The international photographer (Jan-Dec 1933)

Eight The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER September, 1933 RANDOM NOTES ON THE ELEMENTS OF MINIATURE CAMERA PHOTOGRAPHY By Karl A. Barleben, Jr., F.R.P.S. The miniature camera is no longer an experiment! It has been abused, scoffed at, and ignored ! It has withstood the test of time, and has finally arrived at the point where it is today hailed by all who know photography — the others don't count anyway. The baby camera can be seen in the hands of tyro and expert alike, the rich man, the poor man, the snapshooter, the highly skilled photographic technician. The world has finally come to the conclusion that the miniature camera is practical and useful, no longer regarded as a toy, or a passing "fad." Unfortunately — or fortunately, as you see it — miniature cameras require a somewhat different technique and handling, and it is this which has proven to be the stumbling block for so many who have not been willing to learn the new methods. Miniature photography might be said to have introduced a new form of photography, and those who have not kept astride with the modern trend are hopelessly old-fashioned and out of date. Previous to the introduction of the miniature camera, who ever bothered about fine grain? Such a thing was unheard of, for there was no need to worry about it with the larger size negatives. Today all photographers, still and motion picture cameramen, are "fine grain conscious" so to speak because the miniature camera indicated the necessity of fine grain. Can anyone deny that photographic results are better today than they were five years ago? We can therefore thank the miniature camera for many of our improvements and better technique in photographic matters. Miniature cameras are still cameras which produce a negative area not greater than 3x4 cm. (1^4 x lj^ths in.), strictly speaking, although many enthusiasts using the full vest pocket size negative ( l^ths x 2*/2.) consider themselves miniature workers — but let us not split hairs. Miniature cameras are roughly divided into two groups: those using the standard vest pocket size roll film (No. 127), and those accommodating standard 35 mm. motion picture film. Of the first class might be mentioned the Dolly, Makinette, Rolleiflex, Picco Chic, Foth Derby, Pilot, Pupille, Vollenda, Ranca, Mickey, Eho, Kolibri, Baby Ikomat, Weeny Ultrix, Perkeo, and Korelle as representatives. Of the second class there are comparatively few, although they are exceedingly popular for obvious reasons. The Leica, Contax, Peggy, Memo, and Korelle-K are the chief representatives of this class in the United States. This second class is subdivided into two groups : those producing the standard silent motion picture area, 24 x 1 in., and those producing a double standard area, 1 x \Yz. The Memo and the Korelle-K make the single frame area while the Leica, Contax, and Peggy make the double frame area. And if you want to get really accurate on the subject, there is also a camera accommodating standard 16 mm. cine film ; the Mini-Fex. However, for all practical purposes, it becomes diffi cult for the individual, particularly if he is a beginner, to make a proper selection. All miniature cameras available in America are highly efficient and can be relied upon to produce the results. Naturally the workmanship and quality are bound more or less by the price, so after the individual has decdied about how much he wishes to pay for a camera, the next step is to determine whether it should use roll film or cine film. Let us, for a moment, pause to consider just a few of the "talking points" of each. Roll film is of course a well-known medium, and can be purchased on a moment's notice in nearly every drug store — and there is a drug store on every corner these days. Score one for roll film. One can always get a supply of fresh film, no matter where he is. Then, too, roll film does not require rolling onto spools or into magazines — it can be taken from the carton and loaded directly into the camera. Score two. Every commercial finisher — and some of them certainly are finishers — is equipped to handle roll film, which means that one does not have to scout about seeking a special processing station. Score three. Economy means much these days, and the miniature camera, due to the small negative area produced, gives sixteen pictures to the roll instead of eight as is customary in the usual run of folding cameras — in other words, one gets twice his money's worth with the miniature camera. Score four. As for standard 35 mm. film stock, we find first of all that a variety of emulsions are available. The user can select the type of film best suited to his individual needs of the moment. Thus for ordinary snapshots he can use ortho film, for color correction, filter, or night work he can use a pan film, for micro-photography there is a contrasty pan film — DuPont j4~sPeed pan, for copying black and white material such as book pages, legal documents, etc., where strong contrast is desired, there is regular positive film to be had. Even infra-red sensitive emulsions are available for long distance work, haze-cutting, and trick effects. A film for every purpose would be a good slogan for motion picture film as used in miniature cameras. Roll film cannot begin to compare with cine film in this respect. A big score one. Cine film is more economical than roll film, for sixteen or eight exposures per foot of film may be made — and you know how much a foot of film costs. A big score two. Cameras using cine film ordinarily accommodate sufficient film for from 36 to 50 exposures per loading — in one case, the Korelle-K, 100 exposures are made to one loading. This means that cameras have to be re-loaded less frequently. A big score three. It can be seen where the beginner would have difficulty in making a selection from the standpoint of sensitive material. It appears that the more advanced workers lean towards cameras using motion picture film while in general, the snapshooter with little or no experience likes the roll film camera because of its greater simplicity. This is not a rule, understand, but merely a rough estimate. Fine grain is of vital importance in miniature camera photography, and he who is not willing to realize this Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.