Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1949)

297 Hang it on your hip Buckle your camera equipment on your belt, urges this outdoor expert, so that both hands will be free for filming THEODORE H. SARCHIN, ACL WALK into any camera store and look over the display of cases for carrying cameras, meters and other accessories on a filming jaunt. There is the simple pouch-type leather case with a shoulder strap for carrying a camera. There is the everready field case carried in similar fashion by a shoulder strap. This case is supposed to be handier than the pouch type because it can be opened up for action without removing the camera. Finally, for the photographer who carries everything but the kitchen sink, there is the fancy gadget bag with innumerable pockets for cameras, meters, spare film, lenses, filters and so on. This, like all the others, is carried by a shoulder strap — to free the hands and make the carrying job easier. But does it free the hands and make carrying easier? How often have you had to adjust the strap on your shoulder? What happens when you want to move quickly? The case flops around. It swings about your body or bangs you in the side. To steady it you have to hold it with one hand. Your hands just aren't free. Now if you are the kind of filmer who moves around a lot when he's shooting, a swinging, flopping case can be a nuisance and sometimes a hazard. Take hiking or mountain climbing, for example. You need complete freedom of your hands for balance, for pulling yourself up or for letting yourself down. Your equipment must be snug against your body so that it will not strike a tree or a rock and be damaged. Parade and sports filming require the same freedom of action, if you want to get around quickly for a variety of camera viewpoints and for closeups of exciting plays. What is the answer to your problem? Why, carry it on the hip! Carry your equipment on your belt. It's safer there. It's snug against the body and it will not flop around when you move. Take a tip from the Army. The standard army field equipment includes many items that are carried on a belt about the waist. The Army knows that this is the best place to carry things under combat conditions. If you are an 8mm. filmer the solution is simple. Our second picture presents a complete array of equipment carried in small cases on the belt. It consists of an 8mm. Filmo, a Weston meter, a Retina 35mm. still camera and an accessory case that holds a 1% inch telephoto lens, a wide angle supplementary lens and several filters. The cases were made from heavy waterproof canvas. Canvas serves the purpose better than leather. It is less expensive and easier to work. Any awning maker can make a case to fit your specific equipment. The camera and meter cases were made by an awning firm before the war at a cost of fifty cents each. The accessory case I later made myself. The cases have a wide band on the back through which the belt passes and a snap on the front to hold the cover down on the case. The case may be lined with felt for greater HEAVY cameras, such as the Filmo 70-D, need extra support of shoulder strap, but belt attachment still keeps it snug and close to body. A COMPLETE OUTFIT of 8mm. movie camera, meter, still camera and two extra cine lenses can hang from the hip, says author. TWO CASES IN BACK, two at the sides, show placement of the four units pictured above. Canvas works easier than leather. protection if desired. If you can't find someone to make a case to fit your needs, then look around in your nearest army surplus store. There are many army cases that can be adapted to your equipment with a few changes. The solution is the same for the smaller 16mm. single lens cameras. The heavy turret cameras, such as the Bell & Howell 70-DA, Bolex and Cine Special require a case with a shoulder strap as well as the belt band. The strap takes some of the load off the belt. The belt band helps support the camera and also keeps it steady against the body at all times. That's the important thing! So, make your filming more enjoyable and safer. Carry your camera and equipment on the hip!