International photographer (Jan-Dec 1934)

The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER January, 1934 Miniature Camera Photography [In introducing Augustus Wolfman to our readers we feel certain that very few of them have not heard of him before. Mr. Wolfman started out in life as a pharmacist having received the degree of Ph.C from the Long Island University, Brooklyn College of Pharmacy. His interest soon turned to photography and, in 1928, he entered the New York Institute of Photography where he took courses in both motion picture and still photography. There he became acquainted with Mr. Karl A. Barleben, Jr., F.R.P.S., and has been associated with Mr. Barleben ever since. Mr. Wolfman soon began contributing articles on photography to various magazines, his writings having appeared in "Photo Era", "American Photography", "Camera", "Amateur Movie Craft", "American Cinematographer", "Nature Magazine", etc. In October 1932 he became technical editor of "Personal Movies". Being associated with Mr. Barleben it was natural that Mr. Wolfman became engaged in, and experimented with miniature photography when it was first introduced. His interest is still unwavering, and he is of the opinion that miniature photography has a considerable future being "tomorrow's photograhy practiced today." — Editor's Note.] HTS^Ijpljl XHIBITING his usual foresight, and tendency P^^sld t0 ^eeP UP vv'tn t^le trend of modern times, Mr. j/i-gHsjj.j Snyder, our editor has decided to include a min" ■■' ^ iature photography department in the INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER. Perhaps it may appear to many that Mr. Snyder has been lagging behind times for not running a miniature department at an earlier date, but the reader must remember that up to a comparatively recent time miniature photography, as an established branch of photography, has been boiling and rounding to form in the pot of experimenters. It has now emerged from the experimental laboratories of photographers, and claims a position not only side by side with other branches of the science of photography, but well nigh at the head of it. Miniature photography is here to stay. It has ceased being a novelty in the hands of amateurs, and has gained admission in many commercial and scientific fields where the highest of precision is required. The reason is quite evident. Miniature cameras today represent the highest precision instruments in the photographic field. They are little jewels of precision, accuracy, and results — results that relatively far surpass those produced by larger cameras. Consider a small instrument which can be easily slipped into a pocket, and which is capable of producing negatives which will yield flawless prints 11 by 14 inches and even larger. Perhaps the greatest credit for the remarkable progress of miniature photography can be attributed to the firm of E. Leitz Inc., and the Leica Camera which they sponsor. This camera is undoubtedly the most versatile photographic instrument in the world. It can accommodate over 300 accessories which will adapt it to every photographic endeavor. A description of this camera would be superfluous since its popularity is of such an extent that it is known to every miniature camera enthusiast. The Leica represents the cine type of miniature camera— it accommodates the usual 35mm. motion picture film. We also have such fine precision instruments as the Contax and Peggy, which use the 35mm. motion picture film. The instruments mentioned take a picture the size of a double frame of m.p. film — 1 by \]/2 inches. The Contax is gradually increasing its range of versatility. It now accommodates 10 lenses of various focal lengths and apertures, and reproduction devices are also available. There are also such cameras as the Memo, and Korel'e-K which accommodate cine film but produce single frame pictures 44 by 1 inch. The Korelle-K magazine holds sufficient film for 100 exposures. By Augustus Wolfman The miniature camera enthusiast also has at his disposal a host of fine roll-film cameras. Many, such as the Rolleiflex, National Graflex, Brilliant, Superb, Exakata, etc., are of the reflex type. The Rolleiflex is an outstanding member of this class. It reflects the pride its manufacturers take in the instrument which they produce. Carl Zeiss lenses, and the new type of Compur shutter are standard equipment. The Rolleiflex originally embodied the principle of having a large aperture finder lens. It also has a unique window, as is illustrated, in which the lens and shutter settings can easily be seen. Accessories are constantly being added to the Rolleiflex to increase its versatility. Besides the reflex types the miniature camera worker can avail himself of the usual type of roll-film camera in a miniature form. Amongst these we have such reliable instruments as the Makinette, Foth Derby, Baby Ikomat, Perkeo, Vistus, Prominent, Dolly, Pypille, Cameo Ultrix, Weeney Ultrix, etc. At first this type of camera made only the half vest pocket size negative. Now we have advanced miniature cameras which produce full vest pocket negatives, a square format, such as the Rolleiflex whose negative measures 2^4 by 2^4 °r 1-M? by 1^, etc. I have made this discussion of cameras rather brief because constant advertising has brought these instruments to the attention of the photographer. Allow me to digress for a moment and mention that this department is intended solely for the benefit of the readers of INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER, that is, they are free to write in requesting information on certain topics, or make suggestions for the type of material to be included. Most of the workers in the miniature The Rolleiflex showing the window through which lens and shutter setting can easily be seen. camera field are actively engaged in experimentation and research, to make miniature photography and even better means of photographic expression than it is. We are desirous of making this department a medium of exchange of ideas, theories, and findings of these workers. Acknowl Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.