The article, “Photographing Violence” (November issue) by Bill Pierce, has to be the best and most honest article I have read by a photojournalist caught in an intense, hostile working situation. John W. Cary, Staff Photographer Arkansas Gazette, Little Rock, Ak.
Like politics, choosing a versatile lens group of minimum weight and bulk involves the art of compromise
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Kenneth Poli
As we struggle together toward finally achieving the ideal camera outfit as each of us sees it in personal terms, let me describe my latest decision. It’s a compromise between the ideal and the practical, of course. Some of you may recall a column of mine (POP PHOTO, Sept., 1981, p.6) which discussed the sweet agonies of trying to choose a long lens.
The heart of Israel is the old, walled city of Jerusalem. To truly know Israel, one must explore the narrow cobblestone streets and alleys of this ancient city. It is awesome to walk in the footsteps of Christ along the Via Dolorosa, knowing that this was the same tortuous route where He carried the Cross on His way to Calvary.
Triple treat: three ways to tape with special effects
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Leendert Drukker
Here are three different systems to help your videotapes stand out. Starting with the simplest and cheapest way, you can call on the myriad of filters and special-effects screens so familiar to still photographers. However, one distributor is now offering videomakers a line with a difference: the Marumi V-I system is motorized.
When a good photograph happens, should most of the credit go to the photographer or the medium?
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Norman Rothschild
In the 1950s, at a meeting of New York City’s Village Camera Club, we had invited a painter to judge our monthly color-slide competition. The judging went quite well, until the first-place slide was chosen. It was a backlighted photo of multi-colored clothes on a washline.
Video imaging systems: what’s available, and what’s to come
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Don Leavitt
In the months to come, we will be looking at the use of video technology to record images—both still and moving. There are many different types of video imaging systems currently available, with more still to come. Some of the more important include:
Like to spend more time with your kids? Photography is a hobby that’s lots of fun and easy to share
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Michele A. Frank
One of my annual new year’s resolutions is to spend more time with my children while they are still living at home. Psychologists say that one of the best ways to spend time with children is to involve them in a hobby, preferably one of interest to both parent and child.
How to use Kodak’s C-41 control strips to test your own color-negative film processing
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Larry Sribnick
If you process your own color negatives and wonder if the quality of your work is as good as that of a big-time lab like Kodak’s, read on! When I process my Kodacolor negatives with Kodak’s C-41 chemical process or its equivalent, I usually add another step to the process: a water presoak.
If your lens is a soft-focus model and isn’t supposed to be, it may simply be too heavy for your camera
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Norman Goldberg
By far the most technologically advanced and complex cameras in widespread use today are 35-mm SLRs. They offer the most to the student of camera design and construction. All of them are marvels of compactness. Their combination of electronic, mechanical, and optical features cannot be equaled in any other consumer-grade product that I’m familiar with.
In recent months television viewers have shared the travels and discoveries of a photographer named Hal. The prime insight grasped by Hal (always accompanied by his dog Duke) is that wherever he goes, people drink Maxwell House coffee.
Picture a video cassette about the size of its familiar audio counterpart which provides up to two hours of recording time. Imagine an all-in-one, self-contained, battery-powered video camera not all that much bulkier and heavier than a top-line super 8 sound camera.
With an unusual blend of words and pictures he finds an elusive beauty in commonplace phenomena
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Arthur Goldmsith
Daniel Pons, born in France in 1932, is a remarkable hybrid of creative talents. He first established himself as a poet with four books published, the most recent being The Madman and the Creator (Paris, 1980). He turned to photography during the past few years to find a visual means of expressing the sensibility embodied in the words of his poetry.
The most common question that students ask is, “How can I learn to see?” Of course, they all see, but their pictures are seldom compelling images of what they were looking at. Every successful photograph depends on many factors: subject, timing, exposure, composition, lighting, lens choice, and point of view.
They cover the range from ultrawide-angle to normal focus, but are they really useful?
TEST-DRIVING THE SHORT-FOCUS ZOOMS
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Thom O’Connor
If a recent lens-making trend is any indication, many of the 50-, 40-, and 35-mm lenses normally seen as standard issue on SLR cameras may soon be gathering dust on owners’ shelves, to be replaced by zoom lenses that cover not only those focal lengths, but that also drop down to starting points as wide-angled as 21-mm.
Some bemused observations on the bonds between pets and people
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Nancy T. Engel
Photographer Tony Mendoza found himself getting involved with a cat casually at first, as most of us do. But soon after that first sandpapery, whiskery kiss, Mendoza was hooked. He’d become not only a feline fancier, but was intrigued by pets of all kinds, and particularly by their relationships with people.
