The Argus Seventy-Five is a simple, pseudo-TLR camera that was introduced in 1949, existing under a number of name variations. The camera produces twelve 6x6cm images on 620 film. It is referred to as a "pseudo" TLR because the camera does not have reflex focusing... it actually has no focusing at all. Instead, the Argus Seventy-Five has a brilliant finder for simple composition. The camera has primitive shutter speed controls, limited only to "Instant" and "Time," the aperture is also fixed. While 620 film is no longer being produced by major film manufacturers, there are still several sources from people who either modify existing 120 spools, or who respool 120 film and paper onto original 620 spools. Here at Blue Moon Camera we take the former approach and consistently have a supply of 620 film in Kodak Portra 400, Portra 160, Ilford Delta 400 and Ilford Delta 100.
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Argus Seventy-Five
The Argus Seventy-five is a sweet and simple camera - you’ll notice two whole shutter speed settings, ‘instant’ and ‘time.' This camera was produced for 15 years, beginning in 1949, under a few different names with very few alterations. You might see cameras like this as decoration in a vintage store or tucked in a box in your grandparents’ attic. We advise you not to let them collect dust for too long, these cameras are a kind of hidden treasure. Made mostly of Bakelite, this little guy is virtually indestructible. It also has an impressively bright focusing screen and takes 620 film to make delightful 6x6 negatives. ⠀
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Aside from this, we are undeniably drawn to the “vintage” aspect in the design, although not as decoration. Pull this camera out of your grandparents’ attic, load it with a roll of 620 film, and you’re creating an image with your eye on the very same focusing screen that your grandparent was once peering into decades ago - how cool is that?