Evening star., 1950-02-05

Shooting pictures In the winter
time poses a few problems not
otherwise encountered by the
amateur photographer. Low tenn
peratures will affect the lens Of
your camera, it's shutter and other
working parts, and even the film
and other accessories. This calls
for a few precautions that will
make your cold-weather picture
taking a pleasure rather than a
chore.
Effects of cold may not be ap-
parent at the time you take the
pictures, but will show up later
in poor quality films and prints.
Overexposure and fuzzy pictures
are the greatest danger. One
comes from a slowed shutter and
the other results from condensa-
ton or icing of the lens. You
may notice at the time that your
camera is not functioning as
usual-particularly If you are
shooting motion pictures. The
movie fan is accustomed to the
sound of his camera mechanism
and any change from the ordinary
is usually noticeable. The still
photographer will need to exercise
greater caution as there Is little
audible difference between an ex-
posure at Tooth Of a second and
twice that speed.
In extreme low temperatures,
film will lose its elasticity and
become brittle. If the film is
wound too quickly through your
camera under this condition it
may break in the camera with
dire results. The same applies to
the use of film packs. In this
case the tabs should be pulled
very slowly to avoid cracking or
breaking a film that is otherwise
very flexible. In the case of the
roll-film camera, load up before
going outdoors while the film is
still pliable and your hands are
warm. Threading brittle film with
half frozen hands is no fun as
you will soon discover If you try
it the hard way.
Cold Congeals Oil.
Working parts of your camera
are fabricated with a fine film Of
oil. This oil will CONCEAL to some
extent as the temperature drops
and will, of course, tend to slow
down your operating mechanisrns.
just how much this will affect
your exposures will depend largely
upon the length of time that the
camera has been exposed to the
cold and how well protected it
may be while outdoors. Another
factor is the degree Of cleaness OF
your camera. II you, have al
lowed dust. grit or dirt to seep
into the fabricated parts even q
slight congealing of the lubricants
may stop the works" entirely.
Should you have any reason to
suspect that your camera is not
as clean as it should be, take it to
a repair shop for a good overhaul
and cleanup job. Assuming that
lit is in good shape, you need take
only normal precautions against
the cold. A quick trip outside the
house to take a few snapshots will
find your camera working as well
as in warmer weather. But once
you bring it inside again into
house temperature you will need
to beware of condensation that
will form on the lens. A few min
utes wait will usually be enough
| for the moisture to evaporate but
the process may be hastened by
wiping the lens with a sheet OF
lens tissue or a very soft, clean
cloth.
You may be planning a fairly
long picture taking expedition
and. If so, a few additional safe
guards are necessary. The first
consideration is warmth. II yours
is small camera, place it in the
pocket of your overcoat If the
weather is only normally cold for