Skip to product information
1 of 10

LightAndTimeArt

Antique Decorative Camera Bookends, Argus C3, Home Theater Décor, Movie Room, DVD Holder, Vintage, Ecofriendly Gift

Antique Decorative Camera Bookends, Argus C3, Home Theater Décor, Movie Room, DVD Holder, Vintage, Ecofriendly Gift

Regular price $130.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $130.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Color

2 Original Black or Tan Argus C3 cameras – up-cycled into a pair of bookends.

The Argus C3 was a low-priced rangefinder camera mass-produced from 1939 to 1966 by Argus in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. The camera was the best-selling 35mm camera in the world for nearly three decades and helped popularize the 35mm format. Due to its shape, size, and weight, it is commonly referred to as "The Brick" by photographers (in Japan its nickname translates as "The Lunchbox"). 

The bookends are a great, Eco-friendly gift and add a little vintage feel to any room. Picture-perfect for the photography fan or the vintage lover.


DISCLAIMER: " The logos and trademarks on the upcycled, individual items are those of their respective brand name owners, none of which are associated with this product. "

We also have gift certificates available for your friends.

Dimensions

Height: 8.5 inches
Width: 5.5 inches
Depth: 6 inches

History

The most famous 20th century photographer who used it was Tony Vaccaro, who employed this model during World War II (see under Famous Patrons in this article). The C3 was constructed primarily of Bakelite plastic and metal castings. The design featured an unusual but simple diaphragm shutter built into the camera body, so the camera could make use of interchangeable lenses without the need for a complex focal plane shutter. The rangefinder was separate from the viewfinder and was coupled to the lens through a series of gears located on the outside of the camera body. The profusion of knobs, gears, buttons, levers, and dials on the camera lent it a "scientific" look that was found in customer surveys to be one of the things buyers most liked about the camera. The C3 was principally designed by Dr. Gustave Fassin. By virtue of its low price and reputation for rugged durability the Argus C3 managed to outlast most of its American competition and fend off precision German-built cameras and the cheap high quality Japanese cameras that began to enter the American market in the 1950s. <br>But eventually the design simply became too outdated and clumsy, and production ended in 1966 after sales had slumped. Interestingly, sales of the C3 had slumped many times during its production life, and each time Argus announced they were going to discontinue the camera, dealers and photographers would rush to buy what they believed to be the last of the cameras, leading Argus to reverse their decision to end production several times. <br> It has been argued the Argus C3 is responsible for popularizing the use of 35mm film and considering the long production run and the high number of Argus C3 cameras made, this may very well be true, especially in its native United States. Although the design is now over 70 years old, the C3 retains a strong following due to its simplicity, durability, and nostalgic value. Used C3s are cheap and plentiful, and their simple construction makes them relatively easy to repair.

Customer Reviews

Based on 6 reviews
100%
(6)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
C
Carol Lau
Beautiful Bookends

I received the camera bookends in black instead of tan, which I ordered. I e-mailed the company and Manny got back to me in an hour. He sent me a postage free return label immediately. He also mailed me the correct bookends
that day. I returned the black ones. The Bookends were even nicer than the pictures of them. Manny was so helpful. I would recommend this company to anyone who wants a truly unique gift. Customer service is excellent.

M
Molly O'Keefe
These bookends are beautiful and so unique...

These bookends are beautiful and so unique. Thank you for such quick delivery!

S
Susan Walter
This review has no content.

This review has no content.

J
Julie O'Kon
Love this!! So unique and perfect! Thank y...

Love this!! So unique and perfect! Thank you🙂

J
Julie McGlynn
Oh my goodness! These are absolutely beaut...

Oh my goodness! These are absolutely beautiful. I have received so many compliments on them. They make a stunning addition to our home as they flank several photo albums. Thank you!

View full details
  • Bookends

    A LightAndTimeArt set of bookends is the perfect accessory for any book or DVD collection, be it small or large. These simple yet effective accents not only keep your novels and DVDs from tipping over, but they also add character with a wide range of designs, styles, and colors. All my bookends are elegant, and unique, while they can keep a home book or DVD library looking uniform and neat. They all use a combination of vintage photo, or film equipment and accessories making them great way to complement a movie room or home theater.

  • Design

    These are all handmade creations by (c) LightAndTimeArt.
    Original, unique cameras and accessories with some signs of years of service.

    Made by Small Business in USA.