International photographer (Jan-Dec 1934)

Sixteen The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER October, 1934 Impressions of the New Akers 35mm Hand Camera By Walter Bluemel NQUIRING into new mechanisms of any kind has always had an almost irresistable allure for Y me and all the more so if they happen to be of a photographic nature. So the opportunity to dig into a new camera afforded me all the mental pleasures of a mechanically inclined "little Jack Horner" and I only hope that I can, within the capabilities of my limitations, pass them on the reader in the form of printed words. In the first place the New Akers Camera is not very impressionistic from all exterior appearances. It is only a small cubical black case measuring A1/) inches by 5 inches by 7 inches tall. The magazines, which are of the exterior type, are attached to the back of the camera. Three lenses on a rotary turret are mounted on the The versatility of the Akers camera is a joy to the cinematographer who has to move rapidly in difficult places or take desperate hazards in the air. front and a tiny electric motor on the side and that completes the picture. It is only when you open the door to further explore its "innards" that anything noteworthy is noticeable. Then it is immediately apparent that this is a professional camera. Its gleaming, exquisitely finished machine work denotes that it is made with the same fine precision that one sees in the larger studio cameras. However, here the semblance changes because there are several vital variances between this camera and any of the large cameras that I have handled. Quickly noticeable is its light weight (approximately 16 pounds) with everything on it, magazines, motor and all. Closer inspection reveals that the "works" or the mechanism is built entirely in a self-contained unit which is not in any way connected with the case. Four separate and entirely insulated screws hold the mechanism firmly in its bedding of sound deadening, insulating material. No shaft, bearing or moving part is attached to the case, thus preventing any possibility of "telegraphed" sound from the interior of the camera to the case outside. In fact the only thing that protrudes to the outside from the mechanism is the main driving shaft and even the bearing containing this is not fastened to the case but extends into its little silencing gear box from its suspension from the internal mechanism. While there is no exceptional claim as to the silent running of the camera, nevertheless it is surprising how silent it does run. It can be shot without any covering at all on the majority of exterior scenes where extraneous sound is present. If real quiet operation is desired while close to the "mike" a covering device is resorted to that might be described as a sort of "barney" but in truth it is a little quilted slip-over covering closely resembling what I remember my grandmother called a "tea caddy" which she used to slip over the tea pot to keep it warm. This arrangement still allows it to be used as a hand camera and yet gives the user flexibility of operation heretofore unobtainable. I might mention here that while it is being used in connection with the synchronous sound motors that the wild motor (which is instantly disconnectable) is replaced with a silenced flexible cable which in turn is connected to the synchronous sound motor. The sound motor is contained in a padded aluminum tube and when being used as a hand camera is slung on the photographer's back, the flexible cable thus allows the cameraman the full freedom of a hand held camera while still connected in synchronization with the sound motor. This is quite a novel arrangement but entirely practical inasmuch as the undesirable and restrictive weight of the sound motor is slung on the back where it is not noticed at all and the flexible cable allows full freedom of operation. Under the same conditions when being used on a tripod the sound motor is slung underneath the tripod and the cable again allows almost unlimited freedom in freehanding. So, much for its operation. Delving further into its mechanism, we find that it has something that no other hand camera has, namely, registration pins. These pins engage the exposing frame or picture at the next sprocket hole below the picture and operate through the front of the aperture plate. Inasmuch as these pins are made to the highest standard of precision, this camera should prove very popular with the globe-trotting cameramen as a background camera if for no other reason than its extremely light weight, and as to the "screen ride" of its pictures it is as rock steady as any other large camera made. In fact I was shooting the Akers Camera on a production where the location called for a herd of cattle stampeding through a stream of water in a narrow ravine and with it was able to get into positions that would have been extremely difficult if not impossible for the two large production cameras which were used on the picture. On this same picture I used the camera to get a shot of a stunt man descending a rope suspended over a high cliff, from a position that would have been impossible to reach with the big cameras requiring a standard tripod. As it was, much valuable time was spent in lowering cameras and equipment to the most advantageous point possible while I easily and quickly carried the little Akers camera down the narrow steep trail and still had one hand free to aid me in climbing over fallen (Turn to Page 28) Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.