Photography in the Studio and in the Field / A Practical Manual Designed as a Companion Alike to the Professional and the Amateur Photographer

by Edward M. Estabrooke

The paper is fastened to the winding reel by a metallic clamp, which is pivoted to the ends of the winding reel. Now see that the film occupies a central position across the table and over the guide rolls, and then take up the slack by means of the milled head tension screw or chuck at one end of the reel. The pawls should now be adjusted on the milled heads of the chucks, the cover replaced and fastened by raising the loops or clamps over the pins in the side of the cover, and you are ready for work.

For the purpose of indicating plainly where the first exposure will be, insert the key and screw it home then turn it slowly until you hear a sharp click, then pull out the slide and draw a pencil across the film at each end of the holder, then return the slide.

When about to make another exposure, note the position of the indicator at the right end of the holder, then turn the key slowly; the proper length will be p186 indicated both by the sound of the sharp click within and by the position of the indicator on the outside of the holder. At every turn of the guide-roll the paper is punctured by a sharp point which occurs simultaneously with the sound of the click. For the smaller sizes, three clicks and three punctures will surely indicate that the proper length of paper has been replaced on the exposing table. For the medium sizes four clicks and punctures are required. And for the larger sizes, as many as six or eight may be necessary. The proper information is given with the holder.

FIG. 6.

When the exposures are made, and it is desired to remove the paper from the winding reel and cut it for development, proceed as before, and remove the cover from the holder; then, with a sharp knife-blade, cut the paper, as shown in Fig. 6, by drawing the blade over the paper and in the tin-lined groove in the guide-roll Then release the spring pawl at the reel end and p187 draw the paper from the reel across the table, then cut by measurement, or by counting the punctures.

The directions for developing and preparing the films for printing accompany each package of the paper.

THE ROCHE FILM.

The year 1885 has been remarkable for the great importance of the numerous improvements in photographic processes that have been brought before the profession, and for the great impetus thereby given to the extension of the uses of the art.

The substitution of paper for glass as a vehicle for sustaining the sensitive film has long been an aspiration of the progressive photographer; and this year has witnessed the perfection of at least two paper film processes that may be said to be perfect.