This Argus camera was produced in USA from 1938 to 1942 by the International Research Corp., attributed to designer Gustav Fassin. Made with a Bakelite body, metal front and back with black fake leather panels and chromed buttons and trims. The nickname "the brick" refers not only to its shape but to its odd weight. Almost 850 grams for a 13 x 6,5 x 4,5 cm camera.
This photo was taken on October 10, 2007 using a Sony DSC-S650.
This photo is visible to everyone
Photo license:
All Rights Reserved
Comments and faves
takacsi75, Cracas, latsch, fedglass / clicheographs exposed, and 43 other people added this photo to their favorites.
srk1941 (56 months ago | reply)
This is the camera I learned photography on in high school!!!!
I loved that camera...
Especially that apostrophe shaped shutter winding trigger on the front left.
galessa's plastics (56 months ago | reply)
hello, steven! I would never say you were this old!
srk1941 (56 months ago | reply)
That's why we're friends, for your discretion.
Roadsidepictures (56 months ago | reply)
I never realized these bodies were bakelite!
srk1941 (56 months ago | reply)
Yeah, I had one for years and never figured that out, and I'm pretty Bakelite friendly...
galessa's plastics (56 months ago | reply)
maybe you were just looking for bodies made of other materials. =D
srk1941 (56 months ago | reply)
Absolutely NOT!
I was a clean teen!
scleroplex (56 months ago | reply)
many people learned photography on this. i started with an Agfa Click III :-))
ricksoloway (56 months ago | reply)
A classic American camera design and nicely photo'd too.
jgs4309976 (56 months ago | reply)
Possibly, the Most Important 35 of all Time, by its duration in the time
jgs4309976 (56 months ago | reply)
I have a camera like this one, www.flickr.com/photos/jeronimogirona/45268767 6/
Ken, KE1RI (56 months ago | reply)
I have several of these and think they are great. It is a quality camera and takes good pictures. There are also several variations including a tan leatherette covering and various attachments.
This was the "everyman" 35mm.
luisa fosco (56 months ago | reply)
estou com uma câmera 120mm dos anos 60, toda de baquellite, acho que você ia gostar..
galessa's plastics (56 months ago | reply)
kb1awv and luisa: show them to us!
iWho? (56 months ago | reply)
I'm an admin for a group called "They don't make them like they used to", and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
--
Seen in Retro World (?)
My TVC 15 (56 months ago | reply)
Yes!
Does it still work?
I had so much fun shotting with it. But you need a good bag to carry it around because of it's weight.
galessa's plastics (56 months ago | reply)
I am afraid it is not working. although if it were I don't think I knew how to do it! I am totally digital and were never very into analogue photography...
Cracas (56 months ago | reply)
Essas velhas cameras que você apanha por aí são um espectáculo!
Xylographile (56 months ago | reply)
My guess would be that it's still working. These things are really sturdy and hard to break.
Here in Van Nuys (56 months ago | reply)
1938? I would have guessed 1965!
fedglass / clicheographs exposed (55 months ago | reply)
The focus dial is metric? I've got a dozen of these old cameras and none are metric. If you every decide to part with it let me know.
Beautiful shot.
galessa's plastics (55 months ago | reply)
As you can see there is a MTR in the focus dial... I think this means meters, but i cannot assure you. I am totally ignorant about photography technology. I am the point-and-shoot type. and digital!
Marsh Rabbit (54 months ago | reply)
I've used an Argus C3 which was similar. Pretty much indestructable.
James at 46 (52 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Argus Camera Group, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
FYI its is believe Gustav Fassin designed the Argus C as he also did the Argus Model A.
That meter scale is a real rarity - thanks for sharing!
galessa's plastics (52 months ago | reply)
thanks, James at 42 for the designer's name! I'll add the pic!
mfophotos (52 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Glass, Brass, and Chrome (photos of classic cameras), and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
phil sterritt (52 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm in a group that's doing research on these cameras. The Metric focusing scale is quite rare, and we'd appreciate more info about the camera. There's an online survey form at www.photo.net/users/philster/Argus/CSurvey/su rvey.htm if you have a couple of minutes free. Thanks!
webted (50 months ago | reply)
Nooooooooooooooooo...
Matt Mann! (38 months ago | reply)
I got one. But i cant shoot with it because every time I advance the film it rips it and cuts the holes on the film up. Any advice on how to fix this so i can use it?
mfophotos (38 months ago | reply)
Matt -- you need to look at a manual. Hold down the little button on top as you start to advance the film and then let up as the film is wound.
JoePhilipson (32 months ago | reply)
OH i just bought one of these...
fedglass / clicheographs exposed (32 months ago | reply)
poglespy (32 months ago | reply)
hi i have 2 . one 10 shutter speeds. one 5 . the 5 mint . the 10 fu**ed.common us . uk rare .both shelf queens. no time to use.sad.!
poglespy (32 months ago | reply)
ps .nickname the brick. pick one up !!!!
WHHollister (32 months ago | reply)
I have this camera, my dad and I took photos with it all the time when I was a kid. I got one myself from an anitque store but the fucus mirros(lenses?) are all out of wack and the two adjustment screws don't help... any advice.
Awesome camera by the way for any interested in using one. Great fun.
galessa's plastics (32 months ago | reply)
Sorry, I have no idea how this thing works!
Just George 2 (32 months ago | reply)
My first Camera - thanks for the memories
guruveee (32 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Camera USA, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
frank schacht / photojournal-worldwide-exklusiv (31 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called TECHNIK / technic worldwide, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
pepper_anne (31 months ago | reply)
Hello! I'm an art student at GRCC and i would like to use your image for a project. We need images of things with mechanical parts. Thanks, e.a.
galessa's plastics (31 months ago | reply)
What is GRCC? Help yourself, there are lots of mechanical parts in this photostream.
countgrismack (30 months ago | reply)
i just bought one and it is interesting that yours in metric. im pretty sure mine works but the lens in the range finder of mine has a crack. :/
poglespy (30 months ago | reply)
it works like all cameras.the range finder is only a focusing aid if it dont work use it like a compact ie iso shutter ect same as a digi.
E.T. Phone Home! (28 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Crazyyy Cool Cameras!, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
jbpics (26 months ago | reply)
Check this out:
www.google.com/patents?id=01kCAAAAEBAJ&pr intsec=abstr...
galessa's plastics (26 months ago | reply)
That is amazing, jbpics!
Thank you for the link. Those pages are in my archives now.
Not to mention Google Patents is the coolest of things! Thanks for that.
photo_secessionist (21 months ago | reply)
Broken? What part? We could get this working again... there isn't much to go wrong! I gave one of these to my son as his first camera. If you can shoot good pictures with the Brick, you have the basics for every other form of "light painting"! Get this old girl working again, run a roll or two through it... unless you are shooting a new Hassie digital, your results with the Argus will be sharper and deeper than most any digital you can imagine.
bigjimMcBob (21 months ago | reply)
I've sold that model on ebay. It is a nice camera...shaped like a brick and weighs almost as much!
This photo was invited and added to the Glass, Brass, and Chrome (photos of classic cameras) group.
This photo was invited and added to the Cameras only group.
This photo was invited and added to the Science, Technology, History group.