Amateur Cine World (May 1936)

Gettin 4 Best Results wrth extent than is usual. It is therefore essential that the claw should be cleaned regularly and any accumulation of dirt that has lodged upon it removed. For your own convenience it is best that this cleaning should take place every time a new film is loaded into the camera, as by following a routine of this kind it is less likely to be overlooked. It is important in the case of all cine cameras that the interior should be kept spotlessly clean, since any dirt or dust is liable to be transferred to the film and subsequently lodges in the gate, producing a wretched and permanent fringe at the frame edge on your films. There is no way of avoiding this except by frequent cleaning. Make sure, when you clean the claw and gate and let the dirt drop into the camera, that you dust out the interior afterwards, as otherwise the dirt and dust is almost certain to find its way to the film. The gate should be cleaned as frequently as the claw. Frequent Cleaning Necessary The Cine-Kodaks have no natural tendency towards accumulating dirt in the gate as have some other cameras, but for all that, cleaning must be regular and frequent, for it only requires the tiniest hair on the gate edge at the aperture completely to ruin an 8 mm. frame, as I found out to my cost at a very early date, when I had to discard half a reel of film which was marred by the impression of a hair so tiny that it could hardly be seen. When this occurred, I decided to be twice as careful in the future, and believe me, it is really worth it and is very little trouble. The actual means of cleaning the gate, the claw and the lens is fully dealt with by the manufacturers in the camera 80 mm. Cameras (Continued from previous page) handbook and will therefore not be discussed here. A final point. Do. not attempt to oil any part of the camera. It is well lubricated when purchased and if at any time it appears to be running “ dry,” return it to the makers for re-lubrication. Exquisite Piece of Machinery Two recently introduced 8 mm. cameras are the Bell & Howell Filmo Straight 8 and Double-run 8. The latter of these was reviewed in our columns only last month and it is not necessary to add more than that each camera is an exquisite piece of machinery and will make fine movies. The latter of the two takes standard double width 8 mm. film, whilst for the formeg a special panchromatic film of single 8 mm. width ‘has been introduced by Agfa Ltd., but which will, unfortunately, only fit this camera. This Agfa film is sold inclusive of processing rights and is, from all appearances, the 8 mm. film with the finest grain of all. Results from experiments with this stock were very impressive. Its speed is about the same as Kodak 8 mm. film. Elegant Models The Filmos follow standard practice as regards most details but it has been found that owing to the light weight of the reels of 8 mm. film it is possible to dispense with a feed and take-up sprocket, whilst they are especially unusual in that even the gate does not require to be threaded up in the ordinary way. The film is simply laid in the gate, which automatically closes on shutting the hinged camera door, the film being located in its proper running position by the same action. These cameras may genuinely be termed elegant. Each has four film speeds and the lens (f/2.5 fitted as standard) is instantly detachable for changing or cleaning. In general, what has been said above regarding maintenance applies to the Filmos also, but it has been facilitated by very clean design, the special gate being a great advantage in this respect. _ The last camera on our present list is the Egofix 8. In general layout this camera is rather similar to the Filmo Double 8, though the actual mechanical details differ greatly. It is quite a sound job and the maintenance information given above applies in almost all respects. I have already dealt with Agfa Straight 8 film and it remains but to deal with the Kodak and Gevaert brands. The CineKodak 8 film is panchromatic and is, of course, the original film Angle at which this shot was taken brings out a pattern of curves. (Continued on page 107)