Amateur Photographer & Cinematographer (1934)

April 4th, 1934 STEREOSCOPIC WORK. Sir, — I was very pleased to see the letter by Mr. W. J. Potter in favour of stereoscopic work, and making mention of the “ Puck ” camera made by Messrs. Thornton-Pickard. My conclusions for some time have exactly agreed with those now reached by your correspondent, viz., films essential, for ease, certainty and convenience, and 2-J square, 6x13 cm., far and away the best size both for separation of lenses and for viewing, but, unfortunately, so far as I am aware, there is only one camera on the market with all these features, and the price is high. I hope that before long we shall see Messrs. Thornton-Pickard putting on the market one of this size, possessing the advantages which the " Puck ” shows, with further refinements. There are signs that before long we shall see a revival of stereoscopic work, making use of modern films, lenses and sizes, for the stereo user is at any time able to secure good single pictures when they offer themselves, besides having his own special advantages. — Yours, etc., J. A. HUBBARD. THE PERFECT CAMERA. Sir, — -With regard to the article in " The A.P.” on " The Perfect Camera,” there is little doubt that most of your readers read this article with the idea that they would learn something helpful with regard to their new season’s camera. The size V.P. is a foregone conclusion, the same with the enlargement size, 10x8 in. Aperture f/2 or f/1.9 with a 7-cm. focus does not leave much to be desired with regard to depth of focus, and T don’t think there are many amateurs who will grumble at the moderate price of these excellent lenses. We have several very good V.P. cameras on the market now, but there seems to be something lacking in all of them. The Ihagee Exakta V.P. Reflex is a step in the right direction. Here we have a choice of various lenses down to f/1.9 with interchangeable Telephoto lenses up to 9-in. focal length, and also a focal-plane shutter. My idea of a perfect camera is a V.P. reflex with all the various view-finders and lenses, focalplane shutter speeded up to i/i,oooth sec., also a Compur shutter with delayed action, and fitted with a plate back as well as roll film. I don’t think anyone could wish for a camera any more ideal than this, and I hope that it will soon be possible to obtain one similar to the above description. — Yours, etc., F. W. DOBSON. CRITICISM. Sir, — I have read in a recent copy of " The A.P.” an article by Mr. John St. Aubyn under the heading of “ How I make my Exhibition Pictures.” After an excellent dissertation on various technical matters (on which, knowing little of such things, I am prepared to agree with him), Mr. St. Aubyn boldly ventures upon the thin ice of aesthetic criticism, whither, in the hope that it be strong enough to bear us both, I would attempt to follow him. As he makes such glib use of the words “ beauty ” and ‘‘beautiful work,” it is to be presumed that Mr. St. Aubyn knows what he is talking about, and I would ask him, therefore, for the benefit of such inaesthetic readers as myself, to define precisely what he means by these words. May we assume that the two works reproduced alongside his text may be styled " beautiful” ? If this is so, would he have the goodness to explain to me — base Philistine that 1 am ! — in what respects they differ from any average “ pretty ” chocolate-box lid ? Mr. St. Aubyn also makes the somewhat startling assertion that a certain “ very celebrated sculptor ” " has to keep his name before the public by ' Day ’ and ' Night Might I ask Mr. St. Aubyn upon what grounds (not .-esthetic ones surely !) he bases such an outrageous statement, or may one look upon it merely as a rather extravagant piece of high-flown verbiage ? I would, in charity, prefer the latter. — Yours, etc., JAMES STONES. The AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER a 6 CINEMATOGRAPHER a ews and Reviews Items of general interest from all quarters. The Daily Mail is the first in the field this year with a newspaper photographic competition. ^100 every week is the sum offered for amateurs’ newi snapshots. The Annual Exhibition of The Birkenhead Photographic Society has proved an outstanding success. The open class brought 300 entries from exhibitors in twelve foreign countries. Messrs. Ilford, Ltd. have announced a new grade of gaslight paper. It is called “ Selo Rayon,” the name being selected because of the likeness of the material in texture and sheen to artificial silk. This new paper is coated on a delicate shade of doubleweight cream card, with a most fascinating embossed surface which has all the brilliance of a glossy or semi-matt print without its disadvantages. " Selo Rayon ” lends itself to all sorts of variations, such as deckled edges, wide margins, plate printing, etc., and discriminating amateurs should ask their dealers to show them how they are utilising this new printing medium. For the amateur who makes his own prints this delightful material is also available at the same prices as doubleweight gaslight paper— -in 8d. and is. 3d. packets. The management of the “ German Settlement ” Exhibition, being held at Munich, June 2-October 14, announces a prize photograph competition which will be open to all, irrespective of nationality. Prizes will be given for the best pictures illus¬ trating the advantages of owning a freehold house on freehold land. Photographs of old villages or of settlements are also accepted. Closing date of the competition is April 14, and photographs should not be less than 6 cm. square. Further information from German Railways Information Bureau, 9, Queen’s Gardens, W.2. A reduction in the price of roll films is announced by most of the leading makers, including Kodak, Selo, Zeiss Ikon, Ensign, Agfa, etc. This applies to the 3J x 2J and the 4 J X2 Jsizes. The films previously listed at is. 2d. are now is. ; those at is. 4d. are now is. 2d. ; those at is. 5d. are now is. 3d. ; those at is. 8d. are now is. 6d., and those that were 2s. 2d. are now is. gd. The Autotype Company of 59, New Oxford Street, .W.C.i, has issued a new and revised edition of their general catalogue of materials and accessories for the carbon and Carbro pro¬ cesses. In addition to the price list, a brief outline of the carbon process is included which serves as a guide to those trying this printing method for the first time. A copy of the list will be sent free to any reader mentioning The Amateur Photographer. The first Pathescope 9.5 Super Gazette issued as a news reel for amateurs contains the following : 1 — Tragic death of King Aloert, 2 — Cambridge win the Boat Race, 3 — England win the Calcutta Cup, 4 — Grand National, 5 — H.R.H. The Duke of York Opens Bridge of the River Tees, 6 — Annual Steeple¬ chase of Eton College. Particulars concerning this amateur news reel may be obtained on application to Pathescope, Ltd., 5, Lisle Street, London, W.C.2. An attractive set of showcards, display posters, window pelmets and other decorative publicity for Selo Films has just been issued by Selo, Ltd. Much originality is displayed in the designs, and we understand that they have been sent to dealers in all parts of the country. They will form an attrac¬ tive display during the coming season, doubtless helping the sales of Selo films considerably. Messrs. Zeiss Ikon, of Mortimer House, 37-41, Mortimer Street, London, W.i, have issued an attractive set of pamphlets and leaflets dealing with the various models of Zeiss Ikon cameras and other products of this firm. They are excellently illustrated and fully descriptive. Copies will be sent free on application to readers of The Amateur Photographer who applv to the above address. 307 9