Argus 21 "Markfinder" (1947-1952)

The Argus Model 21 "Markfinder" camera was made by Argus, Inc. in Ann Arbor, Michigan, from 1947 to 1952. It was the first 35 mm camera with a bright frame finder: the viewfinder displays a luminous rectangle outlining the scene that would appear in the picture. Argus made gun sights for the war effort and post-war adapted the technology to this camera. The lens is a scale focusing f/3.5-16 50 mm coated Cintar lens. The design of the solid metal body was inherited from the pre-WWII Argus A3 and CC cameras. The position for the A3/CC exposure calculator is still visible in the pattern of the leatherette on the back. There was a hot shoe on the top for the companion Argus flasholder. The shutter is a behind-the-lens leaf shutter that runs from 1/10 second to 1/200 second and has a bulb setting. The shutter is cocked by advancing the film, preventing accidental double exposures. Argus made about 65,000 of these cameras.

Front

Back

Top

Film Chamber

Argus 21 Ad

This ad from Popular Science magazine shows how the finder works. The mirror marked "C" is a beamsplitter that transmits light from the scene and reflects light from the reticle "A1". The lenses were chosen to put the scene and the reticle in focus at the same time, working on the same principle as a reflex gunsight.

The original Markfinder had the shutter cocked by the film pulling the sprocket wheels as the film was advanced by the winding knob. This unfortunately tended to rip film and the shutter mechanism was changed so that the winding knob cocked the shutter directly, even without film in the camera. This was easier on the film and the new mechanism was carried forward with the C4 camera.

[Update]  Unfortunately this example was damaged in a fall shortly after these pictures were taken. The force of the fall sheared off the head of the screw holding the winding knob. I will need to find a replacement screw, not easy for a 70 year old camera, and extract the old screw to make the repair, assuming nothing was damaged internally. I was able to back out the broken screw with no trouble, and I replaced it with a small machine screw and washers. The camera still works, but I need to get a replacement screw that looks like the original for the sake of appearance.

[Update] I have been given a replacement screw. Sadly the scratches and dent remain.

[Update] I have acquired from Goodwill another Markfinder with a broken shutter (a common failure on these models) but with an undented top plate. I ought to be able to use it to replace the top plate on the battered but working camera.