Argus A3

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Anyway, back to the camera at hand:

Continuing with easy to use cameras, this post will be looking an older camera, and another Argus! This is the Argus A3.

I already went through the history of Argus in my Argus C2 post, so I will just jump into the camera of the hour.

The A3 was released in 1940-1942 and was short lived, due to the C series being used in WWII and the improvement of rangefinder camera technology, to which the A3 just couldn’t keep up with and thus fell to the wayside (Yarbrough 2026).

Although mostly sold as a civilian consumer camera (Yarbrough 2026), there were some sold and used during the war, as Sterritt (2023) shows a military black version that was made possibly in 1943-44 and appears to be even a more simplified variation than the consumer A3.

Military Black A3 front. Image Source:
https://argusinfo.net/Reference/Images/RaritiesProductionCameras/ArmyA3Front.jpg

Military Black A3 back. Image Source:
https://argusinfo.net/Reference/Images/RaritiesProductionCameras/ArmyA3Back.jpg

As with the last two post (AF-Big Finder and the 155X) there isn’t much information on this camera. Two reasons could be because the company records disappeared when the company went out of business and also the fact that it had a short run, couldn’t keep up with the increase in rangefinder cameras and also that it was overshadowed by the C3, which was dubbed as “America’s favourite 35mm Camera” (Sterritt 2023).

But I did manage to scrounge up some information on this camera’s humble beginnings as well as its impact on Argus’ future cameras.

The A3 was a brand new design, which had a streamline design (Halgand 2023), which was a style of industrial design that was brought in around the 1920s in America. Mostly used to improve performance on cars and planes to reduce wind resistance or the “…Cx, the coefficient of aerodynamic resistance, starting from the twenties, also thanks to the invention of the wind tunnel. The Streamline therefore owes its name to the search for aerodynamic shapes. For many years the word ‘aerodynamic’ is used in popular language as a synonym for ‘modern’…” (designindex).

It wasn’t until the 1930s that this went from practical design to an art or décor element, most notably used to make products look new, so that companies could carry on selling products during the collapse of Wall Street (designindex).

Although this camera wasn’t as popular, it did however inspire and become the typical go to for future Argus cameras’ designs (except for the C series of course) (Camera-wiki).

This can be seen in the Argus CC, which has the same body as the A3, but came with a selenium meter (Camera-wiki).

Argus CC. Image Source:
https://aadl.org/sites/default/files/photos/argus_cc.jpg

Other cameras inspired by the A3 are the Model 21, the model M, the Model C44 and many more.

Argus Model 21. Image Source:
https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/images/Argus-Argus-21-(Markfinder).jpg

Argus Model M. Image Source:
https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/3926047758_b6d326fff9.jpg

Argus C44. Image Source:
https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1073/1208702442_e5eee9ddbd.jpg

The camera was designed by Clinton H. Harris, who owned the patent and focused on the design to be as simple and easily assembled as possible and at a low cost. To achieve this: “…certain parts of the camera are pre-assembled. This includes the module containing the lens, shutter, and frame counter. The modular structure offers the advantage of allowing multiple assembly combinations. Clinton Harris specified that he preferred to use the focusing mechanism (patent No. 2,357,326) and the frame counter (patent No. 2,358,327), for which he had previously filed patents…” (Halgand 2023).

Argus A3 patent. Image Source:
https://collection-appareils.fr/argus/images/Argus_A3_eclate_1.png

Anyway… Let’s begin with the close examination.

The Argus A3 as mentioned was released between 1940-1942, but looking at the serial number (as we did with the C2), and the reference given by Sterritt (2025), this camera was possibly made or sold in 1941, seeing that it is under the number of 140980 (1942 start), but significantly higher than 100000 (1940 start).

The camera has an estimated weight of 907g (Pacific Rim Camera 2026) and a size of 5.5 x 3 x 2.5 inches. It has a metal body and as mentioned its most defining feature, the streamlined top plate.

Time to have a closer look, starting with the front.

First the lens-

It is an Anastigmat (please see my Billy Record and C2 post for information on this), with a max f/stop of 4 and focal length of 50mm (Argus Collectors Group).

It is also compatible with filters.

Screenshot from the Manual. 

Despite the lens protruding so much, it is very stable, similar to the Argus A and A2B, and unlike the Falcon F. The lens is also similar to the A and A2B. But there is something that sets it apart from the other A series lenses…

And that is the focus ring.

This ring is behind the lens. On this ring is the distance scale and settings, which is on the top, this ring can be manually set (unlike the other A cameras), by using the focusing lever to turn it.

The focus setting can be set between 1 ¼ - 25 feet and infinity.

 

Now there is an extra setting on this ring, Closed. 

This isn’t a setting, for you see just like the other A cameras in the series, the A3 also has a collapsible lens. The closed setting is an indication of where the ring should be turned in order to lock the lens in place, instead of having to twist it back in place, one must just push it in and set the focus ring to closed.

 

But the focus lever isn’t just there to help the user move the focus ring, but it also doubles as a stand when the lens is set on the closes setting and when it is the most extended.

