MODEL E

INSTRUCTION BOOI{

YOUR ARGOFLEX CAMERA
You r Argoflex camera is a precision instru¥
ment of All-American manufacture. I t is
known as a twin-lens reflex camera because
it is equipped with two identical lenses, one
used as a view finder and focusing lens, the
other for actual picture taking.
The two f4.5 Varex lenses with which
your Model E Argus is equipped are three
element Anastigmat lenses of 75 mm. focal
length. Both the focusing and the taking
lenses are idt:.ntical and are accurately com¥
pounded of a number of pieces of optical
glass co rrectly chosen and combined to pro¥
duce crisp sharp negatives. The use of iden¥
tical lenses for both focusing and taking as¥
su res Argoflex owners of critically exact fo¥
cus. Color correction is achieved in the
Va rex lenses by exact computation and ac¥
curate grinding which assures a precision
built piece of optical equipment.
All Argus lenses are manufactured by wel!¥known American lens manufacturers and their speed ratings, expressed in "f" values, are accurate and guaranteed.
Althou~h your Argoflex camera is rug¥~edly buIlt to stand years of hard service, It must be treated with the same care as any other hIgh quality precision instrument.
ever attempt any repairs yourself and never oil the camera mechanism. The deli¥cate adjustments in any camera demand an experienced repair man for the work, and can be most satisfactorily done in our own Service Department.' (See guarantee and service policy on back of this book.)

INSTRUCTIONS
I. Load the camera as shown on pages 12 and 13.
2.
Open focusing hood by releasing catch No.8, Figure I.

3.
Set shutter speed adjustment No. S and lens opening No. 12.

4.
Focus by turning knurled ring No. II.

S. Make exposure by pressing shut¥
. ter release lever No.6, SLOWLY, don't "jab".
6. Advance the film after each ex¥posure.

IMPORTANT
If you are accustomed to using a candid type camera, the above brief instructions will suffice. I t is strongly recommended, however, that the ex¥perienced ama teu r as well as the be¥ginner read the step by step instruc¥tions which are given on the following pages.
3
FIGURE I
I. Magnifying Glass 7. Cable Release Socket
2. Back Release Catch 8. Hood Release Catch
3. Film Winding Knob 9. Direct Vision Finder
4.
Depth of Focus Scale 10. Focusing Lens

5.
Shutter Speed Adjust¥11 . Focusing Ring ment 12. Stop Lever

6. Shutter Release Lever 13. Taking Lens

LET'S PRACTICE FIRST
A few moments spent with your empty Argoflex camera and this instruction book will repay you many times over in improv¥ed pictures.
Follow the instructions carefu lly and d~¥liberately, going through each motion just as though you were making a picture. Prac¥tice making imaginary pictures until you have thoroughly mastered the operation of ' each part of the camera.
When you have done this, the operation of the camera becomes more or less auto¥matic and more time and thought may be devoted to lighting conditions, exposures, composition and many other factors which go to make up a satisFactory picture.
Exploring Your CamElra-Hold the cam¥era with the lens facing you, and refer to Fig. I. The upper lens ( 10) is the focusing lens and reflects its image by means of a mirror on to the ground glass in the focus¥ing hood. The lower lens (13) is the actual camera lens which takes the picture.
On the lower lens are two adjustments. The shutter speed adjustment (5) gives you your selection of five shutter speeds from 1/ 10 to 1/ 200 of a second by revolving the outer ring until the scored mark rests op¥posite the shutter speed required. The aper¥ture or lens opening is adjusted by moving the pointer (12) along the scale ranging from f4.5 to f iS.
To better understand the operation of this ve ry important p~rt of your camera, set the
5

shutter speed adjustment (5) at 1/ 10 of a second and open the back of the camera by depressing the two catches (2) at the top of the camera with the thumb and forefinger.
Point the lens toward a bright source of light and press the shutter release lever (6) several times while varying the shutter speed dial from 1/ 10 to 1/200. Notice the smooth action of the shutter mechanism.
Now set the shutter speed dial (5) to "B" or bulbá exposure. Notice now that when you press the lever (6) the shutter remai ns open until you remove your finger. By set¥ting the dial at "T " or time exposure, the shutter wi ll open when pressed the first time and close when pressed the second time. Try this several times and then le~ve the shutter open while you practICe uSlllg the diaphragm or lens opening adjustment, com¥
monly referred to as "stop-lever." With the shutter open and the lens poin t¥ed toward a light, move the stop lever ( 12) from f4.5 to fl8 and back again. Notice how the diaphragm closes and lets in less light through the lens at each successively higher stop number. T his adjustment, together with your shut¥ter speed adjustment, enables you to adapt your camera to various kinds of light C~lI1¥ditions as well as to subjects with varylllg degrees of motion. For suggested shutter speeds and stop-Ie\'¥er settings using Verichrome or Plenachrome film out of doors, consult the table, Fig. 12.
6
FIGURE 2 FIGURE 3

