Amateur Photographer & Cinematographer (1936)

January 29th, 1936 The AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER a 6 CINEMATOGRAPHER a I INTEND saying a word or two about a couple of enlarging accessories — lamp and easel — about which I have received questions from readers. The first question was with regard to the method by which an electric lamp could be placed other than vertically in a horizontal enlarger. I have recently converted three horizontal enlargers so that they can be used for electric light. One old one, made for oil lighting, I described and illustrated some time ago. In this case the lamphouse was modified so as to take the lamp, bulb downwards, on a sliding rod through the top of the lamphouse. Another one had been used for gas, and the third for acetylene, but in no case did I have any trouble with the transformation. The sliding tray with an upright rod at one end, as shown in Fig. x, is a common fitting in horizontal enlargers, and if it is not present it can be bought separately. Whatever the old fitting on the upright rod it is slid off and discarded. The horizontal rod which supports the lamp can be obtained in two forms ; in the first the ring at the end is horizontal, so that the lamp is vertical ; in the second the ring is at right angles (as in Fig. 1) so that the lamp is horizontal as shown. In buying one of these fittings care should be taken to see that the ring is the correct standard for the lamp, so that this can be inserted, and clamped with the locking ring. The part which slides up and down the rod should be a pretty close but easy fit. It is sometimes necessary to enlarge the opening with a reamer. The clamping screw should also be examined, as I have known this to be too short in the shank to bite on the rod. Manufac¬ turers want a bit of watching sometimes. There is often lettering, indicating the wattage, on the end of the bulb, and this will cause trouble unless it is removed. I have always found it yield to a rub with a rag and a little turpentine. In the illustration the plug at the end of the flex is of the " pin ” type, but sometimes the bayonet form is necessary. A plug is now obtainable which has both fittings, one being changed to the other by a turn of a milled ring. It is a most ingenious and useful fitting, and costs only a shilling. Such a fitted lamp — say a 60-watt — is not only excellent for an enlarger, but it is useful for exposing gaslight paper. It can be used " in the open,” or fitted into a simple printing box as described and illustrated in this paper quite recently. The other question was as to the best enlarging easel for a beginner. I am always suspicious of that word “ best.” Fig. 2. 1 8 103