“C” is for C3: Argus’s “Brick”
The Brick was the name applied to this rather brick-shaped camera that was very popular in the 30’s to 50’s
The Argus C2 and C3 cameras are a bit hard to tell apart. They are both brick-shaped with the coupled range-finder for focusing. The difference is that the C3 has an internal synch for the flash (evidenced by two plugs on the side to attach the flash apparatus to the camera).
The C2 began production in 1938, and the C3 in 1939. The C3 was a very popular camera (and still a common antique), and continued to be manufactured until 1966.
While you might not have seen a C3, there’s a good chance that you’ve seen a C3 Matchmatic.
You might have seen this camera in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Reference: McKeown’s Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th edition, ISBN 0-931838-40-1
The other cameras featured in this A to Z Challenge are linked on this page.
Penny Higgins - Storyteller • Artist • Scientist 