FYI... If you do not have a set screw securing the shutter cocking lever, it will be held on with a locking nut underneath the lever. Be aware, the nut and cocking lever are LEFT HANDED THREADS! You will have to grind a very small 5/16 open end wrench extra thin to slip in the gap between the faceplate and the backside of the cocking lever. Turn the lever CLOCKWISE while turning the nut COUNTERCLOCKWISE. this will unlock them without tearing anything up.
@@tobroken1965 it really did, there’s not a lot of visual examples of how this stuff is supposed to work. I read the manual for 2 days and didn’t get what I needed to do. Watched this and within an hour I had the camera firing
Thanks for taking the time to produce this excellent video on the C3! Your information on the CLA process makes working on my ‘new’ Argus C3 lead to a successful conclusion.
Glad I could help. Once cleaned and ready it should give good results, Tony Vaccaro carried one of these through his action in Europe during WW2 and got some amazing pics. Good luck.
well sir - you sure have a commanding knowledge regarding disassembly of these argus cameras. I build cameras from various donated midcentury broken cameras and needed to see how to get to the shutter for my current project. I'm Pairing a David white stern body with an argus shutter and lens. keeping fingers crossed at all times... thanks for the tutorial,,, box
Any advice for getting the thin metal tension strip back onto the core of the cocking lever? Mine has come off and it looks like it could be either soldered or it might have originally been rivited? I need a reference picture to see where exactly to solder it. Also, does the shutter release plunger actually touch the top of the jagged cocking lever or does it get pushed out of the way? I really could use a video explaining this right about now. Thanks if you answer.
@@tobroken1965 well, I stayed up and figured it out. The metal tension strip had once been wrapped around the inside of the cocking lever core and soldered. Mine broke off (previous owner must’ve twisted the lever so hard that it literally broke the metal free). I ended up soldering it back. I’ll be posting the video and pics of my surprising success soon. I’ve learned so much and the camera actually works now! Thanks for offering to have another look at yours.
A little tricky but not hard. Install the timer lever on its post, hold the camera body with one hand so that the lever is upright, it should be able to tip out from the body a little bit. With the other hand lower the face onto the camera body, watch closely, you should be able to set the strap over the top end (the thin end) of the lever. If it tips over just set it upright and try again. Once the tip is under the strap you can settle the face over the body with relative ease. The critical part is to not over-tighten the face screws. The Bakelite body is strong but brittle and the holes can strip easily is to much force is applied. Snug is good. Once back together check all functions and if all is well you are ready to apply new leatherette of what ever you choose.
Hi, what is the official type of screw mount for this camera? I have one at home and I’d like to adapt the lens to my Sony e-mount. I know the Argus is a screw mount but not sure if it has an official name for it. I know it’s not a C mount or a Leica M mount nor an M42 screw mount. Thank you
I have an Argus c3 from 1947 and when I look through the rangefinder to focus it does nothing. The blue and yellow parts of the glass do nothing. They don’t focus or move or anything and I can’t find anything online that addresses this issue. It’s frustrating and in an attempt to “fix” it I messed with the screws on top of the camera underneath the rangefinder adjusting cap and now it’s completely out of wack and I don’t know how to adjust it back. Really irritating.
Your comment got caught in a filter, I just found it. Try this link, it's not all encompassing but should get you started. These are very simple cameras and are not hard to repair. It sounds like the range finder is stuck or way a push rod has become disconnected.
@@allan473 oops, here are two; www.mikeeckman.com/2019/08/argus-c-series-part-ii-repairs/ blia101photo.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-argus-c3-repair-guide.html These will get you going, there are lots of links available.
@@tobroken1965 How about actually REMOVING the focus ring from the faceplate? NOTHING I've been steered to shows any more than a guy sheepishly cleaning it with a Q-tip and muttering about not knowing...
FYI... If you do not have a set screw securing the shutter cocking lever, it will be held on with a locking nut underneath the lever. Be aware, the nut and cocking lever are LEFT HANDED THREADS! You will have to grind a very small 5/16 open end wrench extra thin to slip in the gap between the faceplate and the backside of the cocking lever. Turn the lever CLOCKWISE while turning the nut COUNTERCLOCKWISE. this will unlock them without tearing anything up.
I just used this video to repair a C2, thank you so much for this.
