The international photographer (Jan-Dec 1936)

March, 1936 The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Twenty-one quence may be avoided by buying library film of the subject missed. These library films are readily cut into your own personal travel record, and round out your entire subject nicely. "Filmo Topics": Containing material that is of timely interest to amateur cinematographers, "Filmo Topics" is an attractive publication of the Bell <S Howell Company. Special articles in the current issue of "Filmo Topics" include: "Shoot Them Indoors, Too" — containing some specific data on inte rior movies, both for 16 mm. and for 8 mm. Filmopan film; an interesting discussion of Kodachrome 16 mm. natural color filming; "The Evolution of a Movie Party" — describing an annual event in the home of a movie maker in planning and presenting a film party; together with photographs of new Bell & Howell amateur movie equipment. A copy of "Filmo Topics" will be sent, gratis, to any user of motion picture equipment by addressing the Bell & Howell Co., 1801 Larchmont Avenue, Chicago, 111. QUESTIONS and ANSWERS By F. Hamilton Riddel i. How many Photoflood lamps, for making interior movies, can be safely used on one circuit? Do not use more than five lamps on a single circuit, or you may encounter fuse trouble. 2. Are there any other precautions to observe in using Photoflood lamps? When using Photoflood lamps in ordinary home fixtures, bridge lamps with parchment or cloth shades, etc., make certain the bulbs do not come in contact with the shades. It is even advisable to keep an eye on Photoflood lamps so placed, as they burn at high temperatures, and if left lighted for a considerable length of time, scorched shades will result. Except for artistic lighting effects, back-lighting, etc., it is far better to light your scene with Photofloods in metal photographic reflectors. The efficiency of the Photofloods is enhanced three-fold and there is no possible danger of damage to the regular room lamps. 3. Can still picture enlargements be made from single frames of a movie film? Yes, whether you are using the reversal or the negative-positive film system. However, the method for securing stills differs with each system, the negative-positive offering the most direct. In the latter case, merely project the 16 mm. negative frame onto a sheet of enlargement paper, develop the latter, and your print is completed. Reversal frames require projection onto a piece of cut film negative, development, then subsequent printing from the processed cut film negative to obtain a still-print. 4. Is it necessary to use expensive fast negative film, reversal or negative-positive systems, in black and white cartoon work or direct title work? No. Ordinary positive film stock will serve the purpose nicely. As a matter of fact, due to its contrasty characteristics, positive film used as a negative will prove superior for this type of work. 5. Can regular 16 mm. film be used in 8 mm. cameras? I note it is the same width as 8 mm. camera film. No. Before processing 8 mm. is identical in size to regular 16 mm., as you state, but the number of perforation holes per frame is increased. There are three perforation holes, instead of two, on each side of 8 mm. film frames. Thus regular 16 mm. perforated film cannot be accommodated in 8 mm. cameras. 6. In a pinch can 8 mm. perforated positive film be used in making 16 mm. titles? I use both outfits, 8 mm. and 16 mm. Yes, though for convenience sake it is not advisable; inasmuch as your titles may not frame themselves automatically in the projector. Moreover, extreme care would have to be exercised in splicing 8 mm. perforated film together with regular 16 mm., so that improper register of frame lines may be avoided. 7. Is increased speed of the super-fast camera film its only recommendation? Absolutely not, although speed is the most generally talked about feature of fast films. Of equal importance, unfortunately not emphasized often enough, is color correction. That is, the ability of the fast films to render faithfully, in black and white tone gradations, the subject as the human eye sees it. Other types of film, the non-Panchromatic, are not sensitive to all the colors of the spectrum, though they are none the less valuable for use in certain types of motion picture work. 8. Do the darker modulations on a sound film track render the loudest sound volume in projection? No, just the opposite is true. Light modulations on the sound track afford loud volume, while the dark ones produce reduced volume of sound. Do Not Buy r ii til You Have Seen OUR NEW VARIABLE AREA RECORDING SYSTEM Features Found Only in Expensive Equipment • Variable Area • Rotary Film Drum • Constant Film Motion Dampener • Synchronous Motors • Dynamic or Ribbon Microphone • Portable or Studio Types Introductory Offer for Limited Time $1975.00, Net— F.O.B. New York Sound Film Enterprises, Inc. 723 SEVENTH AVE. NEW YORK, N. Y. Cable Address: SOUNDFILM Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.