INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
CORPORATION
Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A.

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ARGUS INSTRUCTIONS

ARGUS SERVICE POLICY AND GUARANTEE I
The ARGUS Camera is guaranteed against
defective material and workmanship for 90
days after shipment. This guarantee is lim¥
Ited to the return of the camera to the
factory with transportation charges prepaid,
where any defects will be corrected and the
camera returned with transportation charges
prepaid.

In order that ARGUS owners may be
assured of low up keep cost of our cameras,
after expiration of the above guarantee, the
factory will put in first class condition any
ARGUS Camera shipped to them, with
transportation charges prepaid, and return
it prepaid to the owner for the sum of $1.00.

~-rhis poJrcy-n-e4kctive for Qne year from date of purchase. This does IlClt cover-t ¥placement of camera cases broken through

misuse or cameras which have been abused.
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NOTICE TO ARGUS CAMERA OWNERS
In order that you might insure you r camera against defective material and work¥manship for 90 days after shipment, it is necessary that you fill out the registration card supplied with your camera and return it to our factory within 15 days after pur¥chase. When writing the factory, please men¥tion the model and serial number of your camera.

FIGURE 1
1.
Camera body II. Shutter speed indicator

2.
Counter dial 12. Diaphragh plate

3.
Counter dial indicator 13. Tripod socket

4.
Counter dial release 14. Filter mount

5.
View finder 15. Lens

6.
Sliding calculator 16. Diaphragm pointer

7.
Speed plate 17. Cable release socket

8.
Winding knob 18. Shutter plunger

9.
Locking lug 19. Rewind knob

10.
Lens locking plate 20. Focus indicator

21. Focusing ring

IMPORTANT
The Argus candid camera is a preCISIOn, instrument. The ultimate success of your pic¥3

tures made with a mIniature camera depend largely upon the intelligent use of the camera and the careful handling of your 35 mm. negatives. This instruction book should be read carefully and the ~ser should be familiar with every part of the camera together with an understanding of its func¥tion. It is recommended that the descriptions relative to exposure calculating and the gen¥eral handling of the camera be studied care¥fully before loading the camera with film.
There are many excellent 35 mm. films on the market. Some films are best when used outdoors and others are more suitable for induor or night photography. The slower or medium speed films are noted for fine grain and full color renditions. The faster
Urns have a slightly larger grain size with less colo~o~a.l use-..in night photography or whenever light con¥ditions are unsatisfactory.
35 mm. film may be purchased either in daylight loading cartridges, or in bulk lengths. Film manufacturers furnish bulk film in lengths from 25 foot to 100 foot rolls. Some films are notched and cut into 36 exposure iengths which assists greatly in darkroom loading into cartridges. Eastman or Agfa Cartridges are ideal for loading with bulk film. Your local photo fil1lsher should be able to supply these empty maga¥zines. The ARGUS camera is so constructed that all types of daylight loading 35 mm. magazines may be used.
4

f
I
¥1
Daylight loading cartridges are usually filled WIth 36 exposures of 35 mm. double perforated film. The new Agfa 18 exposure daylight loading magazine is designed es¥pecially for use with the ARGUS Camera. This film is supplied with a paper leader ana trailer which forms a light tight spool and eliminates the necessity of plush lined lips found on other types of magazines. This improved construction eliminates any possi¥bility of film scratches. The new shorter length of film has many advantages and is used exclusively by many ARGUS owners . The ARGUS 18 exposure cartridge is loaded with the very popular Agfa Supreme film and is available at your local ARGUS dealer

or film .supplier.
he-success of miniature negatives depends largely Lipon fine grain deveiopment and careful handling. Careful developing in such solutions as Defender 777 or Eastman DK-20 will result in beautiful grainless nega¥tives. If fine grain developing is not available
locally forward your films áto one of the many laboratories which specialize in work of this type.

