Amateur Photographer & Cinematographer (1935)

Tm AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER © 6 CINEMATOGRAPHER a ‘ ‘Deciders' Questions ^ ANSWERED General. — Ail communications for the Editor should be addressed : “ The Editor, The Amateur Photographer ana Cinematographer , Dorset House, Stamford Street, London, S.E.i,” and in every case, without exception, must give the name and address of the writer. Contributions. — The Editor is glad to consider original, up-to-date manuscripts on photographic subjects. All contributions must be typewritten, or in very legible handwriting on one side of the paper onlv. Letters or communications arising out of matters already appearing in the paper are not paid for. The Editor disclaims legal responsibility tor the safety ot matter submitted to him, but he will endeavour to return rejected manuscripts, etc., when a stamped addressed envelope is enclosed. MSS. or prints that are not actually accompanied by a stamped wrapper or envelope can in no case be returned. Reproduction fees for prints are only paid by arrange¬ ment beforehand. The sending 01 a print, without any condition stated, w ill be taken as permission to reproduce it without fee. Enquiries and Criticism.— Advice, Criticism and Information are freely given, but the following conditions should be re td carefully before applying, as any communication which does not comply with the rules must be ignored. (ij bee General " above. (2) Every question and every print for criticism must be sent separately through the post, and must be accompanied by a separate stamped addressed envelope. No exception can be made in any case to this rule, except so far as enquiries or prints from Overseas are concerned. (3) Neither enquiries nor prints for criticism must be enclosed with competition prints. (4) On the back of each print sent for criticism, in addition to the name and address of the sender, must be the title (if any), and the criticism coupon from the current issue. (5) Enquiries should be clearly written, on one side of the paper only, and should be specific and not general. Such enquiries as " How can 1 take interiors ? ” or “ Can you give me some hints on outdoor portraiture ? "are too general to be dealt with in this section. (6) All envelopes should be distinctly marked " Query " or '' Criticism," as the case may be. (7) Prints are sent for advice or criticism on the distinct understanding that by so doing per¬ mission is given for their reproduction without fee. We endeavour to deal promptly with enquiries, but cannot undertake to answer by return of post, nor can we give precedence to any enquiry. A selection ot those replies is printed each week, but all questions are answered by post. Enquiries from abroad must contain a coupon also, but it need not be from the current number, and should be cut from the latest issue to reach ihe enquirer. Stale Paper. I send two samples of stale bromide paper. 1 have tried the method of restoring it as given in the “Dictionary of Photography,” but can see no improvement. How can I make it usable ? H. C. M. (Cockermouth.) Very little can be learned from the mere appearance of the bromide paper. Neither seems in very bad condition, although one . is certainly worse than the other. If the treatment suggested does not answer we do not know of anything else that will. Speed of Papers. Which is the faster paper, bromide or chlorobromide, and how much faster ? S. C. R. (Forest Hill.) In a general way bromide paper is faster than chloro-bromide, but it is quite out of the question to say how much faster. It is possible to get a bromide paper that is slower than some chloro-bromide. A comparative speed list of all such papers is given in the Burroughs Wellcome Diary. Adhesive Tissue. I send a sample of adhesive tissue which I am unable to use. Is there any method by which it can be revived ? H. W. B. (London.) We know of no method by which the tissue can be restored, but we see no reason why it should not be still in good working order. You do not say why you are unable to use the tissue, but if the trouble is that it does not adhere properly, the most likely explanation is that you are not using the correct temperature. Making Bellows. I cannot find in back numbers any instructions for the making of bellows. As I wish to renew my own could you give me instructions for both straight and graduated types ? C. A. M. (Clapton.) It is a great many .years since we published instructions for making bel¬ lows, and we do not think that such an article is now of any interest except to very few readers. It is practically im¬ 26 possible for the novice to make success¬ fully the small bellows now used, and even with larger bellows their making involves lengthy instructions and dia¬ grams. A firm regularly advertising in our columns provides bellows of all sorts and sizes, and we think it would be advisable for you to renew your bellows from such a source rather than attempt to make them. Free-Lance Work. Could you give me any advice on sending photo¬ graphs to the papers ? Is there much profit in it? W. N. M. (Elie.) The question of photography for the Press is not one to be dealt with in the form of a reply to a question. There are several books on the subject, and you would do well to obtain a copy of such a otic as " Free-Lance Journalism with a Camera,” by Rufus H. Mallinson, price 3s. 6d., postage qd. As to the amount of profit to be obtained from this work nothing can be said. Some amateurs do very well at it, and others meet with little or no success. Transparent Envelopes. I have tried a dozen stationers in vain for trans¬ parent envelopes to take 4^x6 cm. negatives. Can you tell me where I can obtain them ? P. W. (Birmingham.) It is not much use going to stationers for the envelopes you want ; the source of supply is one of the large photographic dealers. We should say they provide the envelopes in all sizes ; at any rate, we know they go down to 3TX2J in., and as the cost is very low, there would be no drawback in using these for smaller films as well. Portrait Lenses. Lens makers list portrait lenses and portrait anastigmats ; what advantages has the more expensive type ? H. D. (Preston.) The difference between the two lenses would depend largely on the purpose 284 March 27th, 1935 for which they were used. For ordinary portraiture there would probably be little advantage in the anastigmat form, but if the lens were also to be used for copying and enlarging the advantage would obviously be very great. Architectural Work. I wish to take up architectural photography. Can you tell me of an elementary book on the subject, and of a Postal Club for workers in this branch ? J. M. E. (London.) We know of no textbook now in print dealing with architectural photography. The only Postal Club dealing with architecture of which we are aware is one of which the Secretary is Mr. S. G. Hall, 93, Hall Road, Handsworth, Birmingham. If you communicate with him he will no doubt give you particulars, and inform you whether there are any vacancies. Developing Films. Is it possible to develop roll films partly, cut out each negative, and put some in water while the others are further developed ? L. H. M. (Hertford.) What you suggest doing with the spool of film is often done. You must remember, however, that the character of the negatives put for some time in water will be slightly altered, and with some developers a stained image may result. We have often dealt with this matter in our columns. Physical Development. What is meant by physical development ? What other kinds of development are there ? G. H. (Bradford.) The question of physical develop¬ ment cannot be fully dealt with in a brief manner, to say nothing of all the other methods of development. If you can refer to the “ Dictionary of Photography ” you will find that the subject of development occupies 27 pages. A practical method of physical develop¬ ment is described on page 265 of this isssue. Time Development. In one of your articles it is stated that the develop¬ ment time for a certain solution is from six to fifteen minutes. Can you give me some narrower limit ? J. E. H. (Beaconsfield.) We cannot give you any narrower limits than those stated for time de¬ velopment. As we have frequently pointed out, the time varies, not only according to the kind of negative re¬ quired, but according to the material being used. It is really necessary with any time and temperature table to have a classification of sensitive materials, indicating which require longer or shorter development. Ten Per Cent Solution. Mr. Wastell once said that 1 oz. of potassium bromide made up to 9 oz. 1 dr. with water was a 10 per cent solution. The Ilford Manual gives 10 oz. of solution. Why the discrepancy ? J. B. P. (Cheam.) The formula given by Mr. Wastell in the article was quite correct, but, as was explained at the time, it refers to the avoirdupois ounce of 437J grains. If the apothecaries’ ounce of 480 grains is used then the 10 oz. of solution is correct.