Argus 50mm Cintar Lens (1937)
A 50mm f/3.5 triplet anastigmat lens made for Argus C-Series cameras, notably the C3.
Overview
The Argus 50mm Cintar is the standard lens for Argus C-Series cameras, particularly the Argus C3 introduced in 1937. It came in several versions, including a coated f/3.5 model and a less common f/2.8 variant. The f/3.5 version is a three-element airspaced anastigmat, color-corrected and hard coated. It was a cheaper alternative to the more complex four-element lenses. It was standard on one of the best-known American 35mm rangefinder cameras of the era.
Specifications
| Focal Length | 50mm |
| Aperture | f/3.5 - f/16 |
| Aperture Settings | f/4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 |
| Focus Range | 3–50 feet +∞ |
| Lens Construction | 3-element airspaced anastigmat |
| Coating | Hard coated (coated version) |
| Associated Camera Model | Argus C-Series cameras |
Design
The Argus Cintar 50mm f/3.5 is a three-element airspaced anastigmat, color-corrected and hard coated. A cutaway diagram confirms the three-element internal structure. Going from four elements down to three cut manufacturing costs while keeping image quality acceptable for consumer photography.
Context
The Argus Cintar 50mm f/3.5 was introduced in 1937 as the standard lens for the Argus C3 rangefinder camera, one of the most popular and widely produced American 35mm cameras of its time. It belonged to a family of Cintar lenses offered by Argus. Later models added coatings to improve contrast and reduce flare.
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Service Manuals, Schematics & Catalogs
- Catalog — archive.org