American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1952)

CUTAWAY VIEW of inferior of Micro Record film processor shows lighffrap which is placed over film to permit daylight operation. Reversal and rotation of film on reels is automatic by means of compact 110-v motor drive. A Compact, Portable Motor-driven Developing Outfit For Movie Film Automatically processes up to 200 feet of 35, 16, or 8mm film in less than one hour. By ALVIN The need for a small, compact auto¬ matic film processing unit for lab¬ oratory or field use has been met by the Micro Record Corporation, New York City, which this month announces a new, improved model of its portable Micro Record film processing machine. Small and light in weight, the equipment is ideal for a wide range of motion pic¬ ture needs — from those of the home movie amateur who likes to process his own films, to the studio cameraman who needs a quick, efficient means for developing film tests on location. Tele¬ vision stations, too, are finding the equipment ideal for quick-processing of local newsreel footage. The equipment also is being used with success for pro¬ cessing microfilms, and X-ray films. The compact Micro developing tank provides a simple, efficient, economical and speedy means for processing long lengths of film — 100 to 200 feet — where the quantity of film does not warrant the expenditure of the several thousands of dollars required for the more highly productive installations. Movie film can be processed immediately after shooting and scenes retaken if found necessary. The processing equipment, pictured above, requires hut one gallon of solu¬ tion. Tanks and protective hood over mechanism are made of newly formu¬ lated plastic material that is tough and corrosion-resistant. The material, being non-conductive, insures complete elec¬ trical insulation. The spindles that carry the reels in the solutions are of stainless steel and are mounted in precision ball bearings with sealed-in lubrication. Film reels are of tough plastic construction. The tank and hood measures approxi¬ mately 131/2" x 8%" x 101/4". Net weight is only 11 pounds. The processing unit consists of the motor-driven film-moving mechanism, loght trap, 3 nested tanks, 3 feet of rub¬ ber hose with faucet adapter, and one pair of reels. The motor is 110-volts, 60 cycles A.C. Other motors also are COMPANION equipment to Micro Record film processor is this portable all-metal film dryer with built-in heating unit. Dryer also is powered by 1 10-volt motor. available for 220 volts or 110/220 volts. For simple, daylight operation, the film to be processed is placed on the spindles of the tank. The light trap is then placed over the film and all processing operations are conducted in daylight. Separate tanks are provided for the various solutions, and the mech¬ anism, with the film in motion, is trans¬ ferred from tank to tank in the proper time and sequence. The film travels back and forth on the reels in the solutions for the entire duration of the processing period. The reversal of the rotation of the reels is governed by five feet of leader and an equal length of trailer. When the reel that is being unwound is exhausted to within five feet of the end, rotation of both reels is instantaneously and auto¬ matically reversed. This action is per¬ formed smoothly and with no jerk on the film, permitting the solutions to re¬ main between the layers of film. There are no adjustments required for processing various lengths of film; D . ROE any length up to 200 feet between the leader and the trailer can be processed in less than one hour. Where the loss of the leader or the trailer cannot be afforded, a length of scrap film, secured to each end of the film to be processed with plastic tape, can be substituted. Continuous agitation caused by the repeated passage of the film through the solutions assures brilliant and uniform images. Washing the film is accomplished in the tank provided with a hose. This may be attached to any water faucet to supply a continuous circulation of fresh water. Film, other than reversal, re¬ quires no attention from the operator until after the final washing, when it is removed from the tank and placed on a drying rack. The method is clean and requires no especial skill; daylight oper¬ ation eliminates the possibility of error often experienced in darkroom proce¬ dures. Where reversal film is to be processed, the use of a transparent tank (optional equipment) is required. (Continued on Page 268) June, 1952 American Cinematographer 249