Can a seventy year old camera still be used to take decent photos today?
I believe so.
The Argus B is one of the very RAREST of the American assembled models of Argus 35mm camera.
The body was the same bakelite as the popular and plentiful Model A.
But the shutter and lens assembly came from a small batch of European imports. The lens is a French made Gauthier, f:2.9 / 50mm. The shutter is a German Prontor II with speeds from 1/175 to 1 full second plus Bulb and Time, and self-timer. The lens focuses from infinity to 1-1/4 feet by turning the front group.
Only 1,000 examples of the Model B were made, in 1937.
Then I suppose that international tensions precluded the import of any more parts from Europe.
I am fortunate to have a good clean working example of my own. And I have reason to believe that I am only the second owner, since 1937.
Today the 26th of January dawned clear and crisp here in the St.Louis area. Temperatures went up to the 50 degree Fahrenheit range, although last week's snow still remained in the shaded areas.
I loaded my Argus Model B with a roll of Konica Minolta ASA 200 print film and headed for the Transport Museum on Barrett Station Road.
Camera did well for its age and simplicity.
All images are ©2007 E.J.Kowalski.