Argus C-44R (1958–1962)
A 35mm rangefinder camera produced by Argus during the final years of its Ann Arbor manufacturing era.
Overview
The Argus C-44R is a 35mm rangefinder camera made by Argus between 1958 and 1962. It was one of the company's later models before ending camera production in Ann Arbor and relocating to a Chicago suburb. Within the Argus lineup, the C-44 and C-44R held a secondary position, taking "a very distant third" compared to other models like the C33 and C-3. The camera shares design lineage with the Argus C4, though the C4 did not accept interchangeable lenses, while the C-44R uses a bayonet mount. A user noted taking photos with a 1958 C-44R, commenting that "she did okay," suggesting functional performance in field use.
Specifications
| Dimensions | Approx. 150mm (W) × 90mm (H) × 60mm (D) |
| Weight | ~850g (body only, no lens) |
| Lens Mount | Argus Bayonet Mount (C44 Mount) |
| Shutter | Focal-Plane Shutter with High Speeds |
Context
The C-44R was introduced at a time when automation in still photography was becoming more common in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Its production ended in 1962, when Argus ceased camera manufacturing in Ann Arbor. The model sits within a family that includes the Argus C33 and C-3, and questions about lens compatibility suggest users considered adapting C3-series lenses to the C-44 platform, though direct interchangeability is not confirmed.
Market
One example sold on eBay in 2008 for $31, while another account claims a sale for $1400 in 2011—though this figure is uncorroborated and potentially conflated with rarer variants or errors in attribution. Given the lack of consistent valuation data, current market value remains uncertain.
eBay Listings
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Service Manuals, Schematics & Catalogs
- Catalog — archive.org