a2b

-doomed-

-doomed-

film is exciting
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I have this problem of buying things i dont need ,while its not a rangefinder its a neat little camera, after trying to sell it , and realizing that no one seems to want it i decided id keep it . Plus my local camera shop says they arent worth much.

I did the reading on how it works and hope to fire a roll through it and see what i get.
Anyone have any experience with these things? Any shots from one?
Ths one is basically mint condition.

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Keep It!

Keep It!

I have noticed a trend lately, every time I find a new type camera to start adding to my collection and start the process of looking for that type, the price range jumps to the top of the food chain, ex: Yashicas were low until I started buying, now I have started looking at the dear ole made in the USA Argus and everyone wants a small mint for their classic. Just bought a Argus Match-Matic, and not for the proverbial $5.00-$9.00 everyone else seems to get them for in the original box w/manual, mint Exc+++++ condition, those cost me alot more than a few bucks. Don't get me wrong, I do look for the ones that look and are discribed as mint, orig. owner and or belonged to Dad and I exspect to pay to get a quality item, I bought so many Yashicas that were anything but and learned how to overhaul all the mint deals I got on evil bay. Since getting bite by the camera bug, I have learned a few things besides just how to take a photograph. My advice, keep it. The min. I start to look for one like it to add to my collection, they will triple in value. Besides looks too good to get rid of anyway, use it and enjoy.:eek:
 
on your list of cameras to add to your collection?
i like this thing but for the right price everything is for sale.
Although i really should develop the roll before i decide to sell this thing , it is fun to use and it is a nice vintage shooter
 
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As I recall, Steve Gandy, on Cameraquest website, has a number of photos taken by an Argus A. I have the A, the A2b missing the extinction screen in the front of the "meter," and the focusing model of the A. Haven't used them. But I was happily shocked wiith the quality my Argus C3 delivered. Dave
 
rg hensley said:
I have noticed a trend lately, every time I find a new type camera to start adding to my collection and start the process of looking for that type, the price range jumps to the top of the food chain,
Click to expand...

I think these low prices are a bit of a myth as far as buying off the Internet is concerned. I was bidding on an A2B last year in nice condition and gave up at something like US $30! And I would have had to pay shipping on top of that. :bang:

So I can certainly empathise with you on that point. I'm still looking for an A of any sort. Of course having said this, a heap of people will now say how they grabbed one off the 'bay for $1.00 buy it now complete with the depression era house they bought in (plus taxes of course).

The original poster's A looks lovely.
 
I agree about the prices on the "A" series. Here in the US the C3 is frequently seen at estate or garage sales for a few bucks. I haven't seen very many A series though. I have been outbid on that auction site also. Part of the problem with the bay is that it is impossible to tell sometimes if the little gel filter and the rest of the parts of the extinction meter are still there. When I get an A2B, I want to be able to shoot with it.

Doomed, please show us some results when you finish that roll of film.:cool:

Steve
 
will do i finished the roll i just need to get it developed , im short on cash(being in college sucks at times) so itll have to wait until friday :(.
tyrone.s said:
I think these low prices are a bit of a myth as far as buying off the Internet is concerned. I was bidding on an A2B last year in nice condition and gave up at something like US $30! And I would have had to pay shipping on top of that. :bang:

So I can certainly empathise with you on that point. I'm still looking for an A of any sort. Of course having said this, a heap of people will now say how they grabbed one off the 'bay for $1.00 buy it now complete with the depression era house they bought in (plus taxes of course).

The original poster's A looks lovely.
Click to expand...

I paid $27.00 for mine , it was 30 something shipped to my door ,not the cheapest,but it is pretty much immaculate, the viewfinder is a little cloudy but it still works so i cant complain. I did a little reading on it figure out how to use it and now i shot a roll with it. Id love to find a case for it to keep it looking as pristine as it does now.
 
Ran that roll , need to scan the two that came out ok from the roll, it would probably respond better to the bw400cn ive been shooting with . i should have the shots that somewhat worked on tuesday up.

Id use this again now that i know what to expect from it.Plus now im determined to get some decent shots out of it , once i get used to the distances i think it will be decent , there were some dark shots from that roll that were pretty clear , ill scan in what i have.

I added to my argus collection tonight and bought an argoflex E metal body , i know its not a rangefinder but its funny that i added another argus to the camera collection.
 
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No excuses for the poor quality , but its the first time ive used a camera like this
I shot this at f18 at 1/150th on 400 speed fuji superia
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f4.5 on t with some shake, no fires though :D

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and finally the land of blue parking lots f18 1/150th
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its in fantastic shape , no chips and all the chrome is looking brand new, this has either been redone or hardly used.
 
My theory on film for old Cameras

My theory on film for old Cameras

The Argus being dear to my heart is the reason I am in this forum. I have owned a C3 since 1976 I still use the camera.

In looking at the old pictures shot by these cameras I saw many blurred results. I gave some thought as to why? It was the film speed. These cameras were designed in a period where ASA 64 was the fast film. Like you I tried the fast films with dismal results. Then I ran a roll of Ectachrome 64 and everything came into focus. Since then I always use slower film. I have attached two pictures as encouragement to give your camera a chance. The sharpness of these lenses is incredible. I have been using Kodak and Fuji ASA 200 film i got cheap processing with CD from Walmart. The Kodak 35 is very close to youe camera.
 

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I have decided ill keep it , its in such good shape and works , ill just need to use the slower speed film in it as you suggested , these are also blurry because i scanned the prints on my flatbed scanner which obliterates the details , the shots actually look decent on the prints i got
as long as i gauge my distance correctly they stay pretty clear.
 
I got one of the post war A2b models on eBay for a steal...one reason being the seller described it as an "Argus Anastigmat" since there's no indication of the model name on the body of the camera. I purchased it simply because of aesthetics and if it worked, it was a bonus. I've got a roll of film in in now to try it out. I've had some success in the past with my C-3, so thought this would be fun. And it's in as good shape as yours is! Lucky us!
 
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