International photographer (Jan-Dec 1935)

March, 1935 The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Hot Points Fifteen orv Dv [ENNIS H. STOVALL, who writes that clever column, "It Happened Around Here," for the Pasadena Independent , turns loose the following saga, which should be committeed to memevery cameraman. Let Dennis do his worst: The strangest and most thrilling experience I ever heard of came the way of a young friend of mine, Jack Harper, who lugged a heavy camera and old-fashioned brass-spiked tripod a number of weary miles out into the Mojave country to "shoot" a mountain lion. Jack had secured wonderful "real life" pictures of deer, coyotes, gray foxes and Catalina Island goats, not to mention all manner of birds and small game, such as rabbits and squirrels. But he wanted a "closeup" of a mountain lion. A Quandry He was acquainted with a young rancher, Ned Ryson, who lived on a ranch in the foothill country of the San Bernardinos, bordering the desert. This friend had assured Jack of at least a "long shot" at a lion if he came out. So Jack came — bringing his heaviest machine, and the big tripod. It was such a cumbersome outfit that Ned shook his head dubiously when he first looked it over and saw it set up. "It's too heavy a load to tote over a desert trail !" he declared. "Especially that brass-spiked tripod. You better leave it at the ranch and take snap-shots. Anyhow, you won't have a chance to get up all that machinery in front of old Black Nose." Big Fellow "Black Nose" was the name given to a huge mountain lion that haunted the canyons and bluffs back of the Ryson ranch. A number of times he had been seen, nearly always at a distance as he slipped like a shadow from one rock cleft to the next. Once, quite unexpectedly, Ned came upon him while he lay sleeping on a rock shelf not thirty yards off. He was a monster in size — even for a California lion. At least, he looked plenty big to Ned as he lay stretched, full length, his sleek, tawny coat glistening in the sun. His plumed tail, fully four feet long, was draped over the shelf. "That's the sort of a close-up I want to get of old Black Nose!" Jack declared. Wanted His Camera "\ ou'll never get it with that big camera — and that weight] tripod !" his friend declared. And again he advised leaving the tripod behind. Jack insisted on taking it along. "If I don't get a short shot of the old lion, I know I'll pick up a lot of fine desert views," he maintained. So the tripod went along. They rode horses as far as the base of a steep, winding trail near the mouth of a narrow chasm. Here they left the saddle mounts and proceeded afoot. Ned carried a rifle — "to play safe." He didn't want to take any chances with the big cat. He took the lead, promising to step to the rear and give his friend the "front spot" if they got close to the canyon bluffs where the lion was believed to have its lair. Lion In His Path Ned was talking and clambering along a few feet in (Continued on Page 21) A Symbol of Bell & Howell Leadership ♦ ♦ ♦ B & H Cooke I'aro Lens in photographing position on the Bell & Howell Camera. B & H F 2 Speed Panchro Lenses are corrected for the blue and red rays, as dictated by today's lighting and films, rather than for the blue and yellow rays. Eleven focal lengths, 24 to 108 mm. B & H Cooke F 2.5 Panchro Lenses, with the same correction and at lower cost, meet many needs where such speed is adequate. Seven focal lengths, 35 to 162 mm. Write for prices. The history of Bell & Howell contributions to the motion picture industry has been very nearly the history of the industry itself. The B & H Cooke Varo Lens is a case in point, — the culmination of years of effort to perfect and extend the technique of "zoom" shots. At F 3.5 the range of the Cooke Varo Lens is from 40 mm. to 50 mm. ; at F 4.5 from 40 mm. to 85 mm. and at F 5.6 and F 8 the full "zoom,'' from 40 mm. to 120 mm., is obtainable. Adjustable stops limit the"zoom" as desired. One crank controls all moving parts. The iris is varied automatically with the focal length to keep the f/ value constant. Gives critical sharpness and full anastigmat correction at all points of the "zoom." Close focusing is done with auxiliary lenses. Write for full details. Sometimes available on rental to responsible studios. BELL & HOWELL COMPANY 1849 Larchmont Ave., Chicago; 11 West 42nd St., New York; 716 North La Brea Ave., Hollywood; 320 Regent St., London (B&H Co., Ltd.). Estab. 1907. Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.