American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1938)

35mm. sound-on-film double system recorder, the fidelity of recording is such that it meets all demands of studio service. The sound recording, or conversion of electrical impulses into light impulses, is done by a rugged galvanometer giving ample exposure on sound recording positive with a lamp current of 1 ampere at 6 volts. Built with the same precision as the famous line of cameras, the Mitchell sound recording system incorporates devices which have proved to give reliable and trouble-free operation over a long period of time. Latest addition to the corporations' cinema instruments is the background projector. Introduced in 1937, it em CINE-KODAK Super-XX film, four times as fast as regular CineKodak panchromatic film, is now available for 16mm. motion picture cameras, the Eastman Kodak Company announces fi'om Rochester. Ideally suited for moviemaking under the adverse light conditions often encountered in fall and winter, Super-XX film will be welcomed by all users of 16mm. film for whom the day always is too short as well as those who have wished for faster 16mm. film for adverse lighting conditions indoors as well as out. In the past an f.1.9 lens and the fastest film available were required for dependable football moviemaking — and even then pictures could not be taken at dusk or in the rain. Under adverse conditions, telephoto lenses, which are necessarily slower in speed, were of little use. But with the new high-speed Super-XX film many of these limitations are removed, and pictures never before possible are now well within the range of the photographer's equipment. With the new film an f.2.7 telephoto lens (such as the 2 ¥2 and 4 inch long focus Cine-Kodak lenses) is faster than an f.1.9 lens used with regular CineKodak panchromatic film. On the same basis of comparison a regular f.1.9 CineKodak lens is equivalent to a lens working at the enormous aperture of f.0.95, faster than f.l. With all its extreme speed, Super-XX can be used for moviemaking under normal bright sunlight conditions — if a neutral density filter (No. 2) is placed on the camera lens to prevent overexposure. This filter is simply removed when light conditions become adverse, and the full speed of the film is then effective. The phenomenal speed of Super-XX film has been obtained without loss of ciuality or increase in grain size. The film is fully panchromatic, and produces pleasingly balanced renditions in black bodies methods of construction found exclusively in the Mitchell line. The film movement is similar to that used in the Studio camera, and so assures a perfectly steady projected picture with accompanying quietness of operation. Today with more than 500 cameras actually in daily use all over the world, the Mitchell Corporation approaches with confidence its twentieth birthday. The personnel is gratified because of the continuous and sincere response that has been evinced over a period of years in support of its high standards of mechanical workmanship, courteous service and willingness to advance with the needs of the motion picture industry. and-white from brightly colored subjects. It is processed at Rochester or Eastman branches which process other CineKodak films, and the finished positive shows the fineness of grain which is characteristic of all Eastman reversal processing. As with other Cine-Kodak films Supei'-XX film, 16mm. is processed without charge. Indoor Exposure Table For Cine-Kodak Super-XX film and bare Mazda lamps in rooms with medium-light colored walls and furnishings. Exposures are for Cine-Kodaks operated at normal speed. Halve the illumination for half-speed pictures. Distance Total from Lamps Diaphragm Wattage to Subject Opening of Lamps Feet f.1.9 100 2 1/2 200 3^ 300 4^ 400 5% f.2.8 200 300 3 400 500 4 f.3.5 300 2y2 400 500 600 3% f.4.0 400 2 ¥2 500 2H 600 3 800 31/2 When using bare No. 1 photoflood lamps and an f.1.9 lens opening, place one lamp 6V2 feet from the subject, or two at 9 feet, three at IIV2 feet, four at 13 feet. An f.2.8 lens opening requires one No. 1 photoflood at 4^/2 feet, or two at 6i'2 feet, three at 7V2 feet, four at 9 feet. With No. 2 photofloods use half as many lamps, or the next smaller diaphragm opening. Spencer Lens Develops Color Projector ANEW projector for 2 by 2 inch and 3% by 4 inch color slides has been announced by Spencer Lens Company of Buff'alo. It is said to project a 2 by 2 inch slide with greater brilliance than does the usual 1000-watt auditorium lantern slide projector with a 3V4, by 4 inch slide. So much illumination is available that an iris diaphragm is sometimes needed to control the light on the screen when using thin slides or projecting to small gatherings. For dense slides or large magnifications the full intensity of the illumination can be utilized. The facilities of this convertible instrument will be available for both amateur and professional. It will be offered three ways: For 2 by 2 inch slides only, for 3% by 4 inch slides only, and for 2 by 2 inch and S^A by 4 inch slides. The only difference is in the optical units, which can be exchanged in a few seconds. The new projector is equipped with a 750-watt lamp, cooling fan, three element condensing system with heat filter and projection lens. Lenses range from 6V2 inch (f2.75) to 10 inch (f4.23). It weighs 21 pounds and measures 21 inches in length, 7V2 inches in width and 8% inches in height. The Spencer organization developed the color projector after extended experimental research. ▼ Victor Marketing New Type of Continuous Projector A new 16mm. portable continuous projector, which is being placed on the market in both silent and sound models by Victor Aniniatograph Corporation, Davenport, Iowa, embodies a patented "advance-feed" principle which insures trouble-free performance and protection against film destruction. The great "bugaboo" of continuous projection always has been the eventual tightening up of and the loss of freedom in the film windings in the film magazine or around the film driving rollers. The backbone of this principle is the positive regulation of the amount of film fed to the intermittent film-moving member of the projector. In the Victor continuous, the film is wound loosely around two large wheels which are driven synchronously by an endless belt, which also acts as a conveyor for the film. The film literally hangs from the upper wheel, which actually carries the film instead of drawing it along. The film capacity of standard models of the unit will be 500 feet. Special models with greater capacity can be supplied on order. EASTMAN'S 16MM. SUPER^ XX NOW READY December, 1938 • American Cinematographer 523