International photographer (Jan-Dec 1935)

August, 1935 The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Eleven tively fast shutter speed is used, unless a tripod is employed. This is not the case. The above suggestions are intended for those individuals who cannot seem to master the ability of holding the camera steady during exposure. Before closing it is well to mention a hint suggested by a miniature camera enthusiast who also engages at target practice. He mentions that to insure steadiness just before and during the moment the trigger is pressed he presses his tongue to the roof of his mouth, which naturally causes him to hold his breath and keep the body steady. The same stunt can be applied to making exposures with the miniature camera. New Agfa Ansco Cameras. Among a number of new cameras recently announced by Agfa Ansco called the Plenax cameras are three which accommodate the PB20 (620) film and permit either 8 pictures 2}4 x 3^4, or 16 pictures 21/^ x 1^. These cameras are in the lower price class, one being equipped with an Achromatic Antar lens, another with a Rapid Rectilinear fill, and the third with an f :6.3 anastigmat. Fast Films. It is a peculiar fact that amateurs are always employing the superspeed films even though the type of work they are doing does not warrant the use of a fast film. The comparatively great speed of the modern supersensitive film seems to hold a fascination for many photographers. This is not intended to degrade fast films for they are indispensable on many occasions, such as during the early morning or later afternoon, or in artificial illumination. However, why employ a fast film when shooting in broad daylight in which case its great speed is not needed. Generally slower films give a finer grain, and also produce more snappy (contrasty) negatives. When engaged in ordinary outdoor photography an orthochromatic film such as, Perutz Neo-Persenso, Plenachrome, Verichrome, etc., or one of the special fine-grain panchromatic films, as Panatomic, Finopan, or Micropan, can be employed. These films have sufficient speed, and will also produce a negative with a finer grain. To Bulk Film Uusers. Many photographers who own the cine film type of camera purchase their film in bulk instead of daylight loading and unloading cartridges or spools. Mr. E. W. Lewis of Riverside, Conn., has hit upon a good idea of making things much simpler in the matter of loading the magazines. He describes his home made aid as follows: "A handy way to mount the film winder for use at home and particularly when traveling, is to attach it to a strong box, or a similar type of wooden container. This box should have a hinged lid and be light tight, when closed and fastened. When traveling the film, magazines, scissors, trimming guide, knife, etc., can all be placed in the box, and the film winder being firmly screwed to one BY AUGUSTUS WOLFMAN ^ side, is ready for instant use. When using it in the dark room the trimming — guide scissors, and magazine parts are placed on the opened cover and are easily found. If friend wife calls you from the dark room for something you just have to do right now, down goes the cover, and all is protected until you get back to finish the job." Another simple gadget devised by Mr. Lewis is a hand agitator. This is made by merely cutting about an inch off the end of a regular clothes pin. By making two, one could be used for the developer, whereas the other can be employed when hypo is in the tank. Painting these two home-made agitator different colors will prevent them from becoming mixed up. Handy Case for the Exposure Meter. Mr. Forman of Rahway, N. J. seems to have solved the problem of a simple and convenient manner of carrying about the exposure meter. Many photographers find their electric exposure meter bulky when it is suspended about the neck, or dropped in a pocket. In addition when the latter practice is adopted the glass of the meter may become scratched. Mr. Forman constructed from a piece of soft glove leather a handy case for his Weston Leicameter. This is attached to the everyeady case of the Leica camera. In this manner the meter is well protected and does not present the problem of how to carry additional equipment. The accompanying illustrations show plainly how the meter is attached to the eveready case of the camera, and how easy it is to bring it into action. M. P. G. Formula. In the May 1935 installment of this department two formulas suggested by the Edwal laboratories were listed, one containing paraphenylene-diamine, and the other paraphenylene-diamine hydrochloride, both having metol and glycin. The writer has used a single batch of the metol, paraphenyline-diamine formula for five rolls of film obtaining good fine-grain negatives showing excellent gradation. This developer seems to have good keeping qualities, and this single batch will (Turn to Page 31 ) vm-i "■fiii'iiiiBiiitiiiiiiiiiinitrji'tii MnMMMMM In Sound Recording THE NEW PRINCIPLE MINOR QUARTZ OPTICAL UNIT becomes an integral part of your sound recorder — this unit is cemented into a steel block — it focuses a beam of light of great intensity and actinic value a distance away and on the film, which PROVIDES CLEARANCE and PREVENTS SCRATCHING of the sound track. The width of the beam of light measures from .0005" to .0008" as it strikes the moving film. This Quartz Optical Unit was used for the sound effects in the recent production of the "Tarzan" picture, filmed in Guatemala and referred to in the March issue of International Photographer. Send fa details and specimen of nd track. C. C WISOI 1835 Whitley Aver Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.