One of the major photographic events kicking off the 1986 season is Robert Frank’s big retrospective exhibition at Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts. In this issue we’re publishing a portfolio of his work spanning several decades, plus a famous Frank image on our cover.
This month, the New York Flower Show makes its somewhat annual appearance. (It opened in New York in 1900 and was a perennial until the '60s. It resumed in 1984. Sponsored by the Horticultural Society of New York, this event takes place on Manhattan's Pier 90, located at West 55th Street.
I might not have had lights or TV, but I could still make a color print
Printing with Daylab—the basic steps
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Larry Sribnick
On September 27, 1985, Hurricane Gloria hit Long Island, N.Y., leaving me without electricity for one week. Although I still had water, no electricity meant no darkroom. Or did it? I remembered that the new Daylab 300 self-contained darkroom, enlarger, and print processor operates on 12 volts as well as 117 volts.
Have fun combining photos with paintings, sculptures, or other photos
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Ralph M. Hattersley
One of the best places to gather subjects for multiple-image photographs is in an art museum. The idea is to combine your photographs with paintings and sculptures in the form of photographic montages. The technique employs intentional double exposures.
Some of the world’s best gather in Japan for a giant shootout. With a nation watching, they have only 24 hours to produce
Eddie Adams
Aaron Chang
James Nachtwey
Diego Goldberg
Mark S. Wexler
Gerd Ludwig
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Professional photographers learn to operate under pressure. Their time costs clients money, so there is little tolerance for photographers who dally over equipment or can’t make up their mind about a shot. The pro photographer's vision and direction must always be clear and decisive.
• Type of camera Integral motor 35-mm SLR (single-lens-reflex). • Exposure system Three programmed AE (auto-exposure) modes: dual-program (normal and high-speed), and aperture-priority. Metered-manual. Film-speed range: ISO 25 to 400 for DX-coded film; ISO 12 to 3,200 for non-DX-coded film.
The Nikon N2000 offers the options and advantages of a 35-mm SLR camera in an easy-to-use form. The camera has three auto-exposure modes plus metered-manual. The simplest operation is offered by the “P” (programmed) mode, wherein the camera makes all the shutter-speed and f-stop decisions.
Measurements are taken at 11 light levels, from very dim (EV 5 at ISO 100) to very bright (EV 15 at ISO 100). Results shown are for standard program mode. Other AE modes gave similar results; manual mode was within the strict ANSI standards in all tests.
New SLRs tend to show many signs of their heritage, with the wind system taken from one previous model, the mirror system from another, and so forth. But the Nikon N2000 breaks away from this pattern. This camera is a truly new effort in many ways.
One of the best remedies for getting out of a photographic rut is to give yourself a theme to shoot. One that offers seemingly endless possibilities is reflections. On car bumpers, office windows, sunglasses, faucet handles, lakes, coffee mugs, and mirrored walls, reflections abound.
The Olympus Infinity is a totally automatic camera that handles several functions in new and unusual ways. For example, two cells below the lens measure the light falling on the subject. One reads the entire scene, the other a small central area, which is approximately indicated by the autofocus brackets in the viewfinder.
The lightweight, compact Linhof Technikardan offers fast setup and full flexibility
Simple setup
It stoops to conquer
How about an even smaller one?
Child's play
Swing/shift
High rise
Back focus
Ultimate acrobat
An easier-to-use shutter
A simple guide to view-camera movements
View-camera gymnastics
Direct action
Smoother moves
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Bob Schwalberg
Until now, the monorail view camera has been a masterpiece of mechanical and optical perfection dedicated to producing the world’s dullest photographs. No other camera style can match the monorail’s twisting, tilting, shifting gymnastics, or rival the limitless versatility of its modular construction.
The pictures of one of the masters of contemporary photography go on the road again and are bound to leave controversy and acclaim in their wake
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Anne W. Tucker
Robert Frank is most famous for his book, The Americans, consisting of 83 gritty black-and-white photographs taken 30 years ago and a film made four years later that were both acclaimed and condemned by critics, curators, and his fellow photographers.
To be your creative best, observe video's “rules” for composing a scene and placing the camera
Creative Angles and Trick Shots
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Peter Utz
True or false: A good photographer makes a good videographer. Answer: Half true, but it was a trick question. About half the rules that a photographer learns about camera angles and picture composition can apply directly to video. But video is fuzzier, it moves, and it’s always displayed in a 3:4-shaped box.
“Videomovies” is an increasingly popular term. It no longer refers exclusively to motion pictures transferred to videotape, but now includes the images that home users can make with a video camera. Until very recently, video equipment has been somewhat cumbersome, with bulky recorders attached to cameras by unwieldy electronic umbilical cords.
This one-touch zoom lens is composed of 15 elements, all air-spaced except for one cemented pair. The elements are grouped into four sections; the front section is positive, the next is negative, and the last two are positive. The first and last sections move together during the zooming operation.
