The international photographer (Jan-Dec 1935)

January, 1935 The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Three Miniature Camera Photography (. By Augustus Wolfman New Afffa Films To Be Available For The Rolleiflex ILATTENING Prints: No doubt it is quite annoying, and also detracting from the appearance of the print to have its edges curl up. Many photographers seem to take it for granted that the only way to have neatly flattened prints is to mount them. Quite the reverse, prints can be had which are perfectly flat if only a little additional work is resorted to. First of all, what causes a print to curl : It is due to the difference in the amount of contraction both the gelatin of the emulsion and the paper undergo while drying. The gelatin contracts to a greater degree, hence the fact that the print curls inwards. One method of overcoming this detriment is to immerse the prints in a solution of glycerin, which renders them limp and smooth. After the prints have been thoroughly washed, they are taken out of the water, the excess liquid is allowed to drain off, and they are then placed in a solution consisting of about 4 ounces of glycerin in a quart of water. The prints are stirred about in this bath until they have become impregnated with An easy subject for the miniature camera. Taken on Agfa Superpan film, developed in Paraphenylene-diamine-Glycin and printed on P. M. C. No. 11. it, after which they are removed and dried, when they will remain straight and in a limp condition. The usual method of successfully flattening prints is to moisten the back of the dried print with a piece of wet cotton, or similar material, placing it between blotters, and putting this sandwich underneath a weight of about 40 pounds for about 48 hours. Many times I have placed the prints and blotters between the pages of a magazine, and using a stack of large books to provide the weight, allowed the prints to remain under the pressure about three days. The results were always perfect. Many photographers will claim that they have tried this method and still have prints which curl at the edges. This can usually be attributed to the fact that the prints have not been allowed to remain under pressure for a sufficient time — 48 hours should be the minimum. Efficient print presses can be obtained at all dealers which will greatly simplify matters and shorten the time necessary for good results. Many of these contraptions, such as the Willo press, will be found to be ideally suited for amateur use. Dealers will also be found to have on hand patented solutions for flattening prints. Those who do not wish to expend the additional time to press their prints, can resort to such solutions, or use the glycerin solution mentioned above. In any event there is no excuse for curled prints. Flattening Film: While we are on the topic of flattening we might as well include film. After the film has been processed and dried it will curl up to some extent, especially with motion picture film in which case the roll is usually about five feet long. If the film curls up greatly it will serve as a detriment in those cases where the roll is cut up into strips. One remedy is to put a weight at the end of the roll when it is hung up to dry. A metal film clip of the type sold by Eastman is the ideal tool for this purpose, or any clip of suitable weight will do. When the film is dried it will be perfectly flat and when cut into strips they will be straight, without showing any evidence of a curl. However, if there are curled film negative strips on hand having been cut from a roll which has not been flattened, there is a method, suggested by one amateur, to flatten them. The strips are rolled up in the opposite direction of the curl, rubber bands are carefully slipped around them, and they are then put in a warm place such as close to a radiator, for about an hour or two. When the strips are unrolled they will be found to be quite flat. New Agfa Color Film to Be Available for the Rolleiflex: Burleigh Brooks informs us that Agfa in Germany will soon introduce a new ultra fast color film which will be available for the 6x6 cm. Rolleiflex. This new film is six times faster than the former Agfa color film, which was rated as requiring 30 times as great an exposure as "film of 18° Scheiner. The new film Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.