The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (August 1891)

The Optical Magio Gantorn Journal and Photographic Balarger. 135 carriers by an elastic band spring overeach end. The plates thus fitted with the carriers are set one behind the other in the end of the camera (see cut), and are kept firmly up to the front of this reservoir by a spiral spring placed behind. The front carrier is held in position by catches, which are attached to the lever shown at the top of the figure. At one side of the catcha small piece of the wooden carrier is cut away, so that if the catch were removed to one side it would no longer retain the plate and carrier, but would allow It to pass, when it would at once fall face down in a reservoir at bottom of camera ; and each time the lever is thus actuated a plate is liberated. The movement is very similar to the escapement of a clock, but in this case the lever takes the part of the pendulum. Whilst the lever changes the plate, it also sets the shutter for the next exposure, by altering the position of the tension On same. A slight touch ona pin at side of camera suffices to liberate the shutter and make the exposure. The lens, which is set at fixed focus, is provided with rotating stops. At the side of the camera is a small Opening, at which a different number is shown as each plate is changed. As it is only necessary to push the lever from one side to the other, in order to change a plate, several plates can, if necessary, be exposed ‘in a surprisingly short time. The camera is nicely finished in ebonized wood, and weighs, when charged, about 3tlb. 102 How! Became a Lanternist.—VI. By THe Vice-Prestvexr of ‘run Lantern Socrery. (Continued from page 128.) IN my last I spoke about the divided lantern and now wish to add a word or two. mahogany box that takes both words the lantern complete, one witha handle at the to halves, or in other pune a smaller box for L or ready portable lifting and carrying ; but still it in a big cine, a es deal too large. In fact, as [ maintain, most lanterns are needlessly so ; as I have said, if I were to have a new lantern built, the following are the points I should ; attend to :—Greater lightness with reduction in size lightening the box and all appliances, as I believe with such results quite as satisfactory and effective might be obtained. The lantern outfit is a most dificult and expensive thing to get from one place to another. Now why, may I ask, cannot we make ee Bh tae as all round, by lessening the ight and size, an ing i r i ici Ni er te by going in for greater simplicity Another thing: I_ have always found considerable difficulty in getting, in London at least, one's apparatus from one place to another. It is expensive, it is risky, and anxious work to send them by the ordinary carrying companies. Supposing a man uses his own gas apparatus and gives his own time, and employs horse vehicles for transit,;it means in many cases double expense. I think at least it should be understood, even amongst amateurs, that where expenses in these exhibitions are incurred they should be met by those for whom he exhibits. Of course, such a thing as a fee is out of the question and wou'd make the man a professional at once. Yet I call to mind a' great many exhibitions that have been given by a Whilst I have a! number of gentlemen of my acquaintance and not in one case out of a dozen are the expenses recouped. Whilst some of us may be able to afford this, there are many lanternists, and good men too, whose position in life is less fortunate and who cannot afford the expense thus incurred. Asthese words may possibly reach some of those to whom they apply, I hope a more considerate policy may in future prevail in matters they have to deal with. Whilst dwelling on the matter of lightness and portability, I should like to say a word about sheets, which are very important things. The ordinary white calico sheet does very well, but it is not by any means perfect. The loss of light, owing to the texture and the porous nature thereof, is a very serious matter, unless mixed Jets are used. Yet, if we were to go in for the sheet that is duly prepared on the principle of Tyler’s new sheet, which is the best I have yet seen, not only is the weight greater, but the sheet itself must not be folded or creased, but must be rolled. This is a difficulty that cannot be got over where handiness is a first necessity, and yet a thing from r2ft. to rsft. in length cannot well be carried on acab; itis, inshort, an impediment and a nuisance. There is, so far as I know, no means of getting over this difficulty at present. The ordinary cotton-sheet, which will roll or fold up and go into a bag with the folding or jointed screen and stand, has its defects, but on the whole perhaps is the best where portability is so essential. Take again the frame-work on which the average screen is hung: they are heavy, costly, and awkward to move about with. I have got on very well with a frame that splits up into ten parts, made of : light wood and with light joints ; but such a frame can : only be made tocarry the ordinary white sheet. It is. very light and handy, the whole thing weighing rolb. to 16lb., including the case in which it folds, the size being roft. Gin. This holds a disc which is big enough for ordinary rooms. Perhaps the time has come when most of our public schools and public halls should be fitted with a sheet permanently fixed, so as tolower and raise. In-ssome of our great towns in the Midlands and in the North this has been done. A question of its disfiguring the end of aroom, or having the cornice attached to walls, to which the trustees and others object, is a very small matter. Schoolrooms should be fitted (at least, in all cases where possible) with every facility for so popular, pleasant, and useful an apparatus as the optical lantern, which is fast becoming one of the teachers of ' our time. I do not propose going into such matters as the details of fittings; these have been ably dealt with in ‘ Editorial’ and contributed articles in this Journal. Gas in cylinders is so readily procured, so clean, effective, and econamical as to time and money, that it is a matter in which we are not likely to make any great-improvement for atime. The best plan isto have two bottles. An ordinary Sft. or roft. will usually give a couple of exhibitions with a blow-through jet. Supposing a bottle used on the last occasion may be half-filled, start it first, and let it go until empty, and attach another incase itshouldrun short. Thus, while one is being used and is always ready for use, another can be sent away to be filled. One thus feels independent of that terrible possibility —gas running short. (To be continued. )