Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1949)

386 OCTOBER 1949 SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR DRIVE for the E.K. Cine Special 110 Volt A. C, Single Phase, 60 Cycle This motor will run in synchronization with either 16mm. or 35mm. sound recorders. It is provided with mounting platform which permits removal of magazine while camera remains mounted on motor. Drive coupling attaches to single-frame shaft of camera and is mated to spring-steel drive arm of motor gear box. This assures that camera mechanism cannot be damaged if a film jam occurs as the spring steel arm drive will shear. This is easily replaced. A knurled knob on motor armature permits rotating for threading. "On-Off" switch built into base. Platform base threaded for W and %" camera tie-down screws. Rubber covered cable with plugs included. Price $150 Immediate Delivery (7flm€Rfl€ouipm€nT(o. V— . 1600 BROROWRy new UORK CITS V_> STOP APOLOGIZING FOR YOUR MOVIE TITLES Write today for a FREE A-to-Z Sample Title Test Kit. Make titles that are different . . . better and tailored to your taste. Try our method . . . FREE. COMPLETE COLOR OR B.&.W. OUTFIT $6.50 A-to-Z MOVIE ACCESSORIES 175 Fifth Avenue Dept. M New York 10, N. Y. BLACK AND WHITE • KODACHROME ENLARGED REDUCED' DUPLICATES GEO. W. C0LBURN LABORATORY, Inc. 164 N. Wocker Dr., Dept. M, Chicago 6, III. Easy • Quick • Convenient MOVIES BY MAIL from our FILM RENTAL LIBRARY FREE! our 1949 Sound movie catalog, hot off the press. Feature programs as low as $3.75. to Dept. R PEERLESS CAMERA STORES 138 E.44th St.,New York 17.N.Y. rice and lily pads. Undaunted, you nevertheless start out on your fishing trip with the boys. Well, every time you get in a boat you start sneezing so hard that you can't cast. The rest of the gang get all the fish. You get desperate, but can't overcome this "allergy" to lily pads. The last day arrives. You set out grimly with a clothes pin on your nose, succeed in catching the biggest bass of the trip. Then you find that your "best friend" had been blowing sneezing powder your way every time you got in a boat. Ideas for gags or continuity are everywhere — your local newspaper items; popular music; colloquial sayings ; personality traits. So try this simple formula on your next production. See if your guests don't ask you to project more movies, instead of getting as beady-eyed as your screen. Guides for good projection [Continued from page 373] jector and your screen? Since it is generally desirable to position one's projector behind all members of the audience, this maximum distance (or projector "throw." as it is called) is likely to be the longest dimension of your living room, playroom or wherever else you project your pictures. Fig. 2 shows clearly the relation between projector-to-screen distance and the resultant picture area. The middle horizontal line of figures (the one set in heavy type) presents the width of picture area created by the standard 1 and 2 inch lenses of 8mm. and 16mm. projectors respectively. It seems likely that the projector-to-screen distance available to most home filmers will fall somewhere between the 16 foot to 25 foot figures. These distances, we see from the table, create picture areas running from 3 feet to 4 feet, 8 inches in width. And these are, we believe, screen sizes more than adequate for pleasant home movie projection. If anything, the 4 foot. 8 inch screen area is already verging into being too big — even at the 25 foot throw. FOCAL LENGTH AND SCREEN SIZE It should be noted in Fig. 2. however, that projector-to-screen distance is not the sole factor determining the picture area. The focal length of your projection lens also plays an important part. The relationship of this focal length to area covered in projection lenses is exactly similar to that in differing camera lenses. You have in your camera a so-called standard lens which covers a given area at a given camera position. If you wish to picture a wider area from the same camera position, you use a wide angle (shorter focal length) lens. If you wish to cut down the picture area from the same position, you use a telephoto (longer focal length) lens. It will be seen in Fig. 2 that these same possibilities for control of area are offered by projection lenses of varying focal length. Thus, if you cannot set up your projector far enough back from your screen to get the picture area you desire, don't give up hope. Simply find out what projection lenses of shorter focal length than the standard are offered for your projector — and see if they solve your problem. In like manner, if you have the opportunity (or necessity) of placing your projector well behind your audience — and consequently are getting too large a screen image — check on what results a longer projection lens will give you. LENS, LAMP AND SCREEN SIZE In changing the focal length of your projection lens, however, there is one matter which you will want to consider carefully. This is the speed (or ability to pass light to the screen) of the accessory lens you are considering. As mentioned earlier, practically all standard projection lenses are now rated at the helpfully high speed of f/1.6. This means that a relatively high percentage of the light created by your projector is ultimately reaching the screen. Since it is more difficult (and therefore expensive) to manufacture a fast lens than a slow one, there has been a tendency in the past for accessory projection lenses to be offered at speeds one to two stops slower than the f/1.6 standard. Fig. 3 shows several of the speed and focal length combinations which have been offered in this way. Happily, this discrepancy in speed between varying lengths of projection lenses is disappearing increasingly in the accessory lenses now being offered. DESIRABLE SEATING AREA By now, let us say, you will have determined on and bought the correct screen surface, the correct screen size and the correct projection lens — each selection being determined by your individual needs. You're about set, then, to put on a pleasant and effective projection party. There is, though, one other factor you will want to consider to get the most from your excellent equipment. This is desirable seating area — where to seat your guests so that they will see your pictures most effectively and comfortably. Fig. 4 tells this story clearly and concisely. Begin reading this chart at the screen pictured on the right. It might be of any width, depending on the size of the room and the audience involved. The important point is that whatever the