p /> <b>Acro Model R:</b> <br /> <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~sdsalyer/cameras/cameras0026.JPG" /><br /> <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~sdsalyer/cameras/cameras0031.JPG" /><br /> <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~sdsalyer/cameras/cameras0035.JPG" /> <p /> The Anscoflex II seems to function fine. It was worth the $5 if nothing else in the box was, I think. The glass is pretty free of scratches and whatnot, the shutter fires and the film advance works. The two filters also seem to function properly. The neck strap is pretty grungy, though. I'm not sure if the flash works, but it seems in good condition other than it's missing a screw or something that holds the reflector onto the handle. I also got quite a few flash bulbs with it. <p /> The Argus C3 seems to be in decent aesthetic shape for its age (somewhere from 1939-57 from what I can figure). The shutter fires with no difficulty. It's got a very musty smell to it, though, and there may be fungus on the rear element. The leather case is in pretty good condition also, but again smells musty. There is a major issue with the rangefinder dial, though. The cog between the dial and the lens is very corroded/dirty and the dial won't budge at all. Is there an easy fix for this, like some WD40 to loosen it up? Also, I'm afraid the take-up spool may be corroded/locked up. I know these things are a dime a dozen... is it worth trying to fix it up? <p /> I can't find much information at all on the Acro Model R. It's pretty fouled up, though. Very dirty, musty, and I can't seem to get the shutter to fire. The focus ring also won't turn. Is this worth hanging on to, or should I trash it? <p /> Finally, there's this: <p /> <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~sdsalyer/cameras/cameras0003.JPG" /><br /> <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~sdsalyer/cameras/cameras0021.JPG" /><br /> <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~sdsalyer/cameras/cameras0025.JPG" /> <p /> The 620 film is from the Anscoflex II. I'm not sure what the counter was on, but there were several shots unexposed I think. The 35mm roll was in the Argus C3, and if there was anything on it, I probably ruined it when I opened the back. The other film pictured is all still in unopened boxes. The expiration dates range from 1950 to 1954. So, I have two questions here. Firstly, should I send the exposed rolls to a professional place like Film Rescue, or see if some place can do it locally? Secondly, would the unopened film be considered rare/collectible or would it be alright to shoot with it and see if it turns out (what are the chances of that?)? <p /> Also in the $5 bargain box were a couple of Polaroids, a couple of Kodak Instamatics, and a strange looking Kodak XL33 movie camera, which may also have film in it -- I don't have a clue what to do about that one. <p /> I'd like to hang on to the Anscoflex II for sure. It's such a neat little camera. 620 film seems to be about $10 a roll at B&H, though. I'm positive my local Ritz doesn't carry anything other than a few rolls of 35mm. They have to send out for 2 weeks to process B&W film. It's sad what a hassle it is dealing with film these days. So, as an aside, can anyone recommend a good mail-order lab for modern film developing that could handle 620 film and B&W and color slide 35mm film? <p /> Sorry for such a long post. :) Thanks for taking the time to read it. All the photos were taken in a home-made light tent. I didn't bother to process them other than batch resizing, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_the_waste Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Five bucks??? Holy crap Batman!!! Your Argus C3 looks like it may well be pre war. I have one that has the coated Cintar lens on it (post war). Mine also had the company logo on the lower right corner (facing forward, late '40's). Quite the find indeed. Rick Oleson has been kind enough to post instructions on how to get inside and fix a C3. The cap on the idler gear of the rangefinder unscrews (right hand thread). I redid mine with no major problems. The instructions were great. Here's the link. You may have to dig through the site, but it's well worth it. http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_the_waste Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 As for the film from the Anscoflex, there's a very dignified gentleman that frequents this forum, and he goes by the name Gene M. Also known as the "master of found film." Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_supplee Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Please invite me to the next auction you go to! What a great deal. Two ways to tell if you have a pre-war Argus, The cocking lever is silver color, and the rangefinder window is tinted blue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdsalyer Posted November 8, 2007 Author Share Posted November 8, 2007 Thanks for the responses. :) This Argus is the first rangefinder I've ever had my hands on, so I'm not 100% familiar with them. The lever is definitely silver and the rangefinder window is divided... the top half is clear and the bottom half is blue (almost aqua/teal sort of color). I've read these were made with several different sets of shutter speeds... this one seems to have 7 and they all appear to work just from guesstimating (you can hear it whirring when it's set to 1/10th). Thanks for the link, also. There seems to be several different guides for repairing/cleaning the C3's. It's definitely a lot less complicated than the Minolta SRT I took apart (and couldn't get back together!), but I'm still afraid of screwing it up. Anyone have info on the Acro Model R? Thanks again. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 A real bargain. I just paid nearly $10 for a similar C3 by itself. Seriously, while probably not worth professional repair, there are scads of sites with repair directions for the C3--just google a little. The others and the film are just lagniappe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdsalyer Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 Thanks JDM. I learned a new word today. :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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