International photographer (Jan-Dec 1934)

Twenty-eight The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER October, 1934 IMPRESSIONS OF THE NEW AKERS 35mm. (Continued from Page 16) trees and dodging cactus, etc., which beset the path, and once ensconced on my tiny ledge from which I was shooting a power line was dropped over the cliff to me from the sound truck and I was ready to "turn 'em over." The final results were some excellent close-ups of the stampeding cattle in the water and rope stunt shots which added tremendously to the dramatic value of the picture. Every shot made with the little camera was used in the finished picture and, when screened simultaneously with the shots by the big cameras there was not the slightest distinguishable difference even though the camera had been held in the hand for every shot made. On another production I used the same camera on the small tripod that is especially made for it by the Akers Company, and found it almost as versatile on the tripod as off. Incidentally, this ingeniously designed tripod, while fully freehead with all the modern refinements, only weighs fifteen pounds and yet it is strong enough to be used with a full sized camera if need be and is noticeably steady and vibrationless. Because of its instant interchangeability from a hand camera to a tripod held camera, I should think that it will be found especially valuable to newsreel men, explorers, naturalists, etc., where the weight of the combined outfit is an important item. To get back to technical details, I stated that the camera carries three lenses on a rotary turret. These lenses are mounted in the popular Leica (noncollapsible) micrometer focusing mounts and the camera is standardly equipped with lenses manufactured by the Hugo Meyer Company. The camera I was using carried the Meyer Plasmats working at f .2.7 and I found the screen result to be exceptionally pleasing with just a hint of the pseudo-stero effect which is noticeable in these lenses. Fast glass may be obtained in these lenses working up to the speed of f.1.5 which, in combination with the 180 degree shutter obtainable in this camera, gives one all the speed of light required in almost any imaginable photographic circumstance. The regular focal lengths of 40 millimeter, 55 mm. and 75 mm. are used and telephoto lenses are easily provided for. Furthermore, if desired, the wide angle lenses of short focal length, i. e., 35 mm. and 25 mm., are adaptable when arrangements are made for factory installation. Being equipped with the Leica lens mounts, the filters and effects are carried in the standard Leica filter holder and sunshade, in fact almost all the Leica "gadgets" are applicable to this camera and may be attached as desired. An optical focusing device is provided in two styles, embodying two distinctly different principles and either is obtainable at the option of the user. One device focuses through the film and presents the image to the eye magnified about four times and corrected as to left to right and uprightness of image. The other device drops in front of the film and transmits the image in its full brilliance through a series of cleverly designed prisms and is viewed in the same magnifications and correctness as the image obtained through the other device. The finder is of the conventional direct type and attaches to the side of the camera in the same manner of all finders and is provided with parralax correction in the ordinary way. The film rollers and their roller guides are of conventional design. However, the method of loading is rather new and is decidedly foolproof inasmuch as only one set of rollers move out to allow loading. There The roller guides are moved by a small knurled knob which actuates a positive cam thereby locking the film on the rollers when once threaded ; this prevents any possibility of mechanical jamming. The rear gate is operated in much the same manner and is positively locked when threaded ready for use. There are no springs or spring pressure plates riding against the film to cause possibility of scratching. The possibility of emulsion adherence with its resultant "snowballing" action is prevented by the aperture gate which is of the finest quality tool steel milled, ground and polished, then heavily chromium plated and buffed to a mirror finish. An interesting phase of the design is the fact that all moving parts which require lubrication are kept out of the chamber in which the film is exposed, thereby precluding all possibility of oil ever getting on the film from an over-indulgence in lubrication on the part of the operator. While on the matter of lubrication the bearings are of a rather new type from a metallurgical standpoint. They are composed of material which contains a heavy amount of impregnated oil and graphite and the camera could (with the exception of the movement) be run in its regular course of production for about six months without lubrication attention. The movement, however, being of extreme precision, must receive the same careful attention that any precision movement requires to insure its perfect operation. Easy accessibility for oiling and care is made through designed soundproof apertures for this purpose. In fact the whole works can be taken from the case, inspected, checked completely and replaced ready for action within two hours' time. Registration pins can be removed without taking the mechanism from the case, checked, cleaned, and replaced within a few moments. This feature is especially desirable when the camera is being used for background purposes and where the pins and registration must be absolutely perfect to insure steadiness. The magazines are of a very simple design utilizing the principle of compensation in the film roll to conserve size and weight. In this respect they somewhat resemble the magazines used in the famous Akeley and like the Akeley they also are of two hundred foot capacity. They are firmly attached and detached by means of a conventional long screw and knurled knob arrangement, such as is employed on almost all exterior magazines. The magazines are made of aluminum but are covered on the outside with rubber of a very durable quality and on the inside they are lined with a thin layer of insulating cork and velvet although the Akers Company have a new interior magazine lining which will prove popular I am sure. It is a black cellulose composition that has the finished surface of glass, the advantage of which is its lack of side friction on the rotating film roll and also its extreme ease in cleaning as a damp cloth quickly removes any possible dust or dirt that may have accumulated in the magazine. The magazine light traps are of the roller type but when the magazine is attached to the camera there are little pressure buttons that lift all pressure of the rollers from the film and allow it to run through an unrestricted trap. This eliminates further the possibility of scratching from dirt in the traps. The full weight of a magazine without film is about two pounds. A tiny, though accurate, Veeder type film meter is entirely enclosed within the case and the numbers are easily read through a small window. A reset knob on the outside of the case provides for resetting the numbers whenever desired. For special purposes an exterior counter that measures every frame can be installed if the operator wishes. The small "wild" (not synchronous) motor with which the camera comes equipped can be powered from is no other way to thread the film except the right way. Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.