Argus Contemplates Major Expansion

Argus Contemplates Major Expansion

An Argus Cameras official, in announcing the start of production in coming months on two new types of 8mm movie cameras and a movie projector, said today his firm "is contemplating major expansion of productive facilities in Ann Arbor and elsewhere.”

The statement was made by Clinton H. Harris, Argus president. He anticipates the demand for the new movie products “will cause the recall of a number of employes who are presently on layoff.” Argus has laid off about 100 employes since the first of the year.

About Argus' projected expansion, Harris said:

Under study are additional facilities for manufacture of product components, accessories and packaging as well as those for basic photographic equipment.”

Meanwhile, an Argus spokesman at a New York City press showing yesterday of the three new products suggested that details on any local expansion move might be more specific in about a year. What structures, if any, would be involved are not known since Argus has just begun what Harris called “an extensive review of its productive facilities.”

The expansion prospect is “tied” to Argus’ initial move into the movie camera field and manufacture of movie projectors for amateurs. The firm also manufactures an extensive, diversified line of photographic “still” equipment.

Yesterday’s press showing of the new movie cameras and projector was five days in advance of the start of the Master Photo Dealers and Finishers Association’s trade show in Philadelphia, Pa., where the new products are to be introduced to the public.

Both of the 8mm movie cameras, called the “electric eye” Cinetronic M3 and Match-Matic M3, have turrets on which are mounted a 10mm, 25mm telephoto and 6.5mm wide-angle lenses.

The new movie projector, which weighs less than 13 pounds, has a lens, with a maximum aperture of f/1.5, that zooms from 15 to 25mm to quickly fill the screen from any distance.

A film splicer is included with the projector which is 10 3/4 by 6 1/2 and 8 inches. It will be available at photographic stores in May and will sell for $124.95.

Chapman said the projector and two movie cameras “represent only the beginning of a whole line of amateur movie products.”

The Cinetronic M3 movie camera, which will be marketed in August at a cost of $149.95, has an electric-eye exposure control which automatically changes the lens opening to compensate for light conditions.

The 8mm Match-Matic, which will be available in June at a cost of $99.95, has all major features of the Cinetronic, with the exception of the electric eye.

Match-Matic M3

M750 Projector