LOADING THE ARGUS CAMERA
The accompanying illustration shows the camera being loaded with a regular 36 ex¥posure daylight loading magazine. The same general procedure is used when loading ARGUS Agfa 18 exposure magazines. De¥tailed loading instructions are furnished with
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each roll of ARGUS 18 exposure films. The film in these ARGUS magazines is protected from light by a paper leader and trailer, but when loading or changing the film it is always advisable to do so in subdued light. Bright sunlight should never be allowed to reach a loaded magazine of any type.
FIGURE 2

4. Film advance button 26. Winding shaft
8. Winding knob 27. Film
19. Rewind knob 28. Cartridge retainer
23.
Back hinge clip 29. Pressure pad

24.
Film sprocket 30. Back

25.
Film cartridge 31. Lock Catch

I. Remove camera back (30) by grasping the camera body in left hand and depressing the lock clip which engages the lock catch
(31) of the camera back. The lock clip should 6
be depressed with the left thumb, while. the clip is depressed grasp the leather tab of the camera back lock clip with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand and pull firmly away from the camera case.
2.
Pull out rewind knob (19) as far as it will go. Drop the film cartridge into this end of the camera body with the film lay¥ing over the toothed sprocket (24). Snap rewind knob back in place.

3.
Hold the cartridge in place with the right thumb and draw enough film or paper leader from the cartridge until it extends about one inch beyond the opposite end of the camera.

4. Insert the free end of the film or about

one inch of paper through the slot in wind¥,.., ....-ing shaft (26).
5. Turn winding knob (8) in direction of engraved arrow until the film or paper lies flat on the camera film tracK. When loading film it is best to engage the sprocket teeth
(24) before closing the camera back. When a paper leader is used be sure that the leader is centered 'in the film track.
6. Replace the camera back by first en¥gaging the back hinge clip (23) in the groove atá the cartridge end of the camera body. Hold the camera body in the left hand and depress the lock clip with the thumb. Care¥fully close the back by grasping the leather tab with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand and snaping over the depressed lock clip. Let the clip ri se and engage the
7 lock (31). A bent or twisted back may cause fi lm breakage or scratching. Never attempt to force the back in place. If difficulty is encountered check the position of hinge clip (23); be sure that it is properly engaged.

7. After the back is in place the film must be advanced until a new exposure is in cor¥rect place behind the lens. This is accomp¥lished by turning the winding knob (8) in the direction of the arrow until a click is heard or the film counter dial (2), figure I stops rotating. Depress the counter dial re¥lease (4) momentarily while advancing the film and advance one fu ll rotation of the counter dial. Repeat this operation twice. At this point unexposed film is in correct ex¥posure position for the first picture. The
ounter dial (2) should now be rotated in a countef:'cloC"kwist:"""'-eireai.oLl iJh right thumb until the zero figure is opposite the counter dial indicator (3). The counter dial is held in place by a friction arrangement and a firm pressure is necessary to set the dial.
8.
After the first picture is taken the film should be advanced at once to form a habit of preventing double exposure or blank frames. When the film is advanced one frame the counter dial advances nearly a ~ull . rev,olution and will stop opposite figure I Il1dlcatll1g the number of exposures made.

9.
When paper leader film is used the following procedure should be followed. After the camera back is closed, wind the film about 10 revolutions of the winding knob

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MAKE YOUR OWN PRINTS FOR LESS THAN A CENT EACH
Album prints, in 2% x 41/4 Argus stan¥dard size, actually cost you but a pen¥ny apiece w hen you use a n Argus Speed Printer and Argus Bromex Paper.
EASY, ECONOMICAL, FAST
No focusing, no trimming of paper: merely insert film in glass slide and place paper as shown in illustration. Press handle down for desired expo¥sure. Paper is then de veloped in the usual manner.
See next page for example of picá
ture made with Argus Speed Printer.

