Amateur Photographer & Cinematographer (1934)

Ih! amateur photographer P 6 CINEMATOGRAPHER o plane shutter, one sometimes gets pinholes in the older blinds, but, apart from these, and provided the camera has not been exposed to a lot of damp or other abnormal conditions, little need be done. It is possible to patch up pinholes in blinds with a mixture of rubber solution and lamp-black, but a new blind is far and away the most economical proposition. Bellows should be examined for pinholes, a strong electric torch or bulb being placed inside the camera, fully extended, and then examining it in the dark-room. Do not hurry this procedure, as what appeared to be a perfectly whole bellows will sometimes disclose minute spots of light after you have' been in the dark for a few minutes. Here, again, the advice given about shutter blinds can be reiterated — the new bellows scores every time. The outside of the camera should be thoroughly cleaned ; and look out for rust, removing it at once with a piece of rag moistened with a little oil, but do not let oil get on to bellows or working parts. The release should be examined and renewed if necessary, and filters, lens hoed, etc., should be cleaned, and their fitting checked. While miniature cameras of the latest type have no bellows to be February 28th, 1934 cleaned they should still be freed of dust and any suspicion of rust, while the lens is almost certain to be better for a clean. In the case of cameras covered in black leather their external ap¬ pearance can be improved with the application of a little — a very little — black shoe-polish, and this followed with a soft polishing-cloth. A final word of warning — don’t clean up your camera and its accessories and then put them back into a dusty case. Give the case a thorough clean, and you can set forth on the good-weather photo¬ graphy with pleasant anticipation of freedom from irritating faults. The Camera Club, of 17, John Street, Adelphi, W.C.2 is organising a competition for the finest photograph of the year of an architectural subject, to be followed by an exhibition of the accepted prints. The object of the competition is by way of providing the public with a comprehensive survey of the forms of British architecture, both present and past, and also fostering the art of photography as applied to architecture. All architects and photographers, both professional and amateur, are invited to collaborate. Any number of prints, not exceeding six, may be submitted by each contributor. A prize of a silver fruit bowl to be specially designed by an architect will be presented to the exhibitor of the winning print by the Editor of “ The Architect and Building News.” Entry forms giving full particulars may be obtained on applica¬ tion to the Secretary, The Camera Club, at the above address. All prints must arrive at the same address not later than Saturday, March 17th. P.C.U.K. — The 46th annual meeting of the Photographic Convention of the United Kingdom will be held in Brittany this year, with headquarters at St. Malo, from Saturday, June 9th-i6th, under the presidency of Mr. Murry Barford. The headquarters will be the Grand Hotel Franklin, St. Malo, and excursions have already been arranged to include Fougeres, Eamballe and Dinan and Mont St. Michel. Messrs. Thomas Cook & Son, Ltd., have been appointed official agents in connection with the meeting, and are prepared to undertake the travel and hotel arrangements for members. They have issued an itinerary with complete particulars as to times and tariffs. Members proposing to join the meeting this year should apply at the earliest possible moment to Messrs. Thomas Cook and Son, Ltd., of Berkeley Street, W.i, or to the Hon. Secretary, Capt. F. C. T. Hadley, Houndsfield, Hollywood, Birmingham, to whom the Convention subscription of 5s. should be sent direct, and who will be glad to supply further details of membership. The Autotype Company, of 59. New Oxford Street, W.C.i, have just issued a new edition of the “ A.B.C. Guide to Auto¬ type Carbon Printing.” This standard work should be in the hands of every photographer who is interested in the process. Copies will be supplied on application to the above address at is. 2d. post free. The Coronet Camera Club have just issued their 1934 cata¬ logue a well-produced and fully illustrated booklet in photo¬ gravure describing the range of their cameras and giving full particulars of their various products. A copy will be sent free on application to The Coronet Camera Co., 310, Summer Lane, Birmingham, 19. In response to an increasing interest shown in amateur cinematography among photographers in the North-west of London, the Golders Green and Hendon Radio Scientific Society have agreed to form an amateur cinematography club as a sub-section to the Society to develop this side of the hobby. A meeting will be held on March 1st at 8.15 p.m., at the Hampstead Public Library, Finchley Road, to discuss the matter and a programme of films taken by amateurs will be shown. Scarborough Amateur Photographic Club ^announce an “ All Britain ” exhibition of photography to be held at the Scarborough Public Library from August 31st to September 15th. There are two classes : A, open to members of the Scarborough Amateur Photographic Club, and B, open to any photographer resident in Great Britain. The closing date for entries is July 28th. Entry forms and particulars are obtainable from the Exhibition Secretary, c/o 18, Ramshill Road, Scarborough. Our American contemporary “ Abel’s Photographic Weekly ” which has appeared regularly with that title since 1911, is now being published in a new guise and under the title of “ The Professional Photographer,” complete with a picture cover and a full range of illustrations of a pictorial character. The paper will, however, in future appear fort¬ nightly instead of weekly. Ensign ” Show-at-Home Library News ” is the title of a new monthly pamphlet issued by Ensign, Ltd, of 88-89, High Holborn, London, W.C.i, dealing with the most recent film releases in their library. It is well illustrated and indicates clearly the potentialities of each film which is offered, including the footage and running time. Everyone interested in at-home shows should ask to have this leaflet sent to them regularly. 186 8