Rohn Engh, publisher of The Photoletter, sent a questionnaire to 500 of his 16,000 subscribers. He wanted to know how many owned computers. Of the more than 150 respondents, 16 percent already have a computer. Another 40 percent intend to acquire one soon.
CP/M:“Operating system” or software (see below) approach to telling the computer how to take shortcuts in doing certain standard tasks. Disk drive: Accessory with magnetic head that reads and writes information on a magnetic disk of thin plastic.
Kodak jumps in with Kodavision series 2000, but others are quick to follow
From RCA, a small wonder and a big surprise
From Sanyo and Fisher, another approach to 8-mm
G.E. to go 8-mm video
Canon and Polaroid get into the videotape act
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Leendert Drukker
Michele A. Frank
Eastman Kodak has become the first company to demonstrate and commit itself to an 8-mm video camera/recorder system, called Kodavision series 2000. Actually, it includes two camcorders (video cameras plus recorders): the 2200 and its autofocusing sister model 2400. Each weighs 2.2 kg (about 5 lb.) and measures 364× 184× 187 mm.
MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATIONS: Name: Philips P518C Type: Automatic, shoe-mount with one auto-f-stop selection Guide number: 60 (ISO 100 in ft.) ISO range: 25-400 Power requirements: Two 1.5-volt AA alkaline batteries Recycling time(s): 9 sec manual or automatic
The P518C is the smallest of the four flash units covered here. Powered by two AA batteries, it offers manual and a single automatic f-stop (f/4 to a maximum autoworking distance of 15 ft. with ISO 100 film). On the back, the film-speed scale has settings of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400; unfortunately, it (or any of the other three units checked out in this report) has no provision for the new ISO 1,000 films.
MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS: Name: Philips P526TC Type: Automatic, energy-saving, shoe-mount with two auto-f-stop selections (f/4 and f/8 with ISO 100 film) Guide number: 85 (ISO 100 in ft.) ISO range: 25-400 Power requirements: Four 1.5-volt AA alkaline batteries
MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATIONS: Name: Philips P536 TCLS Type: Automatic, energy-saving, shoe-mount with second fill-flash head, five auto-f-stop selections (f/2.8 to f/11 with ISO 100 film) Guide number 118 (ISO 100 in ft.) ISO range: 25-400
MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATIONS: Name: Philips P546 GTCL·X Type: Automatic, energy-saving, dedicated handle-mount with five auto-f-stop selection (f/2.8 to f/11 with ISO 100 film) Guide number: 151 (ISO 100 in ft.) ISO range: 25-400
The Photographic Institute Spring 1984 Workshops, San Diego. Single-session evening classes and weekend workshops with instructors Larry Allan, Kimberly Bennett, Ed Booth, Walter Lilly, and Dale Scherfling. Schedule includes: An Easy Approach to Flash Photography, March 14, $25;
The 35-mm autofocus Canon Sure Shot Quartz Date has a built-in LCD databack that, when desired, encodes date or time a picture is taken, onto the corner of the film frame. On a 3× enlargement, data is less than ⅛ in. high. Its 3-volt lithium battery has a four-year (or longer) life. Other Sure Shot features are retained: automatic film load, advance, and rewind; built-in automatic flash; and a 38-mm f/2.8 lens. Price, $280. DIST.: Canon USA, Inc., One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, N.Y. 11042.
Canon USA, Inc.
Horseman 810
Calumet expands its view-camera line with a fully compatible, modular-design 8×10 model, the Horseman 810. It features the same “L” support system, 500to 700-mm extendable monorail, rack-and-pinion focusing, rise, lateral shift, focus retention, and on-axis swings and tilts as found on the Horseman 450. Complete details are available from: Calumet Photographic, Inc., 890 Supreme Dr., Bensenville, Il. 60106.
Canon USA, Inc.
Elmo Traveler super 8 sound camera
$349.95
Elmo Traveler super 8 sound camera features: 10.5→26.5 f/1.2 zoom lens, automatic exposure control, viewfinder showing zone-focus setting with f-stop, over/underexposure and record signals, and a weight of 2.3 lb. Price, $349.95. If purchased as Traveler Duo, with matching Elmo sound-record/playback projector, price is $709.95 for the pair; projector alone is $359.95. DIST.: Elmo Mfg. Corp., 709 New Hyde Park Rd., New Hyde Park, N.Y. 11040.
