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shallow depth of field, make for interesting effects. Cityscapes can be made with the first
exposure during the day and the second at night. While some of these effects require
computation to determine the proper exposure times and apertures, they offer some truly
unique approaches to picture taking.
Other creative applications of the double exposure exist and are worth exploring.
Intentional Lens Aberrations
As mentioned in Chapter 7, the Middle Lens of the pre-war Shutters can be
removed for cleaning.
If this lens is turned around before it is replaced, it will distort the image on the
negative. This distortion, which smears the image away from the center of the image, is
similar to a coma aberration and can be manipulated by changing factors such as focus
and aperture size. The overall effect of the distortion is that of motion in the axis of the
lens. In simple terms, the outside edges of your photographs will be blurred.
Technically, there is supposed to be a slight bevel on the Middle Lens to indicate
direction. When properly installed, the beveled lens edge is on the side facing the Inside
Lens. In practice, however, this bevel is often too small to be seen or not present at all.
The only sure way to know if your lens is installed properly is to take some test pictures.
Modifications
The Most Common Modification
The most common Argus modification is the “fake” A2F. This involves taking
the Neck and Shutter of an AF and putting them on the Body of an A2B. Four simple
screws and you’re done. Incidentally, this does not make the camera any more or less
valuable.
This bastard camera combines the variable focusing of the AF with the Extinction
Meter of the A2B. It is a worthwhile modification as long as you intend to switch them
back.
Modifying Old Filters
Often, when trying to acquire a complete set of Argus filters, one comes across
extra filters. Whether they are extras of ones already found or simply damaged beyond
use, they can still be utilized.
The simplest use of an old filter is converting it to a lens cap. Simply paint the
lens or filter portion with flat black paint. Ensure that it is light tight so that your cap will
protect against accidental exposure.
Another use is as an adapter for a filter holder, such as the Series V Adapter. As
mentioned earlier, the Series V Adapter fits only on the post-war A2B and the FA, but an
old Argus filter can be used to adapt it to a pre-war model. Simply force out the filtering
element by pushing it from the objective side, not the side that will slip onto the Lens
Assembly. The filtering element and its retaining ring should pop out; keep these
somewhere safe so that you can restore them if necessary. Then wrap the outer rim of the
objective side of the filter with tape until the Series V Adapter fits on it snugly. Now you
will be able to use that Series V Adapter, and all of the various Series V filters, with a
pre-war Argus.