Argomania: A Look at Argus Cameras and the Company That Made Them [Paperback]

Henry J. Gambino (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2005

Argomania provides a comprehensive look at the history and products made by the Argus Camera Company, which was, at one time, the second largest manufacturer of photographic products in the United States, behind only Eastman Kodak, and was largely responsible for the rise and dominance of the 35mm format for "miniature" photography.

The book chronicles the sometimes turbulent history of the company since its inception in 1931 through the present. It also describes and shows virtually every camera or other product made by the company through the years and puts the company's efforts into context with the rest of the photographic industry.

Argomania is lavishly illustrated, containing 575 original photographs. It is an important resource for camera collectors everywhere.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Aeone Communications (August 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097705070X
• ISBN-13: 978-0977050703
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,146,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Outstanding Book About Argus Cameras And The Company Behind Them, February 16, 2006

By 

Hrad Kuzyk (US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Argomania: A Look at Argus Cameras and the Company That Made Them (Paperback)

Argomania now stands as THE premier source of information about Argus cameras and the circumstances, companies, and personalities behind them. The author is obviously afflicted with a chronic case of "Argomania", and this book, the result of countless hours of research and interviews, clearly demonstrates this. The book takes an in-depth look at the many Argus cameras that have been produced since the thirties and traces the company's history up until the date of publication.
The author carefully documents a surprisingly thorough list of camera models, including several unproduced prototypes and unseen models mentioned only in press releases. More historically significant cameras are explored in depth; these include the Argus A (first 35mm camera made in the US) and the Argus C/C2/C3 (which stayed in production almost unchanged for an amazing 28 years!).
One should not expect a dry dissertation on shutter and lens technology, however. The book is full of other nuggets of information that frame the company and the cameras within the context of the times and make the book very readable. The repercussions of the Depression and the 1950s/60s invasion of German and Japanese cameras are integrated into the story, producing a complete picture of not only Argus cameras, but American camera development in general.
Any person interested in Argus cameras, the company behind them, or American cameras would do well to buy this book.