C3 Rangefinder Adjustment

[Harlee]

Well, I finally picked up a really nice C3. I thought about it for a long time and now took the plunge. I love old cameras, and am really impressed with what they are capable of. My new/old C3 needs to have the viewfinder and rangefinder windows cleaned from the inside, and the rangefinder adjusted to stop on infinity, but I cannot seem to find a web site that give instruction on how to dismantle. Any good sites out there that you're aware of that will get me into my C3 to get it cleaned up before I start shooting? I've also got a C44 coming that I'm anxious to see. Thanks!

 

[burninfilm]

How do you get into an Argus C3? Check this out:

Rick Oleson's Argus C3 Notes

The Argus C3 is incredibly simple. You can do alot of the cleaning of the VF/RF windows without completely disassembling the camera. When you open the film door, you should see a circular ring holding the round, rear windows of the VF and RF in place. If you snap these round rings out, the windows can be removed, and you'll gain total access to the viewfinder, and partial access to the RF optics. If cleaning these solves the problem, and the shutter is working well, no further disassembly is required. If the front windows of the RF need cleaning, you'll need to remove the front plate of the camera to gain access to these windows. Refer to the Rock Oleson's "Camera Tech Notes" for information on how to do this. It's a very easy procedure, but might require destroying the original leatherette of the camera. Adjustments for the rangefinder are accessible via the round aluminum cap on the top of the camera.

Good luck!

 

[radiocemetery]

Hi Harlee,

Here is another site to get some good Argus info:


http://arguscg.tripod.com/id92.html

This is from the Argus Collectrors Group. They have posted the US Army repair manual for the C3, and the user's manuals for most of the Argus models. Have fun.

Steve

 

[Harlee]

Wow, I've just spent about an hour trying to align the images in the rangefinder on my C3. The lateral adjustment is EXTREMELY sensitive, and I must have gone back and forth with the two images 30-40 times attempting to get them to line up on infinity. I haven't run a roll through it yet, so I'm not sure if it will be in focus at different distances. I did find out however that my camera was probably made around 1948, but it's in excellent condition. I cleaned out the viewfinder and the rangefinder and they're now as clear as a bell. Perhaps this week I'll get some film in it.

 

[burninfilm]

Glad to see you got the camera cleaned/adjusted. The RF is somewhat tricky to get adjusted properly, as there really is no precise way to move the adjustment a very small amount. So, you tend to go back and forth several times, as you have found out. When you run film through, be very careful about your fingers blocking the lever to engage the shutter, as it will affect the shutter speed if your finger hits it.