Argus DF-300

The Argus DF-300 is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera introduced by the American company Argus in 1984. Positioned as an entry-level model, it targeted consumers seeking an affordable manual-focus SLR. Characterized by its straightforward design and plastic construction, the DF-300 offered essential features such as a through-the-lens (TTL) light meter, shutter speeds typically ranging from 1 to 1/1000 second, and a basic 1/60th second synch speed for flash. It utilized readily available M42 screw-mount lenses, providing flexibility for users who might already own such glass or purchase budget-focused alternatives. Argus, known for earlier consumer classics like the C3 but largely absent from the dominant Japanese SLR market by the 1980s, produced the DF-300 primarily as a value-oriented option in a highly competitive era dominated by established brands like Canon, Minolta, and Nikon.