Amateur Photographer & Cinematographer (1933)

November 8th, 1933 Thi amateur photographer p 6 CINEMATOGRAPHER o mateur NEWS, NOTES AND MATTERS OF IN¬ TEREST FOR ALL CINEMATOGRAPHERS USING AMATEUR CINE APPARATUS. Cinematography Hints on Film Rewinding By “ ACTINOGRAPHIST.” A DEQUATE care and attention do not always seem to accompany the operation of film rewinding, despite the fact that this is one of the most important tasks that must of necessity precede the next term of showing. Perhaps the commendable practice of changing displayed films from the take-up to the container spool as quickly as possible is much to blame for this state of affairs, but there is no sound reason why speedy changing cannot be indulged in without buckling or otherwise injuring the celluloid stock. Speed in rewinding is, of course, essential ; essential, that is, if we would avoid exposing good films to the drying heat and rarefied atmosphere which usually surrounds the projector after any lengthy display. The geared rewind admirably facilitates rapidity in rewinding, but care must be taken here to keep the handle of the rewind turning at a constant speed — since any slowing down of the upper reel will result in film running off the lower or take-up reel and probably entangling itself about the projector spindles. This can be avoided, how¬ ever, by taking the simple precaution to keep one hand in contact with the lower revolving reel, so that it acts as a brake, while the other hand manipu¬ lates the rewind handle. The rate at which the film is rewound can then be regulated to a nicety. Gritty Particles-. Particles of gritty and other dele¬ terious matter should be prevented from forming lasting contact with the film, since once on the delicate surface they may result in scratches affecting several consecutive frames in any sequence. This danger may be elimi¬ nated — and, incidentally, entanglement with the projector spindles avoided — by allowing the film to pass through a folded pad of chamois leather during the transit from one reel to the other. Where it is desired to improve the resiliency of the film, it will be found a good plan to dampen slightly the pad with plain water, whilst cleaning can be effected by moistening a dry pad with rectified or redistilled spirits. Ordinary methylated, mineralised and pyridinised spirits are all very cheaply obtainab'e, but none of them is suitable for the task in hand. Chemists’ industrial spirits — which also are in¬ expensive — may be used in all cases where rewinding is performed at a rate sufficiently slow for any slight deposits that may remain on the film to evaporate. Other Hints. One fault which has on several occasions been known to occur during actual displays is a tendency for film on the supply reel to loosen itself and sag down across the optical axis. The result is a heavy shadow which grad¬ ually removes itself from the screen — only to reappear after an interval of a second or so. In all cases, the trouble was traced to the handle of the re winder key — which, as the key was rotated to the apex position, tumbled forwards and gave an un¬ winding impetus to the supply reel. To prevent the occurrence of this trouble it is necessary only to remove the key from its holder wherever possible immediately before com¬ mencing a display. Keys thus removed are best at¬ tached to the projector itself with a neat bead chain. Finally, care must be taken during rewinding to see that the correct side of the film is to the outside of the spool. In the case of reversal film, it is the glossy side which should face the lens ; and, in negative¬ positive practice it is the other side. November in Hyde Park. The return of the gulls with the colder weather will provide many fine action subjects for the cine amateur. 434 19