Film cameras
Argus a-four User manual
User manual for Argus a-four. 23 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Argus
- Model / document
- Argus a-four
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 23
- File size
- 2.7 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
new Argus A-Four of yours is a proud new
member of the Argus line. Ve're sure that you'll enjoy its use
-and for a long time to come.
The Argus A-Four is styled with a compact design in the most
modern manner. It is precision built with up'to'the-minute
equipment, manned by the camera industry's most skilled craftsmen.
It is the purpose of this booklet to acquaint you with
your new camera, and thus bring you fullest enjoyment from its use.
. If you plan to take a tripr expose a practice roll or two of film
so that you may become familiar with the operation
of your new Argus A-Four camera.View original page 3Page 5 · Read text
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fris rsgourlgrus
A-rcAR,lilshH
Critically sharp and fully color-corrected, this
44mm. f:3.5 Argus Cintar lens is one of the finest
made in America. The lens openings, or f-stops
control the amount of light that passes through the
lens while the shutter is open. The smallest lens
opening, f:22, lets through the least light. Iiach
succeeding setting doubles the amount of light
passing through. For example, f:11 lets through
twice as much light'as f:16. Indicator shows dia-
phragm set at f:B in illustration at left.
The exposure tables found on pages 12 and 13
will help you select the propcr f-stop for the most
standard types of subjects.View original page 5Page 6 · Read text
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frrsrsgourlgrus
A-rcQRgilUryT€P
The precision-made shutter on your ne\,v
Argus A-Four has four speeds(l/25, l/50,
I/I00, and 11200 second) and a ..B,' setting
for time exposures. Shutter speeds control
the length of time that the shutter stays
open to admit light to the film. Set speed by
turning shutter speed dial so that indicator
mark is opposite desired speed. It is set
at l/100 in this illustration.
The exposure tables found on pages 12
and 13 will help you select the proper shutter
speeds and f-stop for your subjects.View original page 6Page 11 · Read text
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'fhe depth of field scaleo which is lo'
cated on the outside of your new Argus
A-Four lens barrelo is used to indicate
the range of sharpness for each lens
opening. For example, with Your
A-Four focused on 15 feet, and Your
lens at f:8, all subjects between 7'6" and,
infinity will appear sharp.View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
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CORRECTMETHODOF
HANDLINGYOURARGUSA.FOUR
For clear, sharp pictures, center eye
behind eveJriece. Xtlove both heacl ancl
camera simultaneously to center picture.
To make your picture, hold carnera as HORTZONTAL(WtDE)
shon'n in illustrations. Notice position of PICTURES
finger on Shutter Release. Make picture
by depressing Shurter Release slowlr.
in a smooth, firm motion.
To take anorher picture, turn Winding
; ...-"Knob until it stops. Then, cock the
shutter and take your next picturc. %Y
w{f-
W'
VERTICAT(LONG)
PICTURESView original page 12Page 13 · Read text
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hba{WJp*lg*l-frug
First check Exposure Counter. Vhen it reads *t; your film hut been completely exposed' I
Ilold Rewind Lever down and turn Rewind
Knob in direction of arrow until Winding 2 Knob stops turning. One or two extra full
i"r"r ruill' insure c6mplete film return into
cartridge. Rewind Lev^eris depressedduring
entire rewind cycle.
open camera, &s previously^and instructed. Pull
.rp R"rvind Knob rernove film cartridge.
i:
toView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
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lowto hke prcfures I
M,,i
wl s
sb ; i i B
ffi
Hi
l. Unserew the bottom 2. To attach flash gun to
9ap oJ the flash gun and your ,A-Fo3rr, simpll plug install two size C photo- into the side of the camera.
flash batteries. Be sure Your A-Four has built-in
batteries are fresh. synehr onization. Caution:
Do not have a flash bulb in
the gun when attaching.
The flash,bu'Ib is^eiected,automatically by pressing the red button
at the top of theflash gun. This pr"-u"its buried fi,ngers. t lView original page 14Page 15 · Read text
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Guide numbers are given in
the table at right for recom' FtrMv FtAsHBuLB) SM or SF BANTAM 8 5 o r 2 5 58, 258 mended film-flashbulb eombi'
nations. By dividing the aP'
propriate guide number by the Ektochrome Doylight * * * 90
number of feet between your Anscochrome Doylight
camera and subject, you obtain
the correct f :stop setting.*'" Ektochrome Type F 45 85 r20
E X A M P L E : U s i n g E k t a -
chrome Daylight and No. 58 Kodochrome Doylight * * *< 55
bulb, the guide number is 90. Ansco Color Doylight
With a subjeet at l0 ft. divide
90 by 10, which equals 9. Set Kodochrome Type A 55 65* 90*
between f:B and f:ll. Ansco Color Tungsten
Your A4 is automatically Kodok Plus X
synehronized for all types of Ansco Supreme 80 95 r 6 0
midget based bulbs and f or 66X"
electronie flash with delay. Kodok Super XX l r 5 r 3 5 230 AnscoUltro Speed Pon AII Flash exposures inelud-
ing electronic flash, should be
made at | /25 shutter speed. *When using wire-filled floshbulbs with Tungsten-typ-e Kodochrome or Ansco Color, correction
This setting is marked FLASH filters ore recormended,8l-D or equivolentwith KodochromeType A; UV-I6 or equivolent
in green on the bottom of the with Ansco Color Tungsten.
lens barrel. **Use*Blue floshlompsguide numbersrequiredfurnishedwith Doylight-typeby the monufocturercolor films.for "X" deloy electronic equipment.