Making Practice Exposures-Now slip the thumb nai l under the hood release catch (8) allowing the entire hood to snap into position. This hood contains both the ground glass and the di rect view finder. You will use the ground glass or reflex finder most often, so let's investigate it first. I-Iolcl the camera as shown in Fig. 5, looking down into the hood, and pointing your camera at any well lighted object, you will see that this object appears on the ground glass finder as shown in Fig. 2. This image is the same size as that included on the film and will look exactly li ke your finished print.
FIGURE 4 FIGURE 5 FIGURE 6

FIGURE 7
Now swing the magnifying glass into po¥sItIOn by pu shing down on the lever (14). Raise the camera to your eye and sight through this glass as shown in Fig. 4. Bring your eye as close tQ the magnifying glass as .. IS necessary to secure sharp magnification. Now rotate the focusing ring (II) and no¥tice how the image moves in and out of focus. Practice focu ing the len s exactly by slghtlllg objects at near and far distances throug~ the magnirying glass and bringá them to needle sharp focus.
To make an "imaginary" picture, first set your shutter speed and stop opening accord¥IIlg to the light conditions by referring to the exposure table or by use of an exposure meter. Then with the magnifying glass in position, focus the lens as previously des¥cribed until the image is sharp. low swing the magnifying glass out of the way and push it down into hood with the fore-finger.
WIth the camera held at waist level as in Fig. 5, frame the picture as you wish to have it on your finished print, and when it
8
is exactly as you want it, slowly depress the shutter release lever. (6).
Immediately arter your exposure, turn tbe film winding 'mob, so that you will ac¥quire the habit of advancing the film im¥mediately after each exposure. This precau¥tion will prevent double exposed negatives.
A leather carrying strap is included as

. standard equipment with the Argoflex cam¥era. When used as shown in Fig. 5, it helps steady the camera while making the expo¥sure, and is a safe-guard against accident¥ally dropping the camera.
The Direct Vision Finder-For rapid fire eye level shots, the dir.ect vision finder is most convenient. To u~ this finder, push 'down on the center panel of the hood (9) , in Fig. I until the panel engages with the catches. (Caution: Do not attempt to force panel past catcbes. To release from this position, apply slight outward pressure on . rear hood panel). Hold the camera as shown in Fig. 6 and center your subject in the square opening provided by the view finder. Remember that in taking a picture with the direct view finder, you must first focus t]!e camera either by using the ground glass to secure a sharp image or by estima¥ting the distance from the camera to the subject a!1d setting the footagf. 'indicator
(15) III FIg. 7, opposite the center line (17).

After the shutter has been set for the pro¥per speed and opening, and focused to the proper distance, the exposure is made in the ~sual man!1er by depressing the lever (6) III FIg. I. Agalll remem ber to wind the film immediately after making the exposure.
To fold down the reflex hood for carrying, first be sure that the magnifying glass is in the "down" position. Then fold the right and left hood wings down, followed by the rear hood plate. The front hood plate then folds into place and holds the entire hood in position.
Time and Bulb Exposures-For taking time exposure with either the "T" or "8" settings of the shu tter, your camera must be placed on a 'firm support such as a tripod or table. The tripod socket (20), Fig. II and supporting feet are built into the Argu camera for this purpose. To avoid jarring the camera during exposure longer than 1/25 of a second, a cable release may, be used. It may be screwed into the cable release socket (7) Fig. I and the shutter operated without touching the camera itself.
Close-Up Pictures-For taking pictures at distances closer than eight feet, extra precautions are required. I n any camera, the finder and lens itself do not "see" or cover quite the same area, due to the slight difference in position of the two lenses. At distances beyond eight feet, no correction need be made for this error, but on extreme close-ups, the image on the ground glass or in the direct view finder must be kept at least a quarter of an inch from the top edge of the finder. Allowing this margin wIll prevent the cutting off of heads or other parts of the subject in the fini shed print.
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The Distance and Depth of Focus Scale

