Couple of new additions to the fold

[Just Plain Curt]

Picked up this Argus C Forty Four lately, the 100 f3.5 I've had for over twenty years as it came with my other C Forty Four. The Voigtlander Vito II is possibly the nicest and smoothest of my 35 mm folders, Retinas included.

[Randy]

Curt, you posted this thread under the Medium Format Catagory, and I'm pretty sure these are both 35mm cameras so I moved it. I like that Argus!

[galenk]

the argus is a nice looking camera, I'm still looking to add an interchangable lens rangefinder to my collection.

Also those little folders are great the Vito looks like it could be a cousin to my retina 2a

[Just Plain Curt]

Hi Randy,
Ooops, thanks for catching that for me.
Hi Galen,
The Vito II sure does resemble the Retina 2a. Something about those 35mm folders just grabs me. I have 12 (or more) of them so far and each has that same appeal.

[galenk]

I know what you mean, When I want a small grab and go camera I still grab the Retina. It stayed in my glove box for along time,

[casualcollector]

The C-44 looks like a real camera, unlike it's more famous sibling. How long was it in production?

[herron]

As I recall, it came out in the mid-50s...not sure how long it was made.

[nikkortorokkor]

Congratulations Curt. Two cameras I'd quite happily own!

Galen, I'll put my vote in for the Braun Super Paxette if you're after a modestly priced 'kit' rangefinder. Lenses available in 35 to 200 mm ( though the latter is quite rare, I think). People talk about reliability issues and lenses that haven't aged too well, but I've found nothing but good 'uns.

Still, if I was in the states I'd be taking Curt's lead, those C fourty-four lenses are too cool.

[Just Plain Curt]

Hi Galen,
As a Kit, American cameras are easier to find than Brauns, FSU cameras, Lordomats, etc. You can put together a set for Argus C Forty Four:


or Argus C3 fairly cheaply and easily:


By the way, the Argus C Forty Four was made from 1956-57 then you could put together a set of the Argus C44R from 1958-62 that used the Cintagon 35 f4.5, Enna Lithagon 35 f4.5, 100 f3.5 Cintagon, 100 f4.5 Enna Tele Lithagon, or 135 f3.5 Cintar.

[galenk]

Curt,
Don't laugh but I have two C3s and I didn't know till now that you could change the lenses on them. That is so cool !!! now I'll have to keep an eye out for lenses.