No other speed adjustments For complete informofion on vorious types of films, floshbulbs, ond filters, consult monu-
t 2 are necessary. focturer's instructions.View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
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(FOR AVERAGE SUBJECTS) sHurrER I snrcxr HAZY ctouDY ctouDYhr SPEED I SUtt suN BRIGHT DUIt
r l
Ektochrome Doylight
Anscochrome Doylight
Ektochrome Type F BETWEEN BETWEEN
(with filter*l 5 . 6 & g 4 & 5 . 6 **
Kodochrome, Ansco Color Doy- BETWEEN BETWEEN
light (or lndoor type with filter*) 5 . 6 & 8 4 & 5 . 6
Kodok Tri-X 5.6
Kodok Super XX
Ansco Ultro Speed Pon
Kodok Plus X
Ansco Supreme
*Correction filters must be used with Tungsten-type films exposed in doylight. Consult monu-
fo cturer's instructions.
**Cloudy-dull light conditions generolly do not provide sotisfoctory color slides. However, ex-
Posures con be mode using the "CIOUDY-BRIGHT" settings ond the next slower shuffer speed
setting.
Setting-sin this chart ore for overoge subiects ot shutter speed shown. Open lens one hotf stop
more for very dorkly colored subjects;close lens one holf stop for very light subiects.View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
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EXpOSURE -This is much more important with color than when making
black-and-white pictures. Follow, carefully, the instructions that accompany
each roll of film, or use a good exposure meter.TI5
SGHTING-Be sure your lighting is even. Both your subject and the back-
ground should be entirely in the sun, or entirely in the shade. For beginners
full face lightings of the "snap-shot" variety are easiest. You will have bestg
results with your camera facing aLuay from the sun, the subject and back'
ground facing into the sun.
WEATHERCONDITIONS-For best color results, confine your photography to
the hours between 9 A.M. and 4 P.M. in summer and 10 A.M. and 3 P.M. in
winter, except when special effects such as sunrise or sunset are desired. Color
pictures made earlier or later in the d"y tend to have a reddish tint due to the
quality of the sunlight. Black and white may be taken at any time during the
d"y with sufficient light.View original page 17Page 18 · Read text
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a
I Keep your principal interest in the eenter of j Keep horizon lines below the middle of the
the picture. ff you're photographing action, picture whether you hold the camera either
catch it moving into the pieture, not out. horizontally or vertically. This gives your
pictures much more strength and interest.
I Keep an eye on what's behind the subject I Keep your camera busy. In photography,
you shoot. Usually, the sky will afford you learn best. by doing. ft's so easy in this
y o u y ou r mo st co n venient and most hobby to transform a failure into a success.
pleasing background.View original page 18Page 20 · Read text
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&ryourlgrus/-frur
Genuine Leqther Corrying cose
to protect your camera from
weather, hard knocks, and dust.
Your Argus Deoler can supply
you with a standard cable release
to fit your A-Four. When usingEosy lo use Argus 76 Flash unit a cable release, the Rewind Leverplugs right into your A-Four. No must be depressed for one-thirddangling wires, nothing to adjust. cycle of each winding.
The threqded bushing on the base of
your Argus A-Four permits the use
of any standard tripod. ft is a useful
accessory for time exposures. Your
Argus Dealer has them in stock.View original page 20Page 22 · Read text
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H E R E ' AS N O T H E FRI N E A R G U S3 5 M M C A M E R A
M83
rt's the world's most popular 3smm camera
-more than a million in rse. Has cintar f:3.5
eolor-corrected lens; lens-coupled rangefinder;
precision shutter with speeds up to 1/300
second; gear-controlled built-in synchronizer-
the flash gun plugs right into the camera. Ideal
for action, flash and gorgeous color. rnter-
changeable lenses give the c-3 the versatilitv -
of eameras costing hundred of dollars .
A M E R I C A ' SM O S T D I S T I N G U I S H E D
Me43 5 MM C A M E R A!
Vith a truly great lens-the Argus Cintar
f:2.8. Lens-coupled rangefinder combined with
large viewfinder; superaccurate shutter . . .
I /10 to L /300 second-perfect complement to
the critically sharp lens; built-in flash synehro-
nizer; film wind coupled to shutter to prevent
double exposure.
t 9View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
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Your Argus A-Four camera was thor' This guarantee is void in the event
oughly inspected and tested before it the camera has been damaged through
was shipped from our factor/: and when accident, misuse, mishandling or for
purchased from an Authorized Argus reasons beyond our control.
Dealer, it is fully guaranteed for a period IIYIPORTANTof one year against defects in workman-
ship or material. Authorized Argus Dealers sell new
If this camera develops defects in ma- Argus equipment at full list price; used
terial or workmanship it will be repaired or rebuilt equipment sold at less than
or replaced (our option) without charge- list price is not guaranteed by the factory'
ARGUS CAMERAS, lNC., ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN
10M-8-s5 Pcrt No. 11176 L I T H O I N U . S . A .View original page 23From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.