Glad it helped
@@tobroken1965 it really did, there’s not a lot of visual examples of how this stuff is supposed to work. I read the manual for 2 days and didn’t get what I needed to do. Watched this and within an hour I had the camera firing
That's why I like to do them. I'm not an expert, but I like fixing these old cameras and other small gadgets.
Thanks for taking the time to produce this excellent video on the C3! Your information on the CLA process makes working on my ‘new’ Argus C3 lead to a successful conclusion.
Glad I could help. Once cleaned and ready it should give good results, Tony Vaccaro carried one of these through his action in Europe during WW2 and got some amazing pics. Good luck.
well sir - you sure have a commanding knowledge regarding disassembly of these argus cameras.
I build cameras from various donated midcentury broken cameras and needed to see how to get to the shutter for my current project.
I'm Pairing a David white stern body with an argus shutter and lens. keeping fingers crossed at all times...
thanks for the tutorial,,, box
Any advice for getting the thin metal tension strip back onto the core of the cocking lever? Mine has come off and it looks like it could be either soldered or it might have originally been rivited? I need a reference picture to see where exactly to solder it. Also, does the shutter release plunger actually touch the top of the jagged cocking lever or does it get pushed out of the way? I really could use a video explaining this right about now. Thanks if you answer.
I will have to have another look, i havent worked on one in a while so I need a refresher.
@@tobroken1965 well, I stayed up and figured it out. The metal tension strip had once been wrapped around the inside of the cocking lever core and soldered. Mine broke off (previous owner must’ve twisted the lever so hard that it literally broke the metal free). I ended up soldering it back. I’ll be posting the video and pics of my surprising success soon. I’ve learned so much and the camera actually works now! Thanks for offering to have another look at yours.
The only reason I tuned in was to see how to remove the focus ring from the faceplate. ANYONE KNOW HOW? Short of a pin punch and a hammer?
I'm not sure why you would even consider a pin punch and hammer but I just uploaded a video on unscrewing the lens.
This is a fantastic video. Thank you.
How do I get the front cover back on so that the timer leaver fits under the strap?
A little tricky but not hard. Install the timer lever on its post, hold the camera body with one hand so that the lever is upright, it should be able to tip out from the body a little bit. With the other hand lower the face onto the camera body, watch closely, you should be able to set the strap over the top end (the thin end) of the lever. If it tips over just set it upright and try again. Once the tip is under the strap you can settle the face over the body with relative ease. The critical part is to not over-tighten the face screws. The Bakelite body is strong but brittle and the holes can strip easily is to much force is applied. Snug is good. Once back together check all functions and if all is well you are ready to apply new leatherette of what ever you choose.
My shutter controll knob fell of and I can’t seem to get it to go back on and work any ideas
The release button by your left index finger? Most screw on (or off) and have a tiny set screw to hold them in place. Check that first.
Hi, what is the official type of screw mount for this camera? I have one at home and I’d like to adapt the lens to my Sony e-mount. I know the Argus is a screw mount but not sure if it has an official name for it. I know it’s not a C mount or a Leica M mount nor an M42 screw mount. Thank you
I'm pretty sure its 33 mm but I have no idea how you could adapt that to anything.
I have an Argus c3 from 1947 and when I look through the rangefinder to focus it does nothing. The blue and yellow parts of the glass do nothing. They don’t focus or move or anything and I can’t find anything online that addresses this issue. It’s frustrating and in an attempt to “fix” it I messed with the screws on top of the camera underneath the rangefinder adjusting cap and now it’s completely out of wack and I don’t know how to adjust it back. Really irritating.
Your comment got caught in a filter, I just found it. Try this link, it's not all encompassing but should get you started. These are very simple cameras and are not hard to repair. It sounds like the range finder is stuck or way a push rod has become disconnected.
tobroken1965 where’s the link?
@@allan473 oops, here are two; www.mikeeckman.com/2019/08/argus-c-series-part-ii-repairs/
blia101photo.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-argus-c3-repair-guide.html
These will get you going, there are lots of links available.
@@tobroken1965 How about actually REMOVING the focus ring from the faceplate? NOTHING I've been steered to shows any more than a guy sheepishly cleaning it with a Q-tip and muttering about not knowing...
Do you have an email address? I have a few dozen of these now.