This week I built my own light box by following the how-to guide provided by Strobist.com. I mainly constructed it so that I can have upcoming illustrative photos for this site be more uniform and professional.
Normally I wouldn't consider this project a large enough feat to justify its own blog post. So, to make this post about my DIY light box project somewhat worthwhile, I figure I'd post a sample photo taken in the box. Instead of taking the typical route of showing a sample image with some common camera from my camera collection, or a random item I have around my apartment as the subject, I figure I'd use it to show you something a bit more unique.
I called Jason over at jnovek.com, and asked if I could use my awesome new light box to photograph a very unique camera he owns which I like to refer to as The Denim Death. If I'm going to turn my light box post into a camera porn post, I want a new shining star on the scene to be featured.
He obliged, and now I get to post an image of what some might consider to be the greatest Argus C2 ever. Its denim coating with masking tape accents makes for a fine jewel in the world of collectible cameras. I'd tell you more about it, but I figure I'll let him find this post so he can give all of the detailed specifications for it in the comments. Until he comes around to clarify, I will leave you with this fun fact about it: if you were to get stranded with only this camera in your possession, you could use it to provide you with a food source if you start to get hungry.
See also: jnovek.com
Adu takes a picture
100 Prints, Vol I
Olympus XA2 – Infrared Blackout Edition
Infrared Flash Photography With An Olympus XA2
Horrors of the Ice Age
March 8th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Let me start out by saying that this is technically not an Argus C3.
It's a C2 body (the predecessor to the C3) with a 50mm Matchmatic lens (the successor to the C3). I usually call it an Argus C2 3/4.
There is a Alpex "telephoto" auxiliary lens attached, which Ithink converts it to roughly 70mm. You are seeing correctly, the finder is hold on by masking tape. There is no accessory shoe.
The "gem" of the collection, however, is the flash handle. This is converted from the remains of a Ninoka nk-700 (with Optical Glass Lens!), a toilet paper tube, some scotch tape, speaker wire, 2 screws, and about a cup of rice.
That right, rice. It provides weight, but its also nutrition and gluten free!
For my next trick, I will find a way to mount the Ninoka Optical Glass Lens on the C2 3/4. Wait and see.
Jason
March 8th, 2009 at 11:27 am
I am, ahem, adding another comment so I can subscribe to follow-ups. I missed the check box and clicked the "submit" button instead. USABILITY ISSUE AT ALL KIP?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??????!?!???!?!?
March 8th, 2009 at 11:30 am
I've updated my horribly inaccurate references to it being a C3. I'm so horrible.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
That's a darn impressive Argus C2. It never occurred to me to use heavy fabric instead of leather. Is that part of a metal hinge there on the front?
April 20th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
I do believe it is a metal hinge. Not my camera though so I can't give you a definite answer.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Well, I've never inspected it closely -- it was an estate sale free been find of unknown provenance -- but it seems that those are indeed top quality brass cabinet hinges. Although they are purely decorative.
The rice, however, is not decorative. It's 100% nutritive.
Jason
October 5th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
I wonder if the image quality would improve if you replaced the rice with barley?
October 5th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
If it were barley, I could, in the worst case, mash and ferment it into a fine beer.
Right now all I can make is Budweiser.
Jason