Chicago exhibits indicate photography is as diverse and striking as the city’s architecture
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Miriam Berkley
Chicago is a generous city for those wanting either to create or to view photographs. Its photogenic character owes much to a plethora of architectural styles, as well as to a population unusually heterogeneous in terms of race, ethnicity, age, and wealth.
The trauma of losing a camera bag, and what you can do to avoid it
BOOKS IN BRIEF
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Carl Purcell
The nightmare of any photographer on an extended journey is losing his camera bag. Even worse is losing the exposed film from that once-in-a-lifetime trip. This is exactly what happened to me recently in England at Heathrow airport. I had been in East Africa for three weeks, and in Greece for 10 days; now I was en route to Spain.
Six years, 600 interviews, 1,600 pages— and it's just the start of a massive research database on photographers
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Kenneth Poli
Those of us who are “going to get organized next week” usually admire (and secretly envy) those who did so last week. A couple who seem to have been born organized—Michele and Michel Auer—have just produced what may be the world's largest reference book about photographers.
What you can do to get better color prints from your photofinishing lab
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Norman Rothschild
Don’t expect that because color-negative film has more exposure latitude than color-slide film, any exposure you use will give good results. It's also not true that labs can always make perfect color prints with negatives that were shot with the wrong filters or wrong lighting.
Push-button depth-of-field control, camera-tilt indicators, and image-motion detectors may be closer than you think
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Norman Goldberg
In the continuing evolution of the 35-mm SLR, it may seem that automation has solved all photographic difficulties. Loading film and setting its correct speed are no longer annoying tasks in many new models. Focus automation is nearly standard on non-SLR 35-mm cameras, and the success of Minolta’s Maxxum may soon lead to autofocus as standard on many other SLRs.
Magnify your seeing to save time and money. Consider these small tools from Cora's collection
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Cora Wright Kennedy
I don't want to rattle the chair you are sitting in, but did it ever occur to you that you could save considerable money and time by careful use of one or more suitable magnifiers? For example, just by examining your contact sheets with a moderate-power magnifier (preferably in the 3-6X range), you can zero-in fast on the frames you want to print.
Wilderness Photography/Trinity Alps Workshops: Spring Wildflowers, Cuyama Valley. Mary Ellen Schultz guides this nature-photography exploration, March 25-28; $125. Group limited to 12 persons. Contact: Mary Ellen Schultz, 216 Marquis P1., Santa Maria, Ca.
Seize the indecisive moment: life provides us with so many of them!
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Howard Chapnick
I am compulsive about collecting photographic books. They range from little jewels like English Sunrise to oversize coffee-table retrospectives. Although they've never been evaluated for their monetary worth, these books are visual treasures to be enjoyed, with new revelations to be discovered when looking through them for the second, third, and fourth time.
Hervic's Ambassador I Camera Gadget Bag is constructed of Duralin, a natural fiber treated for water-repellency and wear and tear resistance. Double zipper with leather pull-tabs allows access, with additional Derlain quick-release fasteners for extra security. Only six inches deep when carried in the closed position, the fully opened bag allows easy access to all compartments, which have closed-cell lining for impact protection. The entire interior can be removed to accommodate various compartment configurations. Two side pockets have full-length zippers. Available with a lifetime warranty, they come in black, blue, or gray. The Ambassador I lists for $69.95, and is distributed by Hervic Corp., P.O. Box 7800, Van Nuys, Ca. 91406.
Hervic Corp.
Agfachrome
$15.90
Agfa-Gevaert offers Agfachrome and Agfacolor films in sheet and bulk form. Agfachrome, which is fully compatible with standard E-6 processing, is available in 10-sheet packages in 4×5 and 8×10 sizes. In the 4×5 size, ISO 50 lists for $15.90; ISO 100 for $16.50. In the 8×10 size, Agfachrome ISO 50 lists for $54.65; ISO 100 for $62. Agfacolor XRS, ISO 100, is available in 4×5 and 8×10 (10-sheet packages; 4×5 lists for $14.80 and 8×10 for $55.40.) Bulk quantities of 30-meter lengths are now available for 35-mm users of both Agfacolor (ISO 100, $51.20) and Agfachrome (ISO 50, $62.40; ISO 100, $64.91; ISO 200, $69.50.) Information: Consumer & Professional Div., Agfa-Gevaert, 275 North St., Teterboro, N.J. 07608.
Hervic Corp.
Video and Film Checker
$6.95
The Video and Film Checker ($6.95 plus shipping) is a test chart with lens sharpness targets and color swatches for checking video and film cameras. The checker can be used for setting white balance on video cameras and for adjusting color on video monitors and TV sets to which the vidcam is attached. It can also serve as a reference for comparing film, lighting, and filter effects with film. The chart is 11×14 in. and comes with a clear vinyl slipcover and extra set of color swatches. For more information, and a free copy of the Porter Photo and Video Catalog, write: Porter's Camera Store, Inc., Box 628, Cedar Falls, la. 50613.
