Amateur Cine World (March 1937)

(Continued from previous page) gauge camera and, also, the accessories bought with the first outfit will not suit a different gauge of film unless dual-purpose or “ universal’’ models were acquired in the first instance. The choice of gauge is therefore a matter of great importance to the potential amateur cinematographer and he should study the matter carefully to insure that his first choice is his last. Now, I do not propose to start a controversy on ‘which is the best gauge of film’”’; neither am I going to air any personal preferences. Each size has its own advantages and its staunch advocates. It is permissible, however, to mention that, so far as upkeep or running costs are concerned, the 8mm. gauge is the least expensive and the 16mm. the most expensive, with 9.5mm. somewhere between the two. Choosing the Gauge Not every amateur, however, selects his gauge on the question of running costs alone: there are numerous other matters to affect his decision. So far as apparatus is concerned, it may be said that the 9.5mm. gauge offers a range of efficient apparatus at lower prices than either of the other two gauges, although the range extends to higher priced apparatus, within the price limits of 8mm. and 16mm. equipment. Moreover, some amateurs would regard it as a convenience that 9.5mm. film can be bought in shorter relative lengths than other gauges, which constitutes, to some extent, an “‘ easy payment” system of upkeep compared with the other gauges. The actual size of each picture on 9.5mm. film is (owing to the different methods of perforating the film) very little less than that of 16mm. film. These are some of the advantages associated with 9.5mm. film, and there are others. On the other hand, 8mm. has the advantage (already mentioned) of being cheaper in the long run, and although the individual pictures on the film are extremely small, they yield perfect screen pictures up to sizes regarded as normal by the majority of amateur cinematographers. With regard to 16mm., this (as already stated) is the most expensive ‘“‘run’’; but its advantages are considered, by 16mm. enthusiasts, as being well worth the cost. In many quarters 16mm. film is regarded as ‘‘ semi-professional ’’ and it is true to say that its scope and application is comparable with that of “ standard ”’ (35mm.) film, while it remains essentially an amateur’s medium. Gee It follows, from the foregoing remarks, that the choice (see ‘ double-eight ’’ camera Loading a article). STARTING of film gauge. is, ultimately, a matter for individual decision, depending on purse, purpose and preference ; and the fact that I myself make use of the three gauges might be taken as evidence that there is something to be said in favour of each of them. If I were writing for the serious student of cinematography who has ambitions of presenting a picture 8, Io or 20 feet wide in a hall accommodating a hundred, or several hundred spectators, then I probably should have some definite recommendations to make, both as to gauge of film and type of apparatus, because these would then be affected by considerations of projection. Inasmuch, however, as this series of articles is intended for the ‘‘ average’’ cine amateur, who seldom shows a picture wider than 4 feet (usually nearer 3 ft.), the ‘eliminating factors’’ do not arise because all three sizes of film will give perfect results within the limits of the normal home. Library Films There is, however, another factor that may affect the beginner’s choice of film gauge: I refer to “ library” films. If the amateur is concerned solely, or even largely, with the projection of printed film which may be bought outright or hired from a film library, then I would recommend him to decide on either 9.5mm. or 16mm. gauge. Library films are supplied in 8mm. gauge, but they do not stand comparison with (say) 16mm. films so well as do the 8mm. “‘ camera films” of the amateur’s own making. The latter are definitely comparable with 16mm. results; but the essential processes involved in producing an 8mm. copy of a standard film (and almost all library films, irrespective of gauge, are reduced copies of standard films) unavoidably incur a degree of “‘ grain’’ which is more conspicuous owing to the small relative size of the 8mm. picture. I shall deal more fully with the subject of library films when we come to the section treating of projection. For the present I will confine myself to the camera aspect. 8 mm. Films Films for 8mm. cameras are chiefly supplied in ‘double width”; that is to say, the film is actually 16mm. in width and it is exposed one half at a time. The reel, containing 25ft. of film, is placed in the camera, which confines the exposure to one half of the film’s width throughout its whole length. When the film has been exposed down one side it has, of course, been transferred to the take-up reel. The reels are then transposed and the film is run through the camera a second time, exposing the other half-width, after which it is returned to the suppliers to be ‘‘ processed,” the cost of which is included in the purchase price of the film. «It is at the processing depot where the film is slit along its length and the two strips joined end to end to form soft. of 8mm. film. Inasmuch as 8mm. film has 80 pictures to the foot, as compared with 40 pictures 576