ACTUAL SIZE OF STANDARD ARGUS PRINTS

H ERE is the actual size of pictures from 35 mm. film with an Argus Speed Printer on Argus Bromex paper.
Argus Bromex paper comes in single or double weight. glossy, semi-matt or silk finish. in soft, medium or hard. It is cut to the size illustrated, with allowance for an eighth of an inch border around picture. made specific:ally for use in Argus printers.
Both the Argus "Automatic" printer and the Argus "Electromatic" (illustrated on fol¥lowing page) operate on llO-120 volt AC or DC and handle strip film or single negatives.
NEW ARGUS ElECTROMATIC
TAKES All GUESS-WORK
OUT OF PRINT-TIMING

The "Electromatic" Speed Printer is equipped with a photo-electric "eye" which "reads" the density of your nega¥tive and gives proper exposure or tim¥ing in making prints_ Merely set one indicator for negative density. another for paper surface being used. and flip the starting switch_ When print is cor¥rectly exposed. the light goes off-Save paper by getting a GOOD PRINT EVERY TIME; eliminate trial and error methods.
List price
THE "ELECTROMATIC" ....... $35.00

until the counter-button clicks once.
10. Press film advance button and turn the winding knob until the counter dial makes one fu ll revolution before setting the counter dial to zero.
II. When the 36 or 18 exposures have been completed, rewind the film by turning the rewind knob (19) in the direction of the embossed arrow until the winding knob
(8) stops rotating. Never open the camera back until the film has been rewound.
CAUTION.-When winding or rewinding the film be sure that its movement is not restrained by pressing the hand against the free moving knob. Do not attempt to force the film after the counter dial has stopped or the fu ll number of exposures are reached. Attempting to get more pictures may pull the film from the magazine and prevent re¥winding. If this should occur it will be necessary to remove the film in total dark¥ness.
FOCUSING
Snap the lens assembly from the carrying position to the exposing position by turning the lens in either direction until the lock plate projections (10) leave the locking lugs
(9) on the camera front plate. When return¥ing the lens to the carrying position be sure that the focusing ring is at the infinity setting.
Careful focusing is an important factor in the success obtained with your miniature camera. Close up distances should not be
9

guessed. Use a range finder or tape measure. Small diaphragm apertures (f.9 to f.lS) result in a greater range of sharpness and should be used whenever possible. Focusing is ac¥complished by rotating the knurled ring (21) with the tips of the thumb and forefinger. The figure on scale (21) representing the distance between the object to be photo¥graphed and the camera is brought in line with the scribed index on focus indicator (20). Critically sharp negatives are obtained by measuring the distance from the front of the camera case to the su bject of interest.
CALCULATING EXPOSURE

Hold the camera as shown in the accom¥panying illustration (figure 3) normal read¥ing distance. Point the camera at the subject
--OLinteresj: llnd be careful not to include more sky or whi1eb--acKgfOuITd-'-'f:han-necessarY-:-'
The Argus exposure meter makes a direct reading of the reflected light from the sub¥ject.
If the degree of brightness of the subject varies considerably or a rendering of shadow detail is desired, it is advisable to aim the camera at the shaded parts and approach as near as possible to them.
When photographing in bright sunlight, the top of the camera should be shaded with the hand.
TO OBTAIN A READING

1. Hold the camera as illustrated (figure 3) with the forefinger of the left hand on the sliding calculator (6).
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FIGURE 3
2.
Slide the calculator with the left fore¥finger until the metal pointer on the back is directly in line with the last visable bar which appears in the meter interior. Under average sunlight conditions the 3rd or 4th bar from the left will be visible.

3.
When the calculator is in correct posi¥tion hold the camera as it appears in the accompanying illustration (figure 4.)

4.
Set the arrow (32) until it is in the center of the horizontal column on plate (7) which corresponds to the general light condi¥tion. In the illustrated case the arrow (12) is in correct location for an average bright day.

II

ing fraction of seconds 1/ 200, 1/ 100, 1/ 50, 1/ 25 1/ 5 1/ 2 and I second. An exposure of 1/ 5 ~r 1/ 2 a second may be accomplished by using the bulb setting on the shutter. Of course, a tripod must be used to steady the camera for an exposure of 1/ 5 of a second or slower. Learn to depend upon your ex¥posure meter readings. I n general, manufac¥turers Weston ratings of film, change fre¥quently and it is advisable to notice closely all films for changes in rating. I f all negatives are slightly overexposed, use the next faster Weston setting. If underexposed use the next slower Weston rating.
Daylight Tungsten Agfa

Fine Grain Plenachrome 20 12
FIGURE 4
Finopan 20 16 ~5. Move t he iaphragl1T"-plate (34) until-¥Ultra Speed Pan 120 60

the plate uncovers the Weston Speed of the
Supreme Superpan 60 40
film used. I n the illustration a film with a

