Argus Tele-Sandmar 100mm f/4.5

Download Argus C3 Manual

When I learned that there were interchangeable lenses available for my Dad's Argus C3, I started watching eBay to see what I could find.  Suffice to say both the 35mm and 100mm lenses are abundant.  I waited until I found the most complete examples possible, in good condition.  I wanted to make sure to get the auxiliary finder for this lens because without it, I would not be able to compose/frame the photos. 

I found a fair example of the 100mm though I am now certain if I had waited longer I could have probably found one with both caps (not just one), the original box and manual, and the case and caps (which I did get).  This lens came with a viewfinder mask.  I was happy to see that the mask was still with the lens, because it's pretty small and fairly obscure to its purpose just looking at it alone.  Here is what the images from the listing looked like:

When the items arrived I found them in tarnished condition.  This is to be expected from 60-year-old aluminum!  I just spent a couple minutes with a handful of Q-tips and aluminum polish to remove the oxidation carefully from the lens, making sure not to allow any of the cleaner to seep into the lens parts (which would cause high friction and problems later with the lens operation).  The lens cleaned up well, though still not "mint".  It will be fine as a user and as a representative of what was:

Naturally, I wanted to install the lens and see how it works.

Shown with the 50mm lens removed...

Screwing on the 100mm...

Lens mounted but rangefinder not yet lined up on infinity...

Lens and rangefinder set to infinity...

Coupling gear in place with lens and rangefinder both set to infinity...

Lens and Rangefinder set to 10 feet to check for proper coupling...

Gear cover in place with lens and rangefinder set to 3 feet.

 

Here are some shots showing the finder mask and its installation on the camera...

Here are some shots from overhead showing the auxiliary finder that came with the 35mm lens, set for the 100mm...

 

More gratuitous shots...