Evening star., 1951-12-30

AS regularly as Coiu Wcdtiicl
rolls around people winterize their
cars, using special lubricants and
anti-freeze compounds to keep
the engine in good shape. But
just as regularly they fail to give
their cameras the same considera-
ton. Then they curse when they
get bad pictures or none at all.
A camera is made up Of delicate
mechanisms which will react to
extremes in weather. OF course,
you can't dose your camera with
anti-freeze but there are certain
precautions that you can take
that will prevent wintry tempera-
lures from playing havoc with
picture-taking.
Most Of us will be shooting pic
lures this winter at temperatures
near freezing and q few, who go In
for winter sports, will very likely
encounter below-zero weather.
real problem for any cameraman.
In either case common problems
will arise. Most shutters. II clean
and In good working condition, |
will operate normally at tempera-
lures above the zero mark. Sol
will other working parts. II thel
cold is below zero. however, theI
camera should be winterized. This
means that the camera will have
to be dismantled by an expert who
will thoroughly clean 1t and rel
move the lubricants before rel
assembling. This sort Of tobI
should never be undertaken by any
one other than q fully qualified
repair technician.
Test for Movie Cameras.
Amateur movie photographers
will probably have more mechani-
cal troubles than the still man
because their cameras will have
many more moving parts. The
best way to find out If your movie
camera will work in extremely
cold weather is to place it in a.
unit for about an hour. i.
Then give it o trial run, working
all the moving parts, including the
diaphragm setting Of the lens. II
the motor runs at the usual speed
after this treatment, you can be
sure that the camera viii function
properly when taken outside. Test
the motor by running the camera
at 16 frames per second. Then
advance the speed to 80 frames.
II the motor runs faster at the
81 frame setting the chances are
that It has not been affected by
the cold. II there is no apparent
change In the motor speed at the
different settings you will know
that an overhaul Is due If you
wish to operate In extreme cold.
You will encounter other cold
weather troubles such as conden-
sation. brittle film, battery trou-
BILE II you use flash. and break
ages Of leather straps. cases, etc.
None will be much of a problem
If you take the proper precautions.
Few things can be as vexing as
Aim that has been exposed to
excessively cold temperatures. It
will become very brittle and hard
to handle without breaking. II
the flm does become brittle from
cold 1t must be handled with ex-
treme care. Otherwise you run
the danger Of cut fingers. We ad-
wise you to load your camera In
doors while the film is still piable.
Extra rolls should be carried in
an inside pocket for protection byI
the natural heat Of your body.
The cinematographer should take
extra care to be sure that his
loops are ample when the Aim is
brittle; otherwise q break is apt
to occur.
Protect the Camera.
When 1t is raining or showing. |
in addition to the cold, your
camera should be given every pro-
lection. Keep it In its case at all
times-even when taking the pic
lures. II you don't own a case
or when using an unprotected
movie camera, keep the camera
in your overcoat pocket, inner
pocket or under your outer cloth