Argus C-2

1938

International Research Corporation

Ann Arbor

USA

Lens:

f3.5, 50 mm, Argus, iris diaphragm to f18.

Shutter:

Behind the lens, three-blade leaf type, speeds 1/5 - 1/300, B.

Construction:

Plastic and metal body.

Format:

36, 24 x 36 mm exposures on 35 mm film held in standard cassettes.

Focusing:

To 3 feet.

Attributes:

Coupled rangefinder, swing mirror type giving split field. Direct-vision (lens/lens) view-finder.
Film advance is by double sprocket wheel, wheel reverses for re-wind. Auto-stop on film advance. Not coupled to shutter. Automatic frame counter.

Serial Number:

26175C .

With:

Instruction book. Ever-ready case.

The first Argus appeared in 1936. The model C (1938) was derived from the earlier model and included an uncoupled rangefinder. In the same year the C-2 with coupled rangefinder was introduced. The C-3, with flash synchronisation, was introduced the following year and remained in production for many years. The C, C-2 and C-3 cameras have a square appearance giving rise to their popular name, 'the brick'.

In Britain the C-2 was sold as the Minca, at £11.10.0 it was fairly cheap and must have sold in large numbers.

International Research was later called Argus Inc.

References & Notes:

AP 21/6/1939, pp. 706, A29.

Early Photography