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EXPERIENCES WITH THE NEW V.F. FILM

I'm one of that band of nine-fivers which and some telephoto pictures with lens at
had long awaited a camera film that would f4 (full open).
give us a picture on the "hopeless" days. With the kindly aid of •Pathescope Ltd.
Then it arrived. the processed film was back in 3 days, and
Two of my successes with it-a wedding from it I learned tha '(I) full stage was
and a stage show - were effected under best taken from the rear of the circle; (2)
very different and adverse conditions. The I could certainly stop down to f2.8 for
possibilities in the new stock were outstand- scenes lit in white or light colour; (3) other
ingly shown; each filmed event has given less-well-lighted scenes (at the cost of a
delight to many people. little denseness) could be improved by a
measure of stopping-down; ( 4) contra sty
The wedding was in a charming North-
umberland village and the weather typical subjects such as spotlit dancers, and grand
of our last so-called Summer. The rain and pianos and men's dress suits against a light
heavily ov·ercest sky seemed to be unper- backcloth, were very attractive; and ( 5)
ceived by the radiant bride, but my telephoto shots under white floods were
exposure meter was in no state of happy startling and realistic, and could even bear
abandon about the photographic outlook. being stopped down slightly from f4.
However, it roused itself to the extent of At a second visit I merely studied the
indicating f5 if I used the 32° Sch. V.F. Revue and at a third, guided by a schedule
film. of shots giving cues, f-values and length
in seconds, I exposed two 30 ft. chargers.
I ran off I Oft. or so of the happy cou pie
emerging from the church and la local Concentrated work, I can tell you!
custom much appreciated by the younger The finished 95 ft. film begins with title
generation) "hoying oot the happenies". {programme cover). a couple of newspaper
The reception took place in a marquee. "previews", and the neon-lit theatre exter-
Here the meter hardly stirred, but I us·ed ior. Then the curtains swing open; each
the rest of the charger in general pictures "act" is illustrated by at least one shot, all
at fl.9. the experimental lengths except one being
grafted-on; and at last there is the final
In the event, the church exterior shots
were brilliant black-and-whites; the indoor "curtain". The film received a rapturous
pictures were a little over-exposed-! could "O.K." at the Christmas Party of the Rag
have stopped-down on account of the pre- Revue company.
dominantly white surroundings. On the This experience has taught me to obtain
whole, a good start-off with the new film ! acquaintanceship with the show, trial shots,
full-stage pictures interspersed with close-
In 1949 I had taken some rather dense
but encouraging shots of the Rag Revue ups (by telephoto lens or from a front.
produced by students o£ King's College seat). and assurance as to distance. ln-
(University of Durham) at the Palace cid.entally, no part of a professional show
Theatre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne - using S.S. should be photographed without permiss-
Pen at 2/ 3 speed, stop f 1.9. Egged on by ion; but I have found that once one's
my two daughter-artistes (and now armed, amateur status has been made clear this
of course, with the speedier film) I decJded has not often been refused and special
to tackle the latest Rag Revue on a more facilities have even, on occasion, been given.
ambitious scale. (I should explain here Such earlier stage shots were, like my
that the show is an annual event, twice- Rag Revue pictures of 1949, wij'h S.S. Pan
nightly for a week.) run slow at f 1.9. But now we have the new
V.F. film and there's no doubt it. deserves
Specially admitted to the dress 1'6hearsel,
I ran off a charger - taking shots under "a big hand".
various lighting effects with lens set at fl.9 G. E. MOORE.
YOUR FILM
As the summer approaches our Laboratory Staff, not as biCI as we would
like to see it, prepare for the "big rush", but despite herculean efforts on their
part it is not always possible to maintain a 7 day service.
If then, in your anxiety to screen your recently taken film you are prompted
to seek information as to its whereabouts, please firstly give consideration to
this notice before making your enquiries and be assured that every endeavour
will be made to return your film as soon as possible.
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