Amateur Photographer & Cinematographer (1933)

Thi amateur photographer a 6 CINEMATOGRAPHER a November 8th, 1933 Cine Amateurs’ Autumn Activities AUTUMN is the time of activity in the amateur cine club world. Films taken during our glorious summer are forming part of the pro¬ grammes of numerous social evenings. They are, however, only the echo of holidays — summer’s aftermath. In the studio itself work is in progress, and work in this connection means not only acting and direction, but the making of props, anxious moments in the dark-room and long hours at editing and titling benches. The Norwich Amateur Cine Society have just completed two productions, “ £ove,” and “ The Simple Life.” The Society’s latest idea is a news-reel of Norwich events. Which reminds me of a new record for amateur cinematography created by the Brondesburv Cine Society last month. Passes to five of the Society’s cameramen were granted by the organising committee for By M. A. LOVELL-BURGESS. the Willesden Charter Celebrations. These amateur cinematographers were thus able to secure a complete filmic record both of the procession and the ceremony in King Edward VII Re¬ creation Ground at which the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Percy Green¬ away, presented the Charter of In¬ corporation to the Charter Mayor. Several shots were also obtained at the celebration luncheon which fol¬ lowed, and although some of these were not completed until nearly three o’clock, the generous co-opera¬ tion of Messrs Pathescope, Ltd., made it possible to show the entire film, roughly edited, at the Charter Mayor’s Ball, held in the evening at Wykeham School. Scout Films Wanted. Mr. C. W. Clews, hon. secretary of the Shrewsbury Amateur Cine As¬ sociation, writes to ask if I could inform him where it is possible to obtain for hire films on the Scout movement or films that have been produced by Scouts. I have tried to obtain information on this matter, but up to now have not been successful. The films must be super-reels on 9.5-mm. stock. Perhaps some of my readers can help in this matter. Mr. Clews’ address is 25, Ellesmere Road, Greenfields, Shrews¬ bury. An amateur cine enthusiast in South London writes to ask if I have any news of a new society which is being formed under the name of the Experimental Film-makers’ As¬ sociation. “ There are,” he says, “ some excellent people connected with it.” I have not heard of the Association, but I should very much appreciate full details, not only to pass on to my correspondent but for my own benefit. J etters to the Editor The Editor is not responsible for the opinions of his correspondents . STAINED PRINTS AND GLAZING. Sir, — In reply to S. J. Harbour, I have had little or no trouble from staining of either gaslight or bromide prints. This fact I attribute to using " acid hypo ” fixing-bath when using these papers, and although your correspondent does not say, I suspect he is using ordinary hypo. Contrary to his statement, I have not found any one make of paper more liable to stain than another, and have never had staining occur with any make of bromide paper, and only on rare occasions with gaslight paper. If S. J. Harbour will adopt the following modus operandi his trouble from staining will be overcome : Adjust exposure (in the case of gaslight paper) so that development is complete in about 30 seconds ; use the maker’s formula for developer ; rinse thoroughly in running water as quickly as possible ; immerse thoroughly in acid hypo. I cannot agree with the principle of putting the print to be fixed under others that are partly fixed in the same dish. I should imagine this to be a cause of uneven fixation, especially if the prints are not moved about in the dish from time to time. But if acid hypo is used, and the print thoroughly immersed for a start, there is no need for this. As regards glazing, I have had trouble with prints sticking to the glass, but since once reading in your valuable paper to wipe the glass over with a piece of fluffless cloth moistened in methylated spirit, I have not had this trouble. I do little glazing of prints now, as I fail to see any reason for doing so. Hoping this will be of service to S. J. Harbour, and that he will enjoy making his prints without any more trouble.— Yours, etc., C. BINNINGTON. A REQUEST FROM CANADA. Sir, — I am very anxious to get a number of photographs of Mobberley, Cheshire, and vicinity. It has occurred to me that through the correspondence page of “ The A.P. & C.” I might get in touch with some fellow camera enthusiast living in this district. I left Mobberley some fifteen years ago, as a boy, and have often regretted not having pictures of the old haunts. I would like to correspond with anyone willing to help me secure the same and arrange compensation for whatever expenses might be incurred. Thanking you, Mr. Editor, for your co-operation in this matter, and for the benefits and pleasures afforded me by your magazine over the past two years. — Yours, etc., COLIN DOBELL, 1032, 12th Avenue East, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. THE RISING FRONT. Sir, — May I call attention to a point to which, in my opin¬ ion, the camera designer does not give sufficient attention — I refer to the rising front. I cannot think of a single camera, at any rate in the V.P. size, which possesses one, except in the ultra-expensive class. One may pay up to £10 or £12 for a V.P. size, with first-class lens and shutter, but no rising front. It may not be desired in the popular makes, but when a man pays as much as this he is advanced beyond the snapshotter and finds the need to cut out foreground and include more sky in many of his pictures. Only this week " Mentor ” deplores the picture with the horizon across the centre, which is the position it must occupy unless we waste good material by trimming. A prominent dealer told me recently it was not possible to give a rising front with a self-erecting design, but I cannot see why the stays should not be attached to a carrier in which the shutter slides. I believe both rise and cross could be given. Alternatively, put the lens 10 per cent out of centre, and if a foreground picture be wanted then turn the camera upside down — we should probably have to sacrifice the cross move¬ ment, but the rise only would be better than nothing. It is satisfactory to note that some English cameras in the C.D.V. size do provide rise and cross movements, but in these days of fine-grain films we want the same in smaller sizes, too. — Yours, etc., H. C. WILLS. 20 435