Argus Cintar 50mm f/3.5
At f/3.5, it wasn't fast by modern standards, but a patient photographer got a look out of it that was all its own.
Overview
The Argus Cintar 50mm f/3.5 was the standard lens on the Argus C3, one of America's best-known 35mm rangefinders, introduced in 1937. It was sold under names like "Coated Cintar," and sometimes noted for its "hard coated" optics. It was a color-corrected anastigmat, built for an era when simple and reliable counted for more than speed or edge-to-edge sharpness. It was the default optic for the C3 and also showed up on other C-Series models and beyond, including the Argus C33, A-Four, and Colormatic. The f/3.5 aperture was a compromise between light gathering, depth of field, and the mechanical limits of the C3's coupled rangefinder.
The lens is a three-element airspaced anastigmat, commonly called a Cooke triplet. It favors clarity in the center of the frame over even performance across the whole image circle. Owners report that stopped down slightly, it gives crisp central detail with noticeable vignetting and edge blur. Some modern shooters actively seek that for its vintage look. The coating is basic by today's standards, but it was a real step up from uncoated glass. It helps reduce flare and improves contrast in backlit scenes.
Despite modest specs, the Cintar f/3.5 earned a loyal following. Some collectors praise its rendering on digital bodies, noting that adapted to cameras like the Canon 5D Mk II, it still produces compelling images. One Reddit user called it their "favorite 50mm lens." It has quirks, though. The formula doesn't correct for modern expectations of flat fields or uniform sharpness, and the focus throw is short by contemporary standards.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Argus |
| Focal Length | 50mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/3.5 |
| Lens Design | three-element airspaced anastigmat design |
| Lens Type | triplet anastigmat |
| Coating | Coated |
| Filter size | 19mm screw-in or 41mm slip-on accessories |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 3 feet |
Key Features
Three-Element Airspaced Anastigmat Design
The Cintar f/3.5 is a triplet anastigmat: three elements in three groups, with air spacing between them. It's also described as a "Cooke triplet." This layout was a proven standard in mid-tier lenses of the era, balancing cost, manufacturability, and image quality. It corrected chromatic aberration and spherical distortion better than simpler designs, though not as well as later multi-element lenses. The air spacing allowed better correction than cemented triplets, which adds to the lens's reputation for central sharpness.
Hard Coated Optics
Unlike earlier uncoated versions, the coated Cintar f/3.5 had a "hard coated" optical surface, a step forward in anti-reflective treatment for its time. The coating reduced internal reflections, particularly when shooting into bright light, and improved contrast compared to uncoated glass. It isn't multi-coated or broadband like modern lenses. It's a single layer, but it was a real upgrade and helped the lens in varied lighting.
Center-Sharp Rendering with Vignetting
According to collector testing and user reports, the Cintar f/3.5 delivers sharp detail in the center of the frame, especially stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8. Performance falls off noticeably toward the edges, with strong vignetting and softness common even at smaller apertures. In technical terms that's a flaw. In film and digital adaptation it has become a sought-after look, and photographers value it over clinical precision.
Historical Context
The Argus Cintar 50mm f/3.5 was designed specifically for the Argus C3, a 35mm rangefinder introduced in 1937 that became one of the best-selling American cameras of its time. It served as the default lens for the C3 and was also used on later models like the C33 and A-Four. A faster f/2.8 version existed, but it was less common, so the f/3.5 was the most widely distributed variant. It was a practical piece of engineering - optically competent, mechanically sturdy, and cheap to produce - in line with Argus's goal of bringing capable photography to the middle-class market.
Collectibility & Value
Current market listings show the Argus Cintar 50mm f/3.5 trading between $60 and $150, depending on condition and whether it's sold as part of a complete camera. Listings on Facebook and Etsy reflect this range, with one example offered at "$60 OBO" and others priced at $65.50 and $150.00. Most units are sold "AS-IS" or with notes about wear and tear from prior use, and testing is often not possible due to lack of film or compatible bodies. No widespread failure modes are documented for the lens itself, but associated cameras like the C3 often need shutter repairs, which can affect the value of complete sets.
eBay Listings
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