Canon USA, Inc.
Tele-Relay
$24.95
Tele-Relay is a wireless remote-control system for Polaroid SX-70 and 35-mm cameras equipped with either a built-in electric-release socket or an autowinder or motor drive equipped with such a jack. Mounted on the camera’s hot shoe and connected to the camera or winder, it acts as a receiver for a signal from an electronic-flash unit at distances up to 70 ft. (depending on flash output, line of sight, etc.). It is powered by a 9-volt battery (not included in price of $24.95). Connecting cords are $7.95 each. Available at Spiratone’s N.Y.C. stores, it can be ordered by mail from: Spiratone, Inc., 135-06 Northern Blvd., Flushing, N.Y. 11354.
Canon USA, Inc.
Canon FD 28→55-mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom lens
$200
Canon FD 28→55-mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom lens focuses down to 15¾ in., and to 11⅜ in. in macro mode (magnification factor at the 55-mm focal length is 0.23×). There are separate rings for focusing and zooming. The lens accepts 52mm filters, weighs less than eight oz., and is priced at $200. DIST.: Canon USA, Inc., One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, N.Y. 11042.
Canon USA, Inc.
28→80-mm macrozoom
Tamron Industries, Inc. advises readers that the 28→80-mm macrozoom and the 35→210-mm zoom lenses mentioned on p. 42, Dec. ’83 issue, are not supplied with a lens hood. We regret this inaccuracy.
Canon USA, Inc.
Bannister Light Mount
$18.95
Bannister Light Mount, a support for lights and umbrellas, adapts to all lightstands with top sections up to ½-in. width. Made of extruded aluminum (it weighs 5 oz.), it is stated to accept heavy electronic-flash units and adapt to a 45° angle. Price, including ¼×20 stud for pro units and shoe-mount adapters, is $18.95. Complete details available from: Bannister Enterprises, Inc., 9559 Las Tunas Dr., Temple City, Ca. 92780.
Canon USA, Inc.
S-V Kenlock FH-55 fluid-effect pan-head
S-V Kenlock FH-55 fluid-effect pan-head offers smooth operation, precise movements, and rightor left-hand operation, with bubble level and quick-release shoe. It accepts cameras to 6.6 lb., and weighs less than 2½ lb. MFR.: Smith-Victor Corp., Lake & Colfax Sts., Griffith, In. 46319.
Canon USA, Inc.
Hähnel Projector
$125
Hähnel Projector/Viewer accepts standard 2×2 slides. For tabletop viewing or slide sorting, it has a removable rearscreen hood with a 6¼×6¼-in. ground-glass. The use of straight 36or 50-slide Leitz-type, open-top trays permit slide rearrangement. For wall-projected images up to 40 in. sq., hood is removed. Illumination is supplied by a 20-watt halogen lamp. Weight is five lb. with optional Cordova carrying case. Price, $125; case, $29.95. DIST.: Argraph Corp., 111 Asia Place, Carlstadt, N.J. 07072.
Canon USA, Inc.
Portable Vue-All Han-D-Box
$17.95
Portable Vue-All Han-D-Box accepts 22 styles of Hang-Ups (archival polyethylene pages for slides, transparencies, disk film, negatives, and prints) in suspension. Box has recessed hinges, lock, and carrying handle. Recessed cover permits stacking. The pages are suspended with special plastic spines stated not to bend or break, and are punched to fit three-ring binders. Hand-D-Box is priced at $17.95; 100 pages and spines range from $31.95 to $50 (latter for top-load 35-mm slides). More details and price list available from: Vue-All, Inc., Box 1994, Ocala, Fl. 32678.
Canon USA, Inc.
Apex Protectorite case
$100
Apex Protectorite case is designed to hold two Kodak Carousel or Ektagraphic projectors, two sets of trays, and accessories. Constructed of heavy-duty plastic with two latches and a lock, it has lined compartments for the projectors, and measures 19×l2×l3½ in. Price, $100. MFR.: Apex Photo Products Corp., 334 Main St., Port Washington, N.Y., l1050.
Canon USA, Inc.
Farber Nudes
6.95
Farber Nudes, a 144-pg. special edition with 80 color and 84 b&w photographs by Robert Farber, is offered in a promotion by Agfa-Gevaert. This 9×12-in. book includes a technical section on the pictures. Price is 6.95 ppd with the purchase of either three boxes of processingincluded Agfachrome 64, 100, or 200 film (six end flaps required) or $30 worth of Agfa b&w products—film, paper, chemicals (end flaps from film or chemical boxes, labels from paper packages required). Send check, proofs of purchase, and sales receipt to: Special Edition Photo Book, Agfa-Gevaert, Promotional Distribution Center, Box #CN-01550, Trenton, N.J. 08650.
