[rollei_list] Re: [rolleiusers] Argomania
- From: "Robert Creason" <rcreason-1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:19:01 -0700
The comment about influencing Kodak to switch from 126 to 35mm seems strange
since Kodak did not introduce the 126 film type until 1963.
Bob C.
From: rollei_list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:rollei_list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Don Williams
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 6:14 PM
To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [rollei_list] Re: [rolleiusers] Argomania
At 05:05 PM 1/11/2010, you wrote:
Apologies offered, Frank. This is just another example of US insularity. I
try to be a citizen of the world, but the awful grip of national culture
keeps dragging me back. :-(
Allen Zak
It would appear that Argus Camera Company still exists. Here is a quote
from their web page:
"The first Argus camera, known as the Model A, was manufactured in Ann
Arbor, Michigan in 1936. It was an immediate success as the first low-cost,
easy-to-use 35mm film camera in the world. Thirty thousand cameras were sold
in the first week at $12.50 each! Worldwide sales of this model continued
until 1950. The popularity of the Model A strongly influenced Kodak to
switch their film manufacturing from a 126 to a 35mm format, which remains
the dominant film in use today."
It goes on to describe the C2, the C3 (They use the term "The Brick") as
follows:
"The Argus Model C3, also of the "Brick" design, followed in 1939 and
remained the best-selling 35mm camera in the world for almost three
decades."
Their website shows a lot of modern models, mostly low-end digitals. Who
would have thunk it after all these years.
I have the impression that it's not exactly the same company, but it does
exist and does have, on their website, that history that goes back to the
1930's. Maybe someone knows the path the current company went through, but
I have a notion that it's now a Hong Kong company.
I should have had the sense to do a search before I gave away my C4. It may
be that I could have bought replacement toggle bars, but I really doubt it.
I'll check and if they actually support the older models I'll report back.
In the meantime you can buy new Argus cameras direct from them or at
WalMart, Walgreens, Best Buy, wherever. . . . Be prepared to spend at least
$11.99 for their Sprout Carabiner, their low end entry model.
DAW
DAW
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