DuPont

Weston speed of 40 is being used.
XL Pan 64 40

6. Now the diaphragm and shutter speeds
F. G. Parpan 10 8 appear in correct relation on the plate (34) Superior Pan 40 24 and the first vertical column on plate (7)

Eastman

to the Zeit of the sliding calculator. Any ~ Plus X 40 24 combination of shutter and diaphragm set¥Panatomic X 24 16 tings which appear may be used. In the case Super XX 80 50 of the light condition illustrated, only two

Gevaert

combinations may be used, namely a shutter Express Superchrome 6 3 speea of 1/ 100 with a diaphragm setting of
-
Panchromosa 20 12f: 18 or a speed of 1/ 200 at f: 12.7. Reading

Perutz

the speed columns from top to bottom the F'ernomnia Film 16 10figures which appear represent the follow¥
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12

The preceding table lists popular films and SETTING THE DIAPHRAGM
their current Weston ratings. If the ratings do not coinside with the Weston markings on the Argus Exposure meter use the closest setting which does appear.
Color films with a Weston rating of 6 may be set on the exposure meter by lowering slide (34) until the finger tab is in direct contact with the finger tab on slide (33) and arrow (12) is covered by the top slide.
The Argus meter and the above film rat¥ings result in a correctly exposed 35 mm. negative suitable for enlarging.

SETTING THE SHUTTER SPEEDS

Shutter speeds are set by turning the knurled ring (II) until the indicator mark is directly above the desired speed. A setting midway between marked speeds will result in tnal fraCTion of-SCGoR4......FGr_example-witb ¥the indicator between 1/ 50 and 1/ 100 the shutter will operate at 1/ 75 of a second. The shutter speeds are as follows 1/ 25, 1/ 50, 1/ 100, 1/ 200, "8" and "T".
The "T" is the proper setting for time ex¥posures. When the .shutter is set for "Time" one stroke of the plunger (18) will cause the shutter to open and remain open until a second stroke of the plunger is made.
When the shutter speed ring is set opposite "8" the shutter will remain open as long as the plunger (18) is depressed and closes as the pressure is released. When either a "8" or "T" setting is used the camera must be held on a tripod.
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The iris diaphragm regulates the amount of light passing through the lens and is as imp The shutter and diaphragm settings are, of course, taken directly from the Argus meter. The faster shutter speeds with larger diaphragm openings should be used when it is desirable to stop action of the subject. Smaller diaphragm openings with slower

_ ......_ shutter sp.eeds should b USÛ-:I when~a-greater depth of focus is desired for pictures sllch as landscapes.
AIM AND SHOOT
The camera is aimed at the subject by holding the. back of the camera firmly against the face or forehead and sighting through the rear view finder (5) figure I. The view finder shows the subject as it will appear when photographed. The view finder is purposely designed to cover slight¥ly less of the subject than that actually photographed. This difference provides a safety factor and prevents cutting off parts of interesting subjects.
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When the subject has been correctly cen¥tered and composed in the view finder you are ready to make the actual exposure.
The shutter should be operated ' witp a steady squeezing action on the plunger (.,8) while the camera is held firmly against the face ..
The entire lens barrel may be rotated to bring the shutter plunger in a convenient position when using the camera in an inverted or verticaI position. After the first picture has oeen taken advance the film to the next exposure at once.
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ARGUS ACCESSORIES

The shutter plunger (18) may be removed
.... j~f.r.0~j~f''7'' I~ns barrel by !JOscrewin d knu rled sectIOn rom Ie reiea' e socket (17). An. Argus wire cable release may be .,.... substituted. A cable release is desirable when making time exposures or using a slow shutter speed. Argus filters of the slip on type will fit the filter mount (14) of all Argus Cameras. Your local Argus Dealer handles a com¥plete line of accessories for the Argus Camera.
INTERNAT,J ONAL RESEARCH
CORP 0 RAT ION
Ann Arbol,Michigan, U. S. A.

ABM.t5 PRINTED IN U.S.A.