Canon USA, Inc.
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Your Programs from Kodak sale and loan catalog describing slide shows with cassettes and scripts, and 16-mm optical sound films on a wide variety of subjects, is available without charge. Write to: Photo Information Dept., Dept. 841-PF, Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y. 14650.
Canon USA, Inc.
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Jobo darkroom product line is described in a free, 24-pg. color catalog. Write to: Jobo Fototechnic, Inc., 416 W. Huron St., Ann Arbor, Mi. 48103.
Canon USA, Inc.
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Porter’s 112-pg. tabloid-size A-33 Photographic Supply Catalog is free upon request to: Porter’s Camera Store, Inc., P.O. Box 628, Cedar Falls, Ia. 50613; Canadian residents must include $2.
Canon USA, Inc.
PIC Pro Line
A brochure describing the PIC Pro Line of standard and air-cushioned light-stands is offered by American Photographic Instrument Co., Inc., Emerson, N.J. 07630.
Canon USA, Inc.
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3D Optics, P.O. Box 224, Braintree, Ma. 02184, offers a free brochure on its line of magnifiers, loupes, lightboxes, etc.
Canon USA, Inc.
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Free literature on the Darkstar darkroom program for many computer systems is available from F/22 Press, P.O. Box 141, Leonia, N.J. 07605.
Canon USA, Inc.
Kodacolor VR
Eastman Kodak has announced the availability of 35-mm Kodacolor VR 1000 film in 36-exposure rolls, as well as 12and 24-exposure lengths.
Canon USA, Inc.
ECCO cleaning flannel
$1.85
ECCO cleaning flannel is made of pure cotton. One side is treated to clean lenses, film, etc.; other side has firm backing for gripping. Moistened with ECCO 1500 (or other safe film cleaner), it fluffs up to provide lintfree cleaning. A roll 4½ in. wide and 11 ft. long is priced at $1.85, in poly packaging for storage. MFR.: Electro-Chemical Products Corp., 89 Walnut St., Montclair, N.J. 07042.
Canon USA, Inc.
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Marflex Service Corp., 3928 S. Broadway, Englewood, Co. 80110, is a new service branch for the repair of all Rollei, Honeywell, and Voigtländer products. Parts and accessories for Rollei and Honeywell equipment remain available from Marflex at 201 E. Main St., Little Falls, N.J. 07424-1794.
Canon USA, Inc.
Philips PNC-46 charger
$19.95
GMI Photographic, Inc., 1776 New Highway, Farmingdale, N.Y. 11735, introduces the Philips PNC-46 charger. It recharges up to four AA-size nicad cells in 15 hours. Voltage trickles down when batteries are charged. Price, $19.95.
Canon USA, Inc.
ProHarness
$9.95
ProHarness holds a camera close to the body when not in use and permits it to be raised to eye level when desired. It is worn inside or outside outer clothing, and one size fits all. Price, $9.95 ppd, from Marlab Specialties, 92 Mark Dr., San Rafael, Ca. 94903.
Canon USA, Inc.
Stars & Garters
$4.95
Stars & Garters is a collection of vintage American photo-postcards, whimsical and whacky. Suitable for mailing, a set of 20 tear-out cards is priced at $4.95 from: Steam Press, 16 Walden St., Cambridge, Ma. 02140.
Report from Europe: exhibits with an international flavor in London; landscape photographs in Gothenburg, Sweden
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Miriam Berkley
Being a tourist means seeing and doing new things in a place that isn’t home. Sometimes it seems almost obligatory to take in certain sights—in London, the famous Tower, the Houses of Parliament—and one feels apologetic if one hasn’t. On the other hand, there are places to discover on one’s own that, like the requisite tourist attractions, give a sense of a city’s past, present or, ideally, both.
A lightweight, inexpensive lens-reversing adapter takes you into the world of close-up photography
TOOLS & TECHNIQUES
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Cora Wright Kennedy
Did you ever wish you could jump right into the world of high-quality extreme close-up photography, without a macro lens or other bulky, expensive equipment? If this idea intrigues you, take a look at the two types of reverse adapters shown.
What is the most depth of field I can get with a 28-mm lens for my 35mm camera that stops down to f/22? The depth-of-field scale is no help. When I set the lens for maximum depth of field at f/22, I can't read the near depth because the aperture number falls off the scale.