Hervic Corp.
The Beacon 400
$199.95
The Beacon 400 ($199.95) will operate your camera's motor drive or autowinder by wireless remote control. It will also trigger any portable flash unit, or studio strobe unit without synch cords between the power pack and camera. By placing the transmitter on the camera's accessory shoe and connecting the adapter cord to the camera's synch outlet, anything connected to the receiver can be activated. Additional receivers are available ($129.95), which makes it possible to selectively activate all or any individual motor or flash remotely with a single transmitter. Information from GMI Photographic Inc., 1776 New Highway, Farmingdale, N.Y. 11735
Hervic Corp.
Kaiser Copy Stands
Kaiser Copy Stands are available in three models, with reversible columns for copying off the floor and a 60-in. column and a wall mount as accessories. Each stand has a selflocking mechanism and a 360-degree revolving head. Baseboards are laminated on six sides with a grid-pattern top surface. Three different lighting systems are offered with the stands, all of which mount to the outer rear corners of the baseboard with the Universal Clamp Mount. Among accessories for the Copy Stand/Color Duplicator System are a zoom macro tube for enlarging lenses, a spirit level, a universal graduated mechanical stage for precise camera positioning, and a remote electric release for motor-drive cameras. Price and information on various system configurations from: HP Marketing Corp., 216 Little Falls Rd., Cedar Grove, N.J. 07009.
Hervic Corp.
Safety-Goggle Cleaning Pads
$13
Individually wrapped and sealed, Safety-Goggle Cleaning Pads are premoistened with a blend of isopropyl alcohol, ammonia, glycol ether, and water. They’re stated to be lint-free and safe for use on camera lenses, optical prisms, front-surface mirrors, and eyeglasses. An 80-pad box costs $13. A free sample and literature are available upon request to: The Texwipe Co., P.O. Box 308, Upper Saddle River, N.J. 07458.
Hervic Corp.
Auxiliary conversion lenses
$109.95
Auxiliary conversion lenses for telephoto and wide-angle videography are being offered to users of the Olympus VX-402 Camcorder. The Olympus VF-KL4 Tele Conversion Lens ($109.95) increases the telephoto capabilities of the lens from 54-mm to 81-mm, a gain of 50 percent. The Olympus VF-KL5 ($109.95) opens up wide-angle coverage by 30 percent. The conversion lenses are made to fit on all video cameras with 49-mm lens mounts. Autofocusing cameras must be focused manually when conversion lenses are used.
Hervic Corp.
VF-KV2 AV Input Adaptor
$49.95
The VF-KV2 AV Input Adaptor from Olympus ($49.95) developed for use with the Olympus VX-402 Camcorder, now allows users to record directly from other video sources having AV outputs. This includes VHS, Beta, 8-mm, and videodisk machines, television sets, and personal computers, and video games. Further information on lenses and adapter can be had from Olympus Corp., Crossways Park, Woodbury, N. Y. 11797.
Hervic Corp.
Coastar Futura X-140 Camcorder Case
$199
The Coastar Futura X-140 Camcorder Case ($199.) has an aluminum shell treated with a heat-tempered anodized process, and an interior with dense rubber lining and adjustable partitions. Tongue and grooved lids are matched in tandem for dust-and moisture-proof protection. Inside dimensions are 19x11x7 in.; the case is designed to hold all camcorders (VHS or 8-mm) plus accessories.
Hervic Corp.
VTR-F2 Fluid Head Video Tripod
$169.95
The VTR-F2 Fluid Head Video Tripod from Coastar ($169.95) features an oilfilled Panhead for "fluid action" video work. Tension on the action can be adjusted for different shooting applications, and a quick-release plate allows for handy off-and-on of the camera equipment. The tripod itself opens to 62 inches, and has large 27.5-mm channel legs and a tri-brace for stability. Tripod and case are available at Coast dealers, or information from Coast Mfg. Co., Inc., 118 Pearl St., Mount Vernon, N.Y. 10550.
Hervic Corp.
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The Zone VI Studios Inc. catalog for 1985-1986 lists 4x5 field cameras, tripods, modified meters and enlargers, and selected darkroom aids. Fine-art printing enthusiasts will especially enjoy the product selection and comments. Write: Zone VI Studios, Inc., Newfane, Vt. 05345.
Hervic Corp.
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For those with a flair for repair (camera, that is), Ed Romney offers a free 12-page catalog of items of interest to the camera-repair person. Included are repair manuals, special tools, lubricants, and cements. Order from: Romney, Box 5247K, Spartanburg, S.C. 29304.
I was overjoyed to read the article in your April 1985 issue on lens extenders. But where can I get a 2X extender for my old Exakta VX 500 SLR 35? I have not been able to buy it in my one-camera-store town. F. Wehmann, Newton, N.J. One source we know of is Seymour's Exakta Corp., 47 Seventh Ave., New York, N. Y 10011.