American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1941)

♦ ♦ ♦ THE SHOWCASE.. 8mm. Continuous Projection A continuous-run film magazine having a capacity of 1000 feet of film, which may be attached to any 8mm. projector, is offered by the National Service Company of Hollywood. Trade-named the "Readyview Projecto," it is stated to be the first continuous-projection attachment commercially made for 8mm. The device consists of a simple base upon which any 8mm. projector may be [placed. Extending upward from this base is a supporting column at the top if which is mounted the film-magazine. This magazine contains 1000 feet of Bmm. film, spliced to form an endless loop. Within the magazine, the roll of film lies on its side, supported by radialv-positioned knife-edge bearings which, it is stated, permit the roll to revolve with the minimum of friction and at pie same time eliminate the complica:ions of roller-supports. The film is fed to the projector from the outer edge if the roll, and fed in again at the •enter, passing at these points over reieved, plastic rollers. It is stated that it no point in the device is anything n contact with the emulsion-surface of he film. The endless loop of film extending from the magazine is threaded through :he projector in the usual manner, loopng over a special bakelite flange fitted iver the take-up spindle. The manufacurers state that the tension of the film at the projector's feed sprocket is no greater than when an ordinary feed eel is used, and that film has been continuously projected for weeks at a time |Vith no appreciable injury. Magazines are quickly interchangeible, being removed from the supporting •olumn by the removal of a single screw. ||Jsing the magazine's full 1000-foot ca>acity permits an hour and a quarter's ontinuous projection, at the end of vhich the original starting-point has again returned to the projector, ready to be shown again. The device, which sells for $39.50, is stated to be particularly adaptable for such business uses as displays in stores and offices, convention-booths or exhibits, sales or educational meetings, and the like, while the use of 8mm. film instead of 16mm. should reduce costs of film and equipment notably, and open an entire new field for commercial substandard films. The manufacturers further hold that the device has some applications in home filming, as well. A 16mm. model is reported also under test and nearing manufacture. G-E Speed Midget Development of a new and revolutionary photoflash lamp producing a flash so brief as to freeze moderate motion and so fast as to greatly simplify synchronization was announced by General Electric's lamp department at Nela Park. It is called the G-E MAZDA Speed Midget Photoflash Lamp SM, or for short: the "SM". Unlike other types of photoflash lamps, the G-E SM lamp employs no aluminum leaf, free wire, or shredded foil within its bulb. Instead, a small amount of chemical paste applied to the ends of the lead-in wires (in an atmosphere of oxygen) produces the SM's rapid flash. Although the SM has the same shape and size as that of the popular G-E mighty midget No. 5 flash lamp, it comes to peak of flash in 1 '200th of a second, lives its entire life in only 1 100th of a second. The new source produces only about one-fourth as much light as does the G-E No. 5 midget bulb. Nevertheless, the SM's flash has been found to be ample when used with the improved films now available. Ektra Accessories Six accessory items for the new 35mm. Kodak Ektra — including a special flash synchronizer, ground glass focusing back, view finders for high, low, and right-angle work, a close-work rangeand-view finder, and a special tripod clearance head — are announced by the Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester. The accessory Close Range and View Finder is intended for use with the 50mm. Kodak Ektar f:19 lens at distances from 3a2 feet down to 1% feet; and with the addition of the Kodak Portra 3+ supplementary lens, down to 10 V6 inches. Its features include a single eyepiece for range and view finder, automatic parallax correction, a vernier scale for distances shorter than 1 'feet, and an internal mask which is slid into place when the Kodak Portra 3+ lens is used. The price is $40. This accessory can also be obtained, on special order, with a specially-calibrated focusing dial for use with the 50mm. Kodak Ektar f :3.5 lens. The High-Low Angle Finder permits the Kodak Ektra to be used conveniently from waist-level when used on a tripod or other firm support, as well as overhead — thus greatly extending the (Continued on Page 199) American Cinematographer April, 1941 183