T he Argoflex is equipped with a distance scale (15) Fig. 7 and a depth of field scale
(16) Fig. 7. T he distance scale is for use when you wish to estimate the distance between the camera and the subject and set the lens accordingly. This is done by turning the dial ( II ) until the desired footage is opposite the center mark (17).
The depth of field or depth of focus scale is to indicate what objects in your picture are sharp from front to rea r.
For example, if you were making a picture of a group of people which measured in depth five feet from the fron t row to the back row, and you desired the faces in the front row to be as sharp as those in the back, you can by referring to the depth of 'field table, determine what lens opening you must use to be certain of a sharp, clear picture.
As shown in Fig. 7, at a distance of seven feet with the lens wide open, the picture would be sharp from a point six feet be¥yono the camera to a point a little less than eight feet beyond the camera. If the closest object to the camera which you desire to have sharp was five feet and the farthest one about ten feet away and you wanted both of them sharp in the picture, it would be necessary to set the lens opening at 12.7.
This depth of field scale will prove very helpful and until you have thoroughly mastered it, it would be well to keep a record of the stop openings used in the
II
various pictures and compare them with your fini shed prints.
LOADING YOUR CAMERA
. After. you have followed the foregoing IIlstructlOns carefully, you are ready to load your camera with film .
The Argoflex is designed to take either the Eastman 120 or 620, or the Agfa B2 or PB20 film. These sizes are standard and are easily obtainable. Make sure tbat the film you buy is centeT1narked for 12 exposures. ~YourArgus camera makes 12 2y,( x Zy,; IIlch pictures on a standard eight exposure roll). There is a wide selection of film speeds available in this size, ranging from the fine grain Eastman Panatomic X or Agfa Fin¥opan film up to the Eastman Plus X or Ag¥fa Superpan Supreme Film. For indoor use or where high shutter speeds are required outdoors, Eastman Super XX or Agfa Ultra¥Speed Panchromatic Film are recommended. For normal outdoor use, and particularly
FIGURE 8 FIGURE 9
for beginners, Eastman Verichrome or Agfa Plenachrome film will be found most sat¥isfactory. (The exposu re table fu rnished in this booklet is designed for use with Plenachrome or Verichrome film).
Always load your camera in subdued light. Open the back of the camera by de¥pressing the two releases (2) and pulling outward on the back. With the camera open, be sure that the empty film spool is in the top compartment. I f it is not, insert it there by pulling outward on the film wind¥ing knob No.3, giving it a quarter of a tum to lock it in the "out" position. With the left hand, pullout on the spool retaining knob (19) and while holding it, insert the spool with the slotted end to the right. Re¥lease the spool retaining knob, allowing it to snap back into position, and turn the film winding knob (3) another quarter of a turn allowing it to snap back into position. Be sure that it returns completely to its original position. Turn the empty film spool

