Amateur Photographer & Cinematographer (1933)

October nth, 1933 Thi AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER Ip 6 CINEMATOGRAPHER a possible to secure the pick of the view¬ points without the slightest trouble or delay. Occasionally, however, special permits are called for, and application for these should be made as early as possible beforehand. The writer was recently kept waiting over a fortnight for permits to obtain intimate shots at an air display ; but when they came along they were very comprehensive, and included also the services of an air technician. Finishing . When the film is returned from the processing station, it should be run through the projector and a suitable cutting plan decided upon. No shot — however beautiful in itself — should be used unless it falls into this plan, and lengthy shots may also require cutting in order to sustain an agree¬ able film-speed. Nor should the fact be overlooked that all shots have in themselves an inherent speed or action tempo, which can easily be destroyed by unskilful cutting. The proper thing to do is to ascer¬ tain whether curtailment should begin at the head or tail of the shot ; and in shots of unusual length it may be far more effective to divide the com¬ plete sections into a number of smaller pieces — to be assembled as “ cross¬ cuts.” Mention of cross-cuts im¬ mediately suggests rhythm, but unless the task is well handled attempts to create rhythm are liable to worsen rather than improve the film. In any case, the cuts must be of uneven length — decreasing to produce climax and increasing for bathetic or anti¬ climax. Any film constructed with regard for these considerations will be found more convincing and workmanlike than a mere stringing together of the photographic images ; but nothing is accomplished if the film is embellished with many and useless titles. A manifold expression of the purpose of any sequence, i.e., indication by both action and titles, is bad cinemato¬ graphy in the sense that it slows down the film-speed ; and it may be accepted that only the main title is essential. When the film is finished, it is possible that organisers and others connected with the event concerned may appreciate an invitation to the premiere screening. This should al¬ ways be given — especially where many privileges were granted during the filming, for it may result in the ex¬ tension of similar favours to other cinematographers. Three-Speed Cine Camera for £9 9s. A NEAT little gj-mm. motor-driven cine camera with three speeds has been introduced to British cine-photo graphers by O. Schiff, of 63, Belsize Park, N. W .3, who has already supplied many leading dea'ers. As it has an f/3.5 anastigmat, and a really sensible view-finder, such a camera, sold for nine guineas, sets a new standard in values. It takes the ordinary 30-ft. Pathe chargers, either pan. or ortho, and so there will be no difficulty in getting film supplies anywhere in the Kingdom where cine cameras are known. This camera is known as the “ Alef.” The advantage of three speeds is becoming appreciated among cine amateurs, even those who do not seek to do trick work. For the normal speed of 16 frames per second an indicator on the front of the camera is turned to the centre of a dial with the figure 16 clearly marked. By turning the pointer left or right you get slow speeds down to eight per second, or faster speeds up to thirty-two per second. This has its uses for slow-moving objects on one hand, or motion-analysis on the other. It will please the serious student of movie work, and it is no disadvantage to the cine snapshotter, who need never worry about the slower and faster speeds unless he wants to use them. He need never depart from his sixteen per second unless he wants to. The dial shows him clearly, when he adjusts his diaphragm (just above it), how his camera is set, and there is no excuse for error. Loading is as simple as ABC. You press a button, swing the gate mechanism out of place, slip your cassette in, and then close the mechanism. The machine does the rest. The Erdington and District Photographic Society has vacan¬ cies for a few members, and anyone living in this district of Birmingham will be welcome. An interesting programme for the winter session has been compiled, and a copy of the syllabus will be sent to any reader on application to the Hon. Secretary, H. C. Chamberlin, 36, Grange Road, Erdington, Birmingham. * * * The Portsmouth Camera Club is anxious to start a Cinemato¬ graph Section this Winter, and have asked Mr. Clifford Worley of 9, Arundel Street, Portsmouth and 18, Emsworth Road, Havant, to give them a demonstration with 9.5-mm. at the Club Rooms, Middle Street, Portsmouth, on October 17th, at 7.30 p.m. Professional and amateur films will be shown and Loading should take no more than five seconds even with gloves on. The camera (excluding the lens mounting and carrying handle) occupies no more space than 4X45X2^ inches. An outstanding feature of the "Alef ” is its quietness in running. It has fixed focus, which is no serious disadvan¬ tage (rather an advantage for the average user, perhaps) in 9|-mm. size. The optical view-finder is about four inches long and is of tubular pattern. Altogether a remarkable little camera for nine guineas. A model fitted with Hugo Meyer f/2.8 Trioplan costs eleven guineas. The superior lens is the only difference. For £12 10s. the camera can be supplied equipped with a Meyer f/1.5 Kino-Plasmatlens. A single-speed model (16 frames per second), identical in most respects, but without the three speeds, and with not quite such elaborate finish, is available for ^5 17s. 6d. Both the cheap model and^the three-speed models, especially the nine-guinea instrument, should have a good reception from many amateur cinematographers. a home-made developing and printing machine will be de¬ monstrated. Anyone interested in cinematography is asked to communicate with Mr. Worley, and will be welcomed at the meeting. * * * A new society has recently been formed in the Harrow district, and is known as the Harrow Camera Club. An attractive syllabus for the coming session has been arranged, and meetings are held each Tuesday, at 8 p.m. The secretary will be glad to hear from readers who are interested in member¬ ship, and the club is open to beginners and advanced workers, amateurs or professionals. Further particulars are obtainable from Mr. R. H. Mason, Hon. Programme Secretary, 68, Butler Road, Harrow, Middlesex. 20 343