The C4 is a 35mm coupled-rangefinder camera built by Argus from 1951 to 1958 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Less handsome than the C-3 and more advanced than the Argus A, the C4 is a solidly built piece of equipment that feels like it will stand up to moderate use on a daily basis.
The viewfinder with superimposed rangefinder is particularly good and film loading is a snap. This particular camera shares its chassis with the Argus 21 Markfinder, though not all C4s do.
I recently ran my first roll of film through this camera, four years after first posting it on this site. I am pleased with the results though the images are softer than I typically prefer. Kodak 400TX is also not my usual film stock, so this camera may need to be revisited.
| Make | Argus |
|---|---|
| Model | C-four |
| Year | 1951- 1958 |
| Format | 35mm |
| Shutter | Argus leaf |
| Speed | B,10,25,50,100,300 |
| Lens | Coated Cintar |
| f2.8 50mm | |
| Focus | 3ft to ∞ |
| Aperture | f2.8 to 22 |
| Light Meter | No |
| Rangefinder | Yes |
Sample images taken on Kodak 400TX, stand-developed HC110 30 min.
I wonder what Argus was going for here — sort-of Leica looks? Their Coated Cintar lenses were usually capable of good sharpness, so I do wonder why your images were soft.
Not sure, but I’ll going to try again with a slower speed film and if that helps. As for looks, I believe they were trying to get away from the “brick” look of earlier Argus models and they succeeded to a degree, though at the expense of build quality. I much prefer the feel of the C-3 to this.
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Shutter on my c-four is stuck open. Any idea of where I can find a repair person?
Live upstate NY