The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (March 1891)

92 —— The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. confine our description to the size best adapted for; lantern work—not that the others differ essentially. That which is known as Kodak No. 3 gives pictures 33in. x yin. The general appearance of the various Kodaks is | very similar, and a good idea is conveyed by the illustration Fig 1. It will be observed that a key stands on top of the camera; this is employed for presenting a fresh sensitive surface opposite the lens —for the Kodak uses a continuous transparent film. An ingenious mechanism, termed a roll-holder (Fig. 2), occupies the greater portion of the camera; a spool of film is secured in its place, and the film is brought over rollers past the exposing plane, and the end secured to a roller which terminates in a key on the top of the camera. The spool holds sufficient film for sixty or one hundred exposures, each revolution of the indicator, which is operated by the key, presenting a new surface for exposure. By a simple method a puncture is made in the film between each exposed portion, so that when cutting up the film for development there is ‘uo chance of dividing the band except between the exposed portion. The lenses fitted to this Kodak are high-class rectilinears ; they have a shutter working between the Fig 2. lenses and rotating stops and adjustable speed; there is also a rack and scale for focussing. Finders are provided both for horizontal and vertical exposures, and provision is also made for attaching it to a tripod for time exposures. The camera is covered in morocco, it measures 4jin. x §4in.x rrdin., and weighs 4lb. when charged for one hundred exposures. To one familiar with Kodaks, the instructions to be chiefly borne in mind are—(r) Pull the string ; (2) Turn the key ; (3) Press the button. 303 MANCHESTER AMATEUR Socigery.—Mr, R. O, Gilmore writes ; “‘ You say in your February issue that the Manchester Amateurs are big slide makers ; well, they are, and they give entertainments at the different clubs and ragged schools, and I may say they are now having rooms fitted where slides can be made, and one end of the room painted white, and a lantern there ready so that a slide can be tested atonce, They now own three lanterns, all good ones—a single oil, a single lime lantern, and a new three decker ; valued at £200," ' first one, Hints on Enlarging. By A. R. DRESSER. CHAPTER V. Now having decided which way you will enlarge, the next point is what to enlarge upon. I fancy very few amateurs will care to make enlarged negatives, but my advice to those who do is, use a good and slow plate, take great care to keep clear of dust, which is one of the greatest evils you have to contend with; as to the developer to use, if one knows how to work, almost any developer will give good results; but I prefer the hydroquinoine for making positives and enlarged negatives. I generally make an enlarged positive of half plate size from my quarter plate, then varnish it, and add any little retouching it may require, and then from the half plate positive make an enlarged negative of the desired size. J shall only just touch on this way of enlarging, as I fancy it is seldom used except by the profession, and by very few amateurs ; of course it has its advantages, but again it is a great trouble and expense. Most amateurs will, doubtless, enlarge direct on bromide paper, and that is certainly the way I recommend. Working bromide fapers is like working dry plates : it is essential to select a good brand of paper, learn how to work it properly, and stici to it, not go trying then another make, and finally if not successful throw the blame on the paper, when it is in reality your own fault. At the present day, when | bromide paper is in such demand and so well known, no maker puts bad paper on the market for his own. | sake. There is a variety of bromide papers on the market to select from. I prefer Fry's argentotype, or the Eastman Co.’s, as I am thoroughly conversant with them, and can depend when using these bromide papers of always getting good results, and if I did not, I should have myself to blame. Iama greatadvocatefor bromide paper, and do all my printing, whether by contact or enlarging onit, and whichever way I work I can get results that satisfy me, and that is the chief point. I am. one who likes the black tones, and always strive to: get results like platinotype ; and find I can easily do so, but then I getalot of practice. For those who like warm (brown and red) tones, I would advise the use ot. “Alpha” paper, which, after one has used fora short time, willenable him to get almost any colour he may require ; but for enlarging it must be remembered that it is slow, and requires a much longer exposure (quite four to six times as long as the bromide papers I have mentioned), so if you expect to succeed in your enlarging find out the make of bromide parer you will work, and stick toit till you are perfect in all its. workings ; then if you like (not that I advise it) try others. If you expect to get perfect, or rather really good! results inyour enlargements, learn to do double printing —that is learn to print in skies, so that there is not a great space of white where there should bea sky. I feel strongly on this point, and always print a sky in where required. It is not hard to learn, and should be learnt at all costs. A few trials will master it; it can only be acquired by experience and various trials. I have ro time now to go into the