until the slot is up. Proceed to .load the camera by inse rting the fullá roll of film in the bottom compartment, as shown in Fig¥ure 8.
Grasp the end of the film as shown in Figure 8, pull the film up and across the two rollers and in sert the end of the film in the slot of the upper spool, Figure 9.
Give the film winding knob (3) one or two turns as shown in Figure 10 to make sure the film is secu red toá the. spool.
Snap the back of the camera shut making certain that it is securely locked. Depress the film window flap (21) and holding it open as shown in Figure II , begin winding until the warning dots or hands on the back of the film begin to appear in the filni window (22). Wind slowly and carefully until the No. I appears in the film window. Remove the thumb from the film window flap knob (21) allowing it to snap into closed position. You are now ready to make your first exposure, after which the wind¥ing procedure should be repeated, turning slowly until the No.2 appears in the film window. Develop the habit of immediate¥ly winding the film after each exposure. in order to prevent double exposure. Re¥member also that your film will give you twelve expos ures on an eight exposure roll.
When you have taken a ll twelve pictures, continue to wind the film until the paper trailer is completely wound on to the upper spool. The exposed film may be removed from the camera as described above.
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Before1/ 75 second shutter 10 A.M. to 10 A.M. andspeed may be had by 2 P.M.
After 2 P.M.
setting the shu t t e r
speed dial mid-may l>c-¥ Shutter Stop Shutter Stop tween 1/ 50 and 1/ 100 Speed Speed
--,---;-:-::::----I--=-::_::___ -¥
Clear 1/50 f:6.3
1/25 f:lP Summer Overcast 1/ 25 f: 6.3
1/ 50 f:6.3 Shaded
Very Dull 1/ 25 -f:4.5
1/25 f:6.3
Loca-
Clear 1/ 50 f:4.5
1/ 50 f:6.3
{tions Winter Overcast 1/ 25 f:4.5
1/ 50 f:4.5 l
Very Dull 1/ 10 -f:4.5
1/25 f:4.5
l Clear 1/ 50 f:6.3
1/ 100 f: 6.3
Summer Overcast 1/ 75 f:4.5
1/ 50 f:6.3 Por-
Very Dull 1/ 50 f:4.5
1/ 75 f:4.5 traits
Clear 1/ 50 f:4.5
1/50 f:6.3
{Winter Overcast 1/25 f:4.5
1/50 f:4.5 .
Very Dull 1/ 10 f:4.5
1/ 25 f:4.5
Street
Clear 1/ 100 f:6.3
1/ 50 f:1 2.7 Scenes
{summer Overcast 1/50 f:6.3
1/ 100 f:6.3
Snap-
Very Dull 1/ 75 f:4.5
1/50 f:6.3 shots
Clear 1/50 f:6.3
1/ 100 f:6.3 Grou ps
Winter Overcast 1/75 f:4.5
1/ 50 f:6.3 in open
_ _ _ Very Dull ~f:4.5
~f:4.5
1/50 f:18 Summer Overcast 1/ 100 f:6.3
Clear 1/50 f:12.7
1/ 50 f:12.7 Distant
1/ 100 f:6.3 Land-
Very Dull 1/50 f:6.3
1/50 f:12.7
Clear 1/ 100 f:6.3
scapes

{
1/ 100 f:6.3 .
Winter Overcast 1/50 f:6.3
1/50 f:6.3
Very Dull 1/ 75 f:4.5
---lClear 1/ 100 f:18
1/ 200 f:18 Marine
{summer Overcast 1/ 100 f:12.7
1/ 200 f:12.7 views
Very Dull 1/ 200 f:6.3
1/ 75 f:12.7 and
Clear 1/ 100 f:12.7
1/ 200 f:12.7 Snow
Winter Overcast 1/ 200 f:6.3
1/75 f:12.7 Scenes
Very Dull 1/ 100 f:6.3
1/ 200 f:6.3
----lClear 1/200 f:4.5
1/ 200 f:6.3 Summer Overcast 1/ 100 f:4.5
1/ 200 f:4.5 Sports
Very Dull 1/50 f:4.5
1/ 100 f:4.5 Shots
Clear 1/ 100 f:4.5
1/ 200 f:4.5
{in open Win ter Overcast 1/ 75 f:4.5
1/ 100 f:4.5 Very Dull 1/ 50 f:4.5
1/ 75 f:4.5
Indoor exposures may be made with two No. I photoBood lamps in reBectors 4 feet from subject exposing 1/50 second f45.
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To protect your Argoflex from
dust, weather, and accidental
damage, and for convenience in
carrying, this attract~ve brown
leather carrying case is available.
The handy case is beautifully
. ntad~ áQtá.senuine top
grain cow-hide, 4 oz.
leather atld is equ ipp¥
ed with a shoulder

strap of regt.;!:;tion length. The price is 5.00. Part o. CE50. A k to see ir at your dealer.
Also available for your Argoflex is a 6 in. cable release (Part o. E51) a valuable ac¥cessory for ti me exposures and a conven¥;~nce for all camera work. Price 40c
GUARANTEE AND SERVICE POLICY
Argus cameras are guaranteed 3gainst defective :natcrial and workmanship for ninety days after ~hipment. The camera should be returned to the factory with rransporratiQn charges pre.p.aid. The defect will be promptly corrected :lnd the cam¥cra returned prepaid.
To assure Argus owners of low upkeep costs, after expiration or above guarantee, the faerar'y will inspect ar.d re-adjust allY Model E Argo£lcx camera shipped to them prepaid and return it to the owner prepaid (or the sum of $J .Jo. This policy is effective for onc };ear from date of pur¥cha!c and applies only to cameras sent direct:iy to the factory by the owner. This docs not cover Icplacement of cameras broken througb misuse or (:ameras which ha ve been abused.
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
CORPORATION
Ann Arbor. Michigan. U.S.A.