CAMERA NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1053, 21 January 1913, Page 4

CAMERA NOTES.

[By “Focus.”]

By a process of photogiaphic evolution an amateur’s vest pockets bid fair to shortly develop into unheard-of dimensions, and will no longer remain the neat receptacle of a watch, a toothpick, or a small pencil. Photography has been an important factor in the advancement of many branches of scientific research, but its usefulness seems to degenerate when it condescends to spread its influence over the tailor’s cutter, and persuade the camera enthusiast into ordering a new waist-coat adorned with prodigious pockets, that he might follow the latest craze in cameras and accommodate them in the way prescribed by the manufacturers. Is it the fault of photography ? Or is the manufacturer to blame ? Perhaps it’s the latter ; but, anyhow, it may be a turn for the best —this revolution in camera construction —if only it will not effect our vests, and will not deprive us of our unpretentious watch pocket, or the small pouches so useful for carrying a tripod screw, a lens cap, an iso. screen, and such-like. I refer to the Introduction of vest-pocket cameras. They have not yet become common in the colonies, and so a brief description of their construction and alleged advantages may not become amiss. The “Ticka” camera is perhaps the smallest camera made for commercial purposes—an instrument designed like a keyless watch, made to take miniature roll films, with a tiny lens fitted into the winding-stem—but its utility in actual practice has proved to be very limited, and their use has therefore not become extensive. This ingenious idea evidently contained the germ of the latest craze —vest pocke: cameras.

For the past two or three years the Old World has become enthused over these dainty little instruments, at first viewing them with a certain amount of trepidation, but quickly grasping their practical advantages adopted them as a convenience long sought. The construction of these cameras varies according to price and the different manufacturers’ designs, and are adapted to either plates or roll films. The standard size for plates is 2 5-i6ius. by and for films somewhere about the same. The lens fitted is usually of good quality, and by means of enlargers supplied, a print of halfplate size can easily be obtained from these tiny negatives. Trices range from about £2 10s to ,£2O. It will be readily comprehended that if a half-plate print can be obtained from such a small plate, what a saving in bulk and weight it is. Although designated “vest pocket cameras,’’ they can hardly be accommodated in such a small space, and if considered in conjunction with the bundled and one other articles which the photo graphic dealers advertise as “convenient lor the vest pocket,” it must seem that our vests will soon be designed with pockets large enough to cover the entire garment. The adaption of all the latest movevents in the construction of these instruments is responsible for the high figure at which some of these are priced, and when we remember the advantages of a focal-plane shutter in conjunction with a sligmatic lens of such reputable make as a Zeiss Tessar (f/4.5), it will be readily understood why they are catalogued at such a price. They are really the climax of efficiency, portability, and convenience in camera construction. The possibility of securing critical sharpness in these small negatives is assured through the use of good quality lenses, and on this account prints of decent dimensions may be obtained with ease by the use of an enlarger.

In my novice days, some years ago, I had in my possession a very small box type magazine camera, carrying six plates 2 5-i6ius. by and although its retail value only amounted to the sum of 5/-, its efficiency in capable hands was surprising, and the range of subjects to which it could be adapted seemed rather elastic. Its one idiosyncrasy was that for portraits the sitter must be placed approximately three feet from the camera, under which condition, and a liberal exposure, the results would he altogether satisfactory. The lens had a resemblance to ordinary window glass, and this peculiarity was responsible for the necessity of somewhat lengthy exposures.

In comparing the construction of my primeval “pocket” camera with those of to-day, and when taking into consideration also the efficiency of the former, it seems quite satisfactory to assume that with the advantages of all the latest achievements in camera construction at their command photographers will be enabled to secure negatives of such technical quality as to convince them that the bulky half-plate outfit still in use is both unnecessary for amateur use and too cumbersome.