The international photographer (Jan-Dec 1931)

Twenty-six The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER April, 1931 Advise Tourists as to Camera Care Manufacturer Makes Practical Suggestions Regarding Best Methods of Protecting Film and Avoiding Annoyance MORE and more travelers are takingamateur movie cameras with them when they fare abroad. They are doing this because they find that these little instruments enable them to capture foreign life in action — just as it is lived. And when they return to their homes, they have only to throw their movies on the screen to relive the joys of their travels over and over again. Because of the increasing vogue of travel movie making Bell and Howell make a few practical suggestions as to taking camera and film to foreign countries. With regard to the camera itself, special precautions are necessary in taking care of the lens, because moisture is very apt to condense upon it, leaving a slight deposit which will interfere with the possibility of good results. This seems an unimportant point, but a dirty lens can spoil many dollars worth of film. One firm manufactures a special lens cleaning outfit, the price being nominal. Other than the matter of keeping the lens clean, no special precautions as to the care of the camera are necessary beyond the actual instructions issued with every instrument sold, except to avoid getting sand, dust or water in the mechanism. Film can be bought in this country and taken abroad; in fact, it is generally cheaper to do so because the price in the various foreign countries is usually the same as in the United States plus an import duty. However, films can be purchased at almost any of many photographic supply houses abroad, and development of their particular make of reversal film is undertaken without additional cost at numerous laboratories maintained in foreign countries by film manufacturers. All film is adequately packed for normal use, but if a prolonged stay in a tropical area is anticipated film should be purchased in special export packing for which there is a slight additional charge. Few Restrictions At the present time there is a duty on amateur motion picture film and equipment entering certain foreign countries which, in the case of travelers making a record of their tours, is not often enforced. The experience of the great majority is that a small supply of film for personal use, together with their cameras, is admitted practically everywhere without restriction. In some countries the traveler is occasionally required to deposit an amount on the movie camera and film approximately equal to the import duty. This amount is refunded if the material is taken out within a specified time, usually six months. The United States Tariff act of 1930, now a law, provides that motion pic Scmford Greenwald reciprocates for Dr. Einstein as the two stage a camera* duel in Pasadena: Taken on the occasion of the famous scientist's farewell to Western America. — Photo by Merl La Voy ture film exposed abroad, whether developed or not, if of American manufacture and if not to be used' for commercial purposes, may be brought into the United States duty free. This free entry may be made into the United States possessions overseas as well as the mainland, with the exceptions of the Philippine Islands, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Island of Guam. Before leaving this country on a trip abroad it is especially suggested that you register your camera, lenses, film, etc., with the customs office at the port of departure, using Form No. 4455. This will save all argument as to American origin when you return. Advise Occasional Processing After you have replaced your exposed film in the round black metal case which is furnished with all 16 mm. film, place the case in your paper carton or metal sealing case but do not reseal. If you wrap the entire package in several layers of ordinary newspaper it will help wonderfully in preventing deterioration from moisture. It is recommended that all travelers have an occasional roll of film processed abroad if possible, so as to afford an opportunity of checking their results. If you have film processed abroad, it is advisable to avoid mailing it across international borders, as delays and difficulties invariably occur. Many travelers prefer to bring most of their film home with them to have it processed at a domestic laboratory with whose work they are familiar. Note — At the date of writing, all film processed in Italy must be censored in Rome before leaving the country. This is a long procedure and should be avoided if possible by having film processed after leaving Italy. The laws evidently are not intended to operate against the amateur; therefore, film is generally admitted free providing it is carried in the owner's personal baggage. Kolibri Makes Bow A new camera, the Kolibri, makes its bow to the photographers of America, through Carl Zeiss, Inc., 485 Fifth avenue, New York. Kolibri is an extremely compact instrument, is only 4% by 3 by 2 inches in size outside, uses standard vest pocket roll film on which it produces sixteen exposures, each IVi inches by 1% inches. The ordinary vest pocket print is 1% inches by 2Vz, which the Kolibri "halves," giving you twice as many exposures. The lens is a Carl Zeiss Tessar f3.5 with 2 inch focal length, with enlargements made up to 10 by 14 in size. The Compur Shutter is standard equipment, giving automatic shutter speeds from 1-300 of a second to one second along with the regular time and bulb equipment.