The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

July, 1953 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN 81 A Film Technicians Notebook — continued tives produced do not require reversal or optical treatment. From these negatives the laboratories may turn out conventional or flat prints of the production; or, using both negatives, can provide the dual prints for stereoscopic projection. If either production is to be exhibited wide-screen, this decision rests with the particular exhibitor. The widescreen aspect being given by masking the aperture top and bottom and using wide-angle projection lenses. The American Cinematographer Handbook, more popularly known as " Jackson Rose " (after the indefatigable editor), and sometimes as the "cameraman's bible," has now appeared in a new edition — the eighth. It still keeps its handy pocket-size format, and is packed to the covers with the charts and tables which have made it an almost indispensable part of a cameraman's equipment. All technical information has been revised and brought up to date, and several new features have been added. Among the latter there is a short article on background projection, which forms a useful introduction to the subject; some data on underwater photography by an expert in this very specialised branch; photography for television and kinescope recording are also included. Notes on the Eastman and Ansco colour processes have been added to the section dealing with colour photography. And the final article describes Cinerama. A.C.T. have again obtained a Treasury permit to get copies for our members. The price with the special discount will work out at about 35 shillings, and copies should be ordered from Head Office. What is believed to be the first telerecording ever made from a TV screen was broadcast recently by the B.B.C. in " The Passing Show " programme. Mr. J. E. Davies, of the Marconi Company, combined his enthusiasm for TV and his hobby, amateur cinematography, to make a film record of the first outside broadcast in the history of television, the 1937 Coronation Procession. The camera he used was a 16mm. Moviekon, shooting at f.1.5 and a speed of 12 frames a second. The 12 frame shooting speed was chosen partly to cope with exposure difficulties and partly in the hope of overcoming the problem of synchronising the camera shutter with the 50 frame speed of the TV picture. Mr. Davies reports that he used Kodak Super XX Reversal stock, but I wonder whether his memory is accurate on this point, as to the best of my recollection, Super XX wasn't introduced till 1938. T^HE 1953 edition of the British Standards Year■*• book has just been published and gives a list of the 2,000 British Standards current at the end of March 1953, with a brief description of the subject matter of each. The Yearbook also gives the usual information on the membership of the General Council and the various committees. A comprehensive index simplifies reference. The price is 12/6. The following new and revised standards have been issued by the British Standards Institution and can be purchased at 24 Victoria Street, London, S.W.I. 1927: 1953 Dimensions of circular cone diaphragm loudspeakers. 2/-. Specifies the mounting dimensions of circular cone diaphragm loudspeakers which affect their physical interchangeability. The standard does not deal with performance characteristics, but certain stipulations are made regarding nominal resonance frequency and nominal impedance in view of their importance from the point of view of electrical interchangeability. 1928 : 1953 Lateral-cut gramophone records and direct recordings. 2/6d. Specifies the important dimensional features of lateral-cut gramophone records (78 and 33J r.p.m.) and of direct recordings. Requirements governing the recording characteristics, changeover frequency, and information which should appear on the label. 1404 : 1953 Screen luminance (brightness) for the projection of 35mm. film. 5/-, Specifies the maximum and minimum limits for screen luminance, at the centre and the sides of the screen, for both black and white and colour films. The conditions of measurement and the type of photometer to be used are specified. The specified limits are based on a comprehensive series of investigations which are described in detail in appendices. 1404 : 1953. British Standard for Cinema Screen Luminance. 5/-. The British Standard for screen brightness was first issued in 1947. On the basis of extensive (Continued on next page) THE CROWN THEATRE Provides Complete Studio Projection Service at Any Time to Suit Your Requirements DOUBLE HEAD PROJECTION MIXING PANELS FOR TRACKS also SUB-STANDARD PROJECTION SEATING FOR 70 PERSONS SOUND SYSTEM ALSO THREE EDITING BAYS 86 Wardour St., London, W.l