Argus C-4 with Geiss mount.

[Stephanie Brim]

I have one. This is the Argus that has the non-functioning shutter that I'm eventually going to try my hand at repairing. Any idea what one of these would be worth in decent condition? It needs a good polishing and cleaning, but it's in excellent condition. I only have the 50/2.8 Cintar for it, but that lens is also in great shape. I'm not looking to sell it as it seems to be a rather nice camera and I'd like to get the entire set of lenses now that I actually know what I'm dealing with. Any information would be nice. 🙂

Also, if the shutter fires but the blades do not move, exactly what could be the problem? Sticking? I don't see any oil on the blades...that's what makes me curious as to what the problem could be.

 

[mongo141]

I have one. This is the Argus that has the non-functioning shutter that I'm eventually going to try my hand at repairing. Any idea what one of these would be worth in decent condition? It needs a good polishing and cleaning, but it's in excellent condition. I only have the 50/2.8 Cintar for it, but that lens is also in great shape. I'm not looking to sell it as it seems to be a rather nice camera and I'd like to get the entire set of lenses now that I actually know what I'm dealing with. Any information would be nice. 🙂

Also, if the shutter fires but the blades do not move, exactly what could be the problem? Sticking? I don't see any oil on the blades...that's what makes me curious as to what the problem could be.

Hi Stephanie, I have about 6 Argus C-4 cameras among them a Geiss conversion with 3 of the lenses 35,50 and 100mm. I use to spend a lot of time and some money rebuilding the things but when I got through I had a camera with only about 3 useable speeds 300 (actually about 190 which is the best I could get out of any of them) 100 and 50. What has happened to yours is is the drive lever for the shutter is broken off. This is a common problem since the shutter is driven open AND closed, no return spring involved and the only source of parts is another C-4. Replacing the broken piece requires a complete tear down which means new covering since the Argus stuff comes off in strips (its made of paper). I will look and see if I have any drive levers left, if so you can have the thing. All of the cameras in the C-4 series used the same shutter mechanism they just got cheaper with more plastic involved. I also have around here somewhere a C-44 and C-44R with all the lenses and cases but All of those had to be torn down to replace the drive spring which drives the spindle which drives the broken lever. What usually causes broken drive levers is a piece of dirt, film in the shutter. Something has to give and that little drive lever is the weak point AND the thing is as hard as glass. I will be happy to answer any questions about The C-4 series cameras and you are welcome to any parts I have. PM me if you wish. Regards, Dave

 

[Stephanie Brim]

If I had to take a guess (without having it professionally measured), I'd say that the speeds in mine are on. Testing the sounds with other cameras (including my working Argus C3 which has working top speeds) the shutter sounds about the same. One problem I don't have to worry about. The complete tear down thing may be another story...perhaps I should send it off somewhere to be done.