Amateur Photographer & Cinematographer (1937)

September 22nd, 1937 Th[ AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER p 6 CINEMATOGRAPHER a POPULAR-SIZE ENLARGERS IN our Miniature Camera Number, published on March 10th, we presented a description and a price-list of all the cameras and enlargers for negatives of the generally accepted “ miniature” sizes that were at that time on the market. In later issues (those of June 2nd, July 21st, July 28th and August nth) we extended this review to cover box-form, folding film, folding plate and reflex cameras in the 3JX2J and 3JX2J sizes. The following pages, which deal with enlargers in these latter sizes, complete our survey of cameras and enlargers in all sizes below quarter-plate. In these reviews, enlargers are divided into four groups. The first, daylight enlargers, are simple fixed-focus en¬ largers that produce a print of one stated size from the whole of the negative. Being primarily intended for daylight, which is a more brilliant illuminant than any artificial light, they have lenses of comparatively small aperture, so that even if adapted for use with artificial light, exposures will be long. And it will be evident that the limitation of fixed focus is rather a severe one. The second group, comprising horizontal enlargers, consists of instruments that will produce work as good as any that a vertical enlarger can turn out, but they are rather more cumbersome in use. Unless a wall is pressed into service, an easel is required to hold the paper, and the whole, enlarger and easel together, occupies a good deal of space. But horizontal enlargers have the not inconsiderable advantage that the maximum enlargement they will give is limited only by the space available. Non-automatic vertical enlargers are more compact and more convenient to use, the image being projected down¬ wards on to the baseboard and brought to a sharp focus by hand. The maximum enlargement available is here limited by the height of the upright carrying the lantern or projector-head, though in many cases this can be swung round on its upright to project its image past the baseboard to a piece of bromide paper held on an improvised support at a lower level. Used in this way, the only limit to the degree of enlargement is set, as with the horizontal enlarger, by the maximum distance that can be arranged between lens and paper. The vertical enlargers with automatic focussing are the most convenient of all to operate, the image changing in size as the head is raised and lowered, but remaining sharp all the time. Generally this convenience has to be paid for — in loss of flexibility as well as in cash. Most enlargers of this type cannot be used for greater magnification than can be obtained by projection on to the baseboard itself, as swinging the head round would destroy the adjust¬ ment of the focussing mechanism. There are, however, exceptions to this, and one or two enlargers combine the flexibility of the ordinary type with the convenience of automatic focussing. The brief description of the various instruments given below indicate, in almost telegraphic language, the most essential features of each enlarger. The points picked out for emphasis are those on the basis of which an intending purchaser could decide whether the enlarger in question is, or is not, among those likely to suit his needs ; for further details he is referred to the manufacturers or agents, whose addresses should be sought in our advertisement pages. With these reviews to help him, a purchaser should neither overlook an enlarger which might suit him nor waste his time enquiring for details of any that do not meet his particular needs. The question of price is often an important one ; at the end of the reviews there is a summary in which the price of each enlarger, complete with optical equipment of one or more kinds, is laid out in tabular form. The third column of this includes the range of enlargement, in diameters, that each model will give, it being understood that an instrument that will enlarge 10 diameters will produce a print 25 X 35 inches from a negative of size 2^ X3^ inches. An asterisk following the degree of maximum enlargement means that the projector-head can be turned to project off the baseboard for still greater magnification. Daylight Enlargers. DAORNYTA. Fixed focus enlarger, enlarging to postcard size, half-plate or whole-plate, according to model. Has diffusing screen over negative to allow any light source to be used. Fitted achromat lens with exposing shutter. Price, from £1. J. Lancaster & Son, Ltd. ENSIGN DAYLIGHT. Simple fixed-focus enlarger, fitted achromat lens with shutter. Enlarges to postcard size or half-plate according to model. Price, from 17s. 6d. Ensign, Ltd. Horizontal Enlargers. “CONDENSER” No. 2. Horizontal enlarger for electricity, incandescent gas or acetylene, using double condenser and diffusing screen. Focussing by quick-thread screw, the extension being sufficient to allow reduction. Reversible negative carrier with rotating, falling, rising, and cross movement. Supplied with or without lens, or without focussing movement to take user’s camera and lens. Price, from £3 10s. according to equipment. J. Lancaster & Son, Ltd. “CONDENSER” No. 4. A de luxe version of the No. 2 “ Con¬ denser ” enlarger, with rack and pinion swing movement to negative carrier. Price, from £5 15s. according to equip¬ ment. J. Lancaster & Son, Ltd. HORIZONTAL MAGNAPRINT. Simple horizontal enlarger with manual focussing. For electricity only, using double condenser. Fitted 105-mm. f/6.3 anastigmat. Price £5 15s. Ensign, Ltd. DIFFUSA H.M. Simple horizontal enlarger for electric light only, using two 60-watt clear lamps with reflector and diffuser. Can be obtained as attachment to which user’s camera and lens are fitted, without lens, or fitted with 4 -in. achromat or anastig¬ mat lens. With 4-in. lens enlarges from ii diameters upwards. Price, from £1 7s. 6d. according to equipment. J. Lancaster & Son, Ltd. MARVEL. Simple horizontal enlarger for elec¬ tricity, incandescent gas, or acetylene. Fitted double condenser and sliding focussing movement. Can be had with or without lens, or without focussing movement to take user’s camera and lens. With standard lens sufficient extension for reducing is provided. Price, from £2 according to equipment. J. Lancaster & Son, Ltd. MIRAX. (Enlarging Attachment.) This is essentially a lamphouse with stand to which is attached a camera, the whole making an enlarger which can be used horizontally or vertically. For electricity only, using special bulb. No condenser is used. With stand for 348 41