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Yutaka Seki
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Argus C33
Argus C33

I was just browsing on eBay for film/vintage cameras, as I do on a regular basis, when I came upon this odd duckling, an Argus C33. The chrome finish with the teal faceplate caught my attention, along with the sprocket focusing wheels and just the boxiness of it all. The seller advertised it as 'untested' and 'sold as-is for parts', but it looked clean, so I took a chance for $63, shipping and all (US$48).

The C33 seems somewhat rare; I only saw one other sample for sale on eBay. The camera was apparently only made between 1959 - 1961, and it never gained the level of popularity of the C3, otherwise affectionally known as "The Brick". This C33 is pretty much a brick too, although the advance and rewind levers seem a tad delicate in comparison to the rest of the build.

I already shot a test roll through it and developed it. Exposures look great. I'll scan and post results soon, but the lens is a 50mm f/2.8 Argus Coated Cintar, with minimum aperture of f/22. Shutter speeds are B, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125 and 1/300. Some of the low speeds, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 1, were sticky, but seem to be getting better after playing with the shutter for a while. It's a fun camera to shoot, even if loading film is a bit finicky (there's no slit to insert the film leader, just a 'hook' to grab onto a single film sprocket) and one of the corners of the camera digs into my palm. Small complaints aside, the big sprocket wheel to focus is quite neat and the viewfinder is relatively large and easy to use, even for someone who wears glasses such as myself. I love the rangefinder patch, which looks a bit like an inverted diamond.

Overall, the Argus C33 is just quirky, but its uniqueness also create a whole different shooting experience, so this odd duckling has already won a place in my heart.

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Taken on: February 2, 2020
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Sets appears in:   • Argus C33    • My Cameras    
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Camera: Huawei Nexus 6P, f/2.0, 1/1545 sec, 4.7mm (=0mm), ISO 60 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Huawei Nexus 6P
Aperture: f/2.0
Exposure Time: 0.001 sec (1/1545)
Focal Length: 4.7mm (35mm equivalent: 0mm)
ISO: 60
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash
Exposure Program: Not Defined
Exposure Mode: Auto
Metering Mode: Unknown
White Balance: Auto
Color Space: sRGB
Software: angler-user 8.1.0 OPM7.181205.001 5080180 release-keys
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