Argus C3 Cintar 50mm F 3.5 Lens Orientation

[hp6350hp]

2017-01-03
I did a search in RF Forum but was unable to find an answer.

Does the second lens from the front of an Argus Cintar 50mm f 3.5 have a front orientation?

Well removing the filter/hood assembly the front threaded element that holds the number 1 lens in place it came out. The number 1 lens fell out, then the number 2 lens and its holding element also fell out.



I looked at my second C3 and can see the number 1 lens has its convex side out and the concaved side on the film side. But the number 2 lens has two concaved sides that feel the same.



I would guess number 2 lens is omnidirectional because it would be very hard to tell the two sides a part.

Thank for reading this.
Chris

 

[kb244]

The one I have, the front element faces outwards (for that matter I can't remember the last time I seen a lens that faced inwards on the front, short of some ultrawide modern I once had)

With cleaning that I would have left the front one in, since you can get at both sides of the front element with it still in the assembly (for a simple cleaning that is)

If you have a ground glass, or a spare focus screen from a broken SLR, you can place it on the back of the camera in bulb mode to see if it looks normalish, since I would imagine optics being turned around would look very weird and unfocused.

 

[hp6350hp]

Thanks everyone, I found this:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100716&highlight=CINTAR

Chris

 

[farlymac]

If you do get it back in wrong, there are folks who like the effect it gives, especially at larger apertures (sharp center, soft surround).

Been so long since I've worked on one of these, I can't tell you which way the second element is supposed to face. The old pros use a suction cup to lift lens elements out of the barrel, so they don't get them mixed up.

PF

 

[hp6350hp]

Thank you Farlymac.
I typically take lots of digital photos on disassembly. This case the lens surprised me and fell out.
Here is the closer look:



Chris