Argus Rarities -- Photographic Accessories

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Copyright 2008-2022 Phillip G. Sterritt

Last modified 10/26/2022

Items are listed in decreasing order of rarity, where known.

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Microscope adapter for model A (1936)

Microscope adapter for model A
No known examples, unknown production.


Argus tripod (contemporary with the early Model A)

Argus tripod
No known examples, unknown production.


Accessory handbag for A-4 (1953)

Accessory handbag for A-4
Available in green, blue or tan ('palomino'). No known examples, unknown production.


Tripod adapter for early Model A (1936)

Argus tripod adapter for model A Wm. Grace tripod adapter for model A
Adapters to allow the earliest Model A, sold without tripod socket, to be mounted on a tripod. Especially desirable is the original Argus model (above), from Bob Kelly collection. Below, an aftermarket model by Wm. Grace Co. showing how it was used. Few known examples, unknown production.


Don focus mount for Argus A (1938)

Don focus mount for Argus A
A few cameras known with this modification (two versions), no known examples that include Argus documentation or labeling, one example of IRC brochure for this, unknown production.


Metric focusing scale for C/C-2/C-3 cameras (1939-1942)

Metric focusing scale for C series cameras
Five cameras have been found with these, four C2s and one C3, all pre-World War II vintage. Cameras made in Europe (not Britain) often have focusing scales in meters, so these may have been made for foreign sales. They may also have been provided as replacement scales for use in scientific or perhaps military applications.


Ontora Operation Sequence Enforcement Accessory for C-3 (1956)

Ontora operation sequence accessory for C3 Ontora operation sequence accessory illustrated steps
A few known instances. An aftermarket accessory, made by Ontora Corp of Los Angeles, California. Installed on the top of the camera, linked to film advance and shutter release; instructed the user on the proper sequence of steps to operate the camera in taking a picture. First three steps were permanently engraved on the top plate; subsequent steps 4-6 appeared one-by-one in a window below the first three as the user performed each step. Prevented double exposures and missed exposures, and put the finishing touch on the Rube Goldberg aspects of the camera design.


Techniscope or Arguscope (late 1930s)

Techniscope or Arguscope
Sold under both names. One known complete example, a few examples of 'head' alone, unknown production.


Photar hand-held exposure meter (1939)

Photar light meter
Several known examples, estimated production 500 units. Two known variants of finish on the dial face.


C Series Macro Kit (1939)

C Series Macro Kit C Series Macro Kit brochure
Originally produced for the Model C. Several known examples, unknown production. Examples seen with both blue and maroon velvet lining.


Argus Home Viewer (PAX) slide projector (1942)

Home Viewer slide projector
A few known examples, unknown production.


MagnaSlide, TeleSlide and Slide-Light (1947)

Slide Viewers late 1940s
Black plastic slide viewers, late-1940s vintage, unknown production.


Argus Ceiling Projector (1946)

Ceiling Projector
A few thousand made. Produced under both Argus and Vu-Aid brands.


Argus Executive console slide projector (Model 580) (1961)

Argus Executive console slide projector
A few known examples, unknown production.


ColorViewer 2-1/4 square slide viewer (Model 661) (mid-1950s)

ColorViewer 2-1/4 square slide viewer AustralianColorViewer 2-1/4 square slide viewer
(Upper photo on the left; Hanimex viewer on the right is the size of the original 35mm PreViewer, for scale) Several known examples, unknown production. Have been found in boxes with and without 'Sylvania' markings, so may be more common than thought. Lower photo is of the Australian model, of which there is one known example, from collection of Jonathan Bean.


Argus Canada products (1950s-60s)

Argus Canada products
From the Canadian subsidiary of Argus of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Includes 'Argus Canadian' slide viewer, various slide projectors, slide trays, etc. Unknown production.


Argus/Hanimex products (other than the Argus 75 cameras) (1950s - 60s)

Argus Hanimex products
Sold throughout the United Kingdom. Several colors of 'PreViewer' slide viewer, some labeled Argus, others Hanimex; various slide projectors, etc. Unknown production.