Page 15 - 2022-03

AS IT WAS

In today’s world of digital cameras, both still
and video, we are used to just pressing the
button and getting near perfect results every
time.

Even back in the pre-digital days we became
used to auto exposure cameras and semi auto
exposure functions.
It is therefore interesting to look back some 70
years to when things were not quite so
straightforward.
This Pathescope exposure guide was enclosed
with every cassette of their colour film, it was a
(rough) guide on how to expose the film.
Prior to Pathescope’s introduction of their own
colour film (actually made by Ferrania in Italy),
exposure was not so critical, as Pathescope’s
black and white film processing used a form of
exposure compensation, but that was not
possible with the more exposure sensitive
colour film.

The chart at right gave a (very) rough guide to
the exposure settings for various weather
conditions. Also note the seasons referred to are
European, so the poor old 9.5mm users in
Antipodes were on their own.
Another thing to note is, the various formats
used to measure film speed. Five different
scales are shown here. Of those shown, only
ASA is still in common use (thankfully!). Even
Weston, makers of the well known Weston
Master exposure meters had their own system.
Left: A Weston Master exposure meter (not a
very common item among 9.5 users at the time!)

Right: A Pathé model “H” 9.5 mm motocamera -
typical of those in use at the time.

Written by Mike Trickett. With thanks
to Ian Fisher for the original copy of
the exposure sheet.

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