as a brick and by comparison to newer 35mm cameras maybe as
smart as one to.
produced from 1939 to 1966 by Argus in Ann Arbor, Michigan,USA. The camera was the best-selling
35mm rangefinder camera in the world for nearly thirty years and helped popularize the 35mm format by
introducing photography to the masses.
to the lens by the use of two metal gears attached to the outside of the metal and Bakelite camera body.
A shutter speed control marked 4 through 8 for "scenes", flash and "action" shots sat next to the two viewfinder windows. On top, a monstrous film wind knob and a shutter release that switches between "instant" and "bulb"
and a 0- 40 exposure film counter plus a strange film rewind leaver.
is a rangefinder window for focusing. The rangefinder window was generally of a yellow hue, however other
colors have been known to exist. This one is of the yellow varity. A supplied Depth of Field table also helped to
determine the sharpest focus distances for each of the lenses focal settings.
knobs. Look at the size of the hinge on the door, you could hold up a car door with that.
small flat screwdriver/coin are needed to open it. Once inside 100 or 200 speed film loads right to left. The
small joystick - button behind the shutter release needed to be depressed to unlock the advancing/counter mechanism so you could rewind the film.
I love the two "port holes" in the door that allow you to look through to the two viewfinders.
this one, the Matchmatic, has the the two tone tan and black leatherette. Other changes from the original were
larger rangefinder windows, a chrome teardrop shaped shutter cocking leaver, flatter,wider knobs and buttons
and a coated Cintar 50mm lens. This camera did not come with strap attachments or a tripod mount.
"Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" and the 1940's "The Philadelphia Story".
You know you've made it big when you get featured in the movies.