Amateur Photographer & Cinematographer (1933)

August 9th, 1933 Ih( AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER tj 6 CINEMATOGRAPHER o IPW&4H 2^aa*e*ial$ Viewed Reviewed bR JE$. The “Jiffy” Kodaks. When Kodak first produced the Brownie they gave us the simplest of cameras. That aim of simplicity has always been in the forefront when Kodak have designed instruments for the button-presser — -who to-day is an important factor in the photographic industry. In their new “ Jiffy ” Kodaks simplicity and instant readiness for action have been combined in a folding Kodak, and they have produced a nice-looking instrument with an appearance far more attractive than most cheap cameras. When the camera is folded you see a black metal lens panel, larger than usual in area, with a silver design in straight lines on the panel. That attracts — though of course a pretty camera does not produce better pictures than a drab-looking model. Press a button and the lens panel springs out to the ready position. The Twindar doublet lens is a focussing lens with a scale indicating two points only (a) 5 ft. to xo ft., and (b) “ beyond ten feet.” That is sufficient for most button-pressers. The one-speed shutter is almost a silent one, which goes off without a jar. Its speed is round about i/25th sec., and, of course, there is a time movement also. The lens seems to work at about f/11 or f/12. One practical feature about this camera which I liked was its pair of brilliant finders sunk into the lens panel. Most so-called " brilliant ” finders are of rather dim bril¬ liance. These are really bright. This sturdy camera is made in two models, with prices as follows : 2^x3^, £2 10s. ; 2^x4^, £2 15s. In these days of fast films a simple camera of this kind can do good work in the hands of others than the butterfly type of button-presser, and I think that this little instru¬ ment should soon become popular. New Thalhammer Tripod. The new Thalhammer Junior Tripod for 16-mm. cin6 cameras (and for g| and 8 mm. cine cameras, too, if their owners really want a rock-steady camera-stand) is going to catch the friendly eye of a good many cine-photographers. I should like to think also that it will attract the favour¬ able notice of ” still ” photographers, for even in these days of small cameras for amateurs, there are still a good many keen architectural photographers and portrait workers. to say nothing of commercial photographers, who need a sturdy tripod, with non-skid qualities, which will hold a half-plate Sanderson or Una steady enough, and enable them to tackle difficult work successfully. In our “ still ” work we all owe a lot to modem cin£-photography both in regard to fast lenses and good tripods. This new Thalhammer is of wood, that strong wood which American makers use for their best tripods. The top section is of U-form, and the lower section slides into it. It is about 5 ft. high when fully extended, and about 2 ft. 6 in. at its lowest level. The sliding section is locked fast at any level between these extremes by a screw operated by a fiat disc which is two inches in diameter. This sensible fastening device makes it easy to get an immovable grip on the sliding leg. There is nothing weak-kneed about the Thalhammer. It has the Thalhammer tilting and panning head, both exceedingly efficient, and the “ instant-on-top ” device so that your camera can be mounted on it in half a jiffy, instead of being laboriously screwed on to the tripod top. Hidden away in one of the hollow legs till wanted is the " spider,” ready at hand when you seek to lock your three legs together, so that the tripod cannot do “ the splits ” (as acrobats call this trick) whep your best shot is in front of your lens. The metal parts are chromium finished. Altogether an efficient and convincing article for which eight guineas is not an extravagant price. The distributors in Britain are Messrs. Dallmeyer, Ltd., 31, Mortimer Street, London, W.i. A New Distance Meter. A new type of distance meter has just been introduced by the Service Co., Ltd. It is actually a miniature tele¬ scope, 3 J in. in length, and Jr in. in diameter which, in its leather case, can fit easily into a waistcoat pocket. The sliding tube is engraved in feet, and to use the instrument the object upon which it is desired to focus is examined through the meter and the tube withdrawn until it is sharply defined. The distance is shown on the engraved scale. The model actually tested showed an over-reading of three feet, but as this error was constant the effective¬ ness of the meter was in no way impaired, it only being necessary to make allowance for the over-reading. As the rim of the sliding tube covers the figure, it would facilitate the reading and in no way increase the cost if diagonal lines were run from the horizontal marks to the actual reading figures, which could be engraved on the half inch of blank tubing before the infinity mark. This new meter is cer¬ tainly a step in the right direction, and should prove very useful to those in search of an inexpensive instrument, its cost complete with case being only 15s. Full particulars will be sent to any reader mentioning The A mateur Photo¬ grapher who applies to the Service Co., Ltd., 289, High Holbom, London, W.C.i. 26 X40