Amateur Cine World (May 1936)

Pathe charger modifted to avoid scratching by addition of small metal pin to keep roll of film in central position in topchamber. Small piece of tube shown outside charger revolves freely on pin and avoids possibility of film winding itself about pin. S a keen user of 9.5 mm. film, I have been very AN inerssea in the subject of scratching on this gauge of film. As I believe that 9.5 mm. film can, and should, give results equal in every way to those on 16 mm. film, I have investigated this matter of scratching rather closely with a view to eradicating it altogether. The results of my experiments may be of interest and assistance to others who may have been bothered with this form of trouble, as I think I can definitely state that I have succeeded in getting perfect films, free from scratch, in both camera and projector. It has been suggested that only those Overcoming Kiln Scratch on Q.5mm. Very considerable interest The high speed rewind gear of Modified gate for Pathescope 200B projector, incorporating a channelled pressure plate and gate to avoid scratching. who can afford the most expensive cameras and projectors have any hope of realising this goal, but I hope to show that this is not necessarily the case, for my experiences cover the use of what is probably the most generally used projector, the Pathe Home Movie machine and also a very popular and reasonably priced camera, the £6 6s. od. Moto-camera B of Pathescope. In addition I have also experimented with the Pathescope 200 B projector and the new model Dekko camera. Concerning Projection I will deal with projection first, as being likely to cause more trouble through scratching, as the film is repeatedly passed through the projector in actual practice, whereas it normally only passes through the camera once. Using the Pathe Home Movie machine, if the maker’s instructions as to threading are followed and the gate and pressure plate are kept clean, there is no danger of film scratch in this machine, as the film is held and guided only by the extreme edges, the picture area not coming into contact with the machine anywhere if threaded correctly. In rewinding, however, there is a possibility of damage, using the 30 or 60 foot spools. As is generally known, these are rewound in the machine, the film being drawn through the gate which is opened to allow free movement. 74 has been aroused recently on the subject of scratch on 9.5mm. film. Much of the criticism has been of a carping nature which has served no useful purpose. The following suggestions are of a definitely con this efficient little machine draws the film through very rapidly and unless care is taken, there is a great danger of the film touching some part of the gate or projector, causing scratching. It is best to rewind comparatively slowly, guiding the film into the reel with the fingers, to prevent the film from “‘whipping’ and so touching the machine at some point or another. structive nature. They show that scratch ong.5mm. stock is not unavoidable. By DONOVAN Boo. Pee In the case of super reels, these are rewound, either on the machine direct from reel to reel over guide rollers, or on a separate rewind. Here, there is no likelihood of trouble if the film is correctly threaded over the guide rollers and “‘whipping”’ of the film is prevented. When rewinding film, by any method, it should never be wound too tightly or cinch markings will result, a warning that applies to all films of any gauge. The greatest source of scratches, either in camera or projector, is dirt, and cleanliness of apparatus will go a long way to securing results without flaws or blemishes. The 200 B projector made by Pathescope Ltd., which I now use, is one of the first models, and this certainly did give me a little trouble at first. In this first model, the gate was flat on the back surface, which meant that the film came in contact with it. With reversal or library films in which the emulsion side is towards the screen, this did not matter very much, as the base of the film was in contact with the hinged pressure plate, but using printed positives, it was a different matter, and I found bad scratching. I, therefore, got Messrs. Pathescope (Continued 0 next page