 

The focus lever helps keep it stable and prevents it from toppling forward!

There are also other rings around the lens that sets the f/stop and the shutter speed.

The f/stop settings are set with a diaphragm lever found at the bottom of the lens. And the f/stop settings that it can be set to are 4, 5.6, 8, 11 and 16. These numbers can be seen either underneath the lens or on top behind the shutter speed numerical values.

The aperture petals like the other Argus A’s are found behind the shutter.

The shutter speed setting or dial is the ring behind the diaphragm lever. The numerical values of the different speed settings are 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 and 1/150 second. There are also two extra settings, the B (bulb, open for as long as the shutter button is pressed down) and T (time, keeps the shutter open when pressed and only closes when the button is pressed again).

The numbers can also be seen on top of the lens barrel, alongside the f/stop values. Probably to make it easier for the user, when changing the setting, so that the user doesn’t have to turn the camera around. If only they did something similar for the frame counter. 

Speaking of the devil…

Next to the lens is the film counter. Now the fans of this blog will most likely have noticed that this camera shares a striking resemblance to the Vokar I and you are right.

Both are the same colour and design (and since the Vokar came after the A3, it might have been inspired by the Argus cameras), but I would say that the A3 did it better. But the Vokar I is a better camera, due to its bigger size and rangefinder…

But I am going off topic. The film counter is connected to a single film frame sprocket, located in the film compartment.

And just like the Vokar, the film counter is in an inconvenient place, because the user would have to stop taking pictures and turn the whole camera around to see what number of frame they are on. Thus ruining the momentum of the photographer and disturbing the flow.

On the side of the lens is the shutter lever/button. The shutter is leaf shutter.

Under the shutter button is the remote shutter release cable socket.

Above the lens-

Here is the viewfinder, small and annoying.

And next to that is the exposure meter. It works similar to the A2B camera’s, but the A3 didn’t come with a slider.

 The exposure meter (according to the manual):

Screenshot from the manual.

The exposure meter is used in tandem with the exposure calculator dial (mentioned a little later).

On top-

Here is the film rewind knob.

Next is the cold shoe plate or accessory clip.

Then there is the film release button, which is pressed down when rewinding the film and also advancing the film.

Then we have the film advance knob.

This layout is different from the other Argus cameras, because it winds film traditionally, from left to right.

Underneath-

Here is the tripod socket and then the film compartment cover release.

This release keeps the cover locked and attached to the main body.

Finally, the back-

Here is the film compartment cover.

On this cover is the exposure calculator dial, which is a complicated process, so I will just share what the manual instructs:

Screenshot from the manual.

 Above the cover is the viewfinder and the other side of the exposure meter.

Now for the film compartment.

The cover (like the Colormatic, the Agfa Clack, the Halina Roy, the , the Kodak 35 RF) completely detaches from the main body.

The film compartment is a standard 35mm film compartment and shoots negative frames of 36 x24 mm. To learn how film works please see my 200 Color Plus post.

I should note that this camera had an option to add a leather carrying case.

Screenshot from the manual.

And honestly, I wish this camera came with one because they are a “…modular leather case…” that “…is lined with purple velveteen and is secured with two metal press studs…” (The Australian War Memorial 2026).

And that is all. As Brugeson (2010) points out, this camera isn’t a widely collected piece, but it does have its own cult following and I can see why. This camera is absolutely beautiful, every time I look at it I think of old cars, specifically James Bond’s DB5. The streamline look is very unique and eye catching.

But what are your thoughts? Do you like the Vokar I better? Would you like one in your collection? What does the A3’s design remind you of? Let me know in the comments.

And as always, thank you for making it to the end and I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.

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List of sources:

Argus Collectors Group. Argus Unique Bodied Cameras. https://www.arguscg.org/reference/unique.shtml

Burgeson, J. 2010. Guide to the Argus A3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJTlFryWmZA

Camera-wiki. Argus A3. https://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Argus_A3

Camera-wiki. Argus CC. https://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Argus_CC

Designindex. Streamline. https://www.designindex.org/definitions/design/streamline.html#0

Halgand, S. 2023. Argus A3. https://collection-appareils.fr/x/html/camera-2740-Argus_A3.html#:~:text=A%20random%20camera%20:,Instruction%20manuals%20for%20Argus

Mike. Argus A3 manual. https://www.butkus.org/chinon/argus/argus_colorcamera/argus_colorcamera.htm

Pacific Rim Camera. ARGUS 35MM CAMERAS. https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/catalog/th_ac12.htm

Sterritt, P. 2023. Argus Production Camera Rarities. https://argusinfo.net/Reference/RaritiesProductionCameras.htm

Sterritt, P. 2025. When was my Argus camera made? https://argusinfo.net/DatingGuide/DatingYourArgus.htm#A3CC

The Australian War Memorial. 2026. Argus A3 anastigmatic camera and case: Wireman Edwin Fagan, RAN. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C286035?image=1

Yarbrough, M. 2026. The 80+ Year Old Argus A3 + Photos. https://besetbylight.com/blog/argus-a3-vintage-camera-review-with-photos