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 lens is a standard lens designed for use with Argus C-Series cameras, particularly the Argus C3 introduced in 1937. It was produced in multiple versions, including a coated f/3.5 model and a less common f/2.8 variant. The f/3.5 version features a three-element airspaced anastigmat design, color-corrected and hard coated, representing a cost-effective alternative to more complex four-element lenses. This lens was a standard fitment on one of the most iconic 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 lens, color-corrected and hard coated, designed as a cost-effective standard optic. A cutaway diagram confirms the three-element internal structure. It represents a simplification from four-element designs to reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining acceptable image quality for consumer photography.
Context
The Argus Cintar 50mm f/3.5 lens 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 was part of a family of Cintar lenses offered by Argus, with later models featuring coatings to improve contrast and reduce flare.
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