Argus C3 and the Full-Figure Model
When the Frame Crops, the Confidence Doesn’t
Boudoir with Argus C3 Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
About the Camera
The Argus C3, “The Brick” for its solid, boxy build, the Argus C3 is a true American icon in the world of photography. Manufactured in Ann Arbor, Michigan, between 1939 and 1966, it became one of the best-selling 35mm rangefinder cameras of all time, with over 2 million units sold. Its appeal came from affordability, durability, and a straightforward design that made it accessible to everyday users—while still attracting professionals.
One of the most notable users of the Argus C3 was Tony Vaccaro, a World War II soldier who famously smuggled his camera into combat zones, capturing raw, emotional moments of wartime history. After the war, he went on to photograph legends like Sophia Loren and Eartha Kitt, proving the camera's potential beyond its modest build. Vaccaro lived to be 100, and his work still influences photojournalists and artists around the world today.
The C3 typically came with a 50mm f/3.5 Cintar lens, but it also supported interchangeable optics, such as 35mm wide-angle and 100mm telephoto lenses—though the viewfinder remained fixed, which could lead to framing mismatches.
Boudoir with Argus C3 Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
Argus C3 Challenge
For this Forbidden Frames episode, Yuliya Panchenko was handed the Argus C3 with a 100mm telephoto lens—but without any warning. Since the viewfinder wasn’t built for that lens, what she saw while composing was much wider than what the lens actually captured. The result? Every image was unintentionally cropped, some quite heavily.
But here’s the beauty of it: Yuliya’s natural inclination toward full-body boudoir photography meant that even with extreme cropping, the subject stayed within frame—just barely. What could have been a failed session became a lesson in adaptability and confidence behind the lens.
Boudoir with Argus C3 Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
Full-Figure, Women Empowered
This session was also special because Yuliya worked with a full-figure model—something she’s deeply passionate about. She believes boudoir isn’t reserved for one body type. It’s a celebration of all women, in all shapes and sizes.
“Full-figure women deserve to feel just as sexy, just as seen, and just as powerful. Boudoir is for everyone—not just the women we see in magazines.” — Yuliya Panchenko
The session became more than just a test of a vintage camera—it was a statement. Even when technology misaligned, confidence, beauty, and vision remained in perfect focus.
Yuliya Panchenko Holding Argus C3 Vintage Camera and Her Model, Lis.
Despite the misaligned lens and an unpredictable vintage setup, Yuliya made it work. She adapted, stayed committed to her vision, and delivered powerful images. The Argus C3 didn’t break her session—it simply added another layer to her growing journey of rediscovering the past through the lens of boudoir.
Watch the full episode now on BIB TV.
