New camera

40oz

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Feb 1, 2006
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I was recently gifted with a almost-new Argus Seventy-Five Box Camera. A friend's grandmother recently passed away, and it was one of her belongings. When the family was distributing her belongings and as nobody else wanted it, he kindly thought of me and offered it to a new home in my hands. This thing is immaculate except for a bit of dust on the lenses. The ever-ready case is felt-lined leather, and quite honestly, looks brand new. I mistakenly thought it plastic at first because I have never seen such glossy embossed leather like this. The camera is very solid, despite being stamped steel and plastic. It certainly doesn't feel cheap, despite being very basic in function.

The taking lens reads "Argus Lumar 75mm MADE IN U.S.A." The camera has a single shutter speed (Inst) and aperture is fixed. So I am thinking the shutter is ~1/30 or 1/60. I have no idea what the aperture might be considered, but I'm thinking ~f/8.

Perhaps 3/4 down the page is a picture and short description of this very simple camera, for those interested:
http://arguscg.tripod.com/id57.html

I'd guess the camera was designed for use on sunny days with 25 or 50 ISO film. I have a few folders I tried out with great success on Pan F 50. But those had aperture settings. I intend to try it out with some more Pan F, but I have a roll of Portra 160 NC and Ilford Delta 3200 in the freezer right now. What kind of light do I need to use them, do you think?
 
it's this one model here I suppose? http://merrillphoto.com/Argoflex75.htm
I think it takes 620 film, so you might check if it also works with 120 rolls in order not to screw one (or even the camera) up.
maybe that link helps you about the light question. anyway I think it's all a matter of experience. you learn how the camera reacts to different light, it's hard to tell from scratch.
anyways, have fun with that new old toy 😀
 
Yeah, that's the one. You are correct, it does take 620 film. I just checked, and a 120 spool will not fit without modification. We'll see. I'd like to use it, and I know there are things I can do to make it possible.
 
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