How would you make use of this camera?

[slashmaster]

I got myself an Argus 802 model B out of a dumpster where someones lifetime accumulation of possessions was dumped after they died.

http://www.super8data.com/database/came ... s_802b.htm

Problem is, if seems like it was meant only for 40 asa. This camera has no F-stop control and no sensor at all for the upper notch in the cartridge that tells what asa it is. It does have the filter sensor for the notch at the bottom of the cartridge and it has 2 sensors close by the cartridges take up drive that detect if a cartridge is in or not, an upper one for the footage counter and a bottom one that I'm not sure what it's for. What makes this camera desirable to use is the fact that it doesn't have a prism for the viewfinder that reduces the light to the film.. So what would you do with it?

Would you try slightly overpowering the light meter with todays px13 batteries and only use kodaks vision 3 50d?

Would you take the camera apart and and try to build a manual control for the F-stop?

Would you take the camera apart and try converting it to a C-mount? I have one good c-mount I could use..

[Andersens Tears]

I got myself an Argus 802 model B out of a dumpster where someones lifetime accumulation of possessions was dumped after they died.

It is such a shame when things like that happen.

Problem is, if seems like it was meant only for 40 asa. This camera has no F-stop control and no sensor at all for the upper notch in the cartridge that tells what asa it is. It does have the filter sensor for the notch at the bottom of the cartridge and it has 2 sensors close by the cartridges take up drive that detect if a cartridge is in or not, an upper one for the footage counter and a bottom one that I'm not sure what it's for. What makes this camera desirable to use is the fact that it doesn't have a prism for the viewfinder that reduces the light to the film.. So what would you do with it?

Would you try slightly overpowering the light meter with todays px13 batteries and only use kodaks vision 3 50d?
..

You won't need to adjust the light meter to shoot 50d - you will get only the tiniest amount of overexposure that it is not worth worrying about - just load and go!

[Will2]

Would you try slightly overpowering the light meter with todays px13 batteries and only use kodaks vision 3 50d?

No, light meter and autoexposure system should be fine with 50D as is.

Would you take the camera apart and and try to build a manual control for the F-stop?

No, not worth the effort for that camera body/lens.

Would you take the camera apart and try converting it to a C-mount? I have one good c-mount I could use..

No, I'd buy a Beaulieu 2008 or 4008 on eBay first. Better camera and all the features you're looking for built-in ready to go.

Go shoot a few rolls for fun! If you're looking for more features it would be worth it just to buy a camera with those features. Then start modifying the new camera if you like to tinker.