Argus Argoflex Seventy-five

Specification

Art Deco Credentials

Noteworthy: Worth giving special attention

• Produced after the main Art Deco period;
• Bakelite body;
• Satin finish aluminium plate on front and viewfinder cover;
• Rounded corners from the streamline era;
• Ribbed detailing on front and sides;
• Symmetrical Design

Description

The Argus Argoflex Seventy-Five was produced by Argus, located in Ann Arbor, MI in the USA, starting in 1949. Another name variant of the same pseudo TLR camera was the Argus Seventy-Five later becoming the Argus 75. It is described as a pseudo twin lens reflex camera because the top lens is just part of the viewfinder and does not aid focussing.

The main body was molded from Bakelite, a thermosetting phenolic resin, but the film door is a painted metal. The front panel and viewfinder hood are in a satin-finish metal. The viewfinder is large and bright. A cloth neckstrap is permanently attached to the top of the body.

It produced 6x6cm images on 620 film. It has a knob to wind on and a red window to indicated the current frame.

The 75mm Lumar single meniscus element is placed in front of a fixed aperture of approximately f/12. The shutter is released by a small rectangular button. It features double-exposure prevention including a reminder when the film has been wound on. A red-painted tell-tale blade is visible through the taking lens when it is ready to take a picture. A slider next to the shutter release selects between "Inst" (instant) and "Time" (actually bulb).

There are two connectors, vertically 1³⁄₁₆" apart on the left hand side of the camera, to mount a two pin flash accessory. There is a tripod mount on the base of the camera.

Some cameras have a four-digit code printed inside film door. This indicates the year and month of manufacture. In my example the number was 5111 which corresponds to November of 1951.

How to Use

See Instruction Manual here:- Argus Seventy-five manual. This camera takes 620 film which is still available from selected photographic outlets. Although the actual film is the same as 120 film, the spools are different. The 620 spools are slightly shorter and have a smaller diameter. Do not use 120 film in this camera because it will jam and may snap. It is possible to cut down a spool of 120 film to fit or to re-spool some 120 film onto 620 spools in a darkroom or changing bag. Don't forget to ask for your 620 spool back when getting the film developed.