Yet another class of hand camera is that in which a focal plane shutter is used, for high speed exposures, as required in press work and sports photography. A typical folding focal plane camera is shown at H. In use, it is held up to the level of the eye, the subject being viewed through a direct-vision finder, consist ing either of a small concave lens with cross lines and sight, as illustrated, or a rectangular wire frame. There is a growing tendency among press workers to prefer the focal plane to the reflex camera on account of its lightness and lesser bulk, besides the fact that it is held at a more generally useful height. The reflex and twin-lens cameras have, however, the great advantage of giving a full-size image in the finder, which may be watched and focused and the key turned until the first number on the black paper appears at the small ruby window in the rear of the camera ; it is then known that the first film is in position for exposure. The remaining numbers are wound forward as required, and when the last exposure right up to the moment of exposure. These cameras form a class by themselves, and will receive separate treatment. (See also " Detec tive Camera," " Magazine Camera," " Pocket Camera," " Reflex Camera," " Twin-lens Camera," etc.) It considerably enlarges the scope of the photographer's work to become expert in the use of the hand camera. But the hand-camera worker matures only with time, patience, prac tice and experience. Moreover, there are special considerations to be taken into account before it is possible to do consistently good work with a camera that not only has to be used in the hand, but has to be brought into operation with trying rapidity. One of the most important points is familiarity with the camera itself. It should be known and understood down to its smallest detail. Every operation involved in making an exposure and changing the plate or film must be so familiar that it can be performed rapidly and almost mechanically. There must be practically no risk of bungling or blundering.
The use of a reflex camera removes any doubt as to what is sharply focused and what is in cluded on the plate. With other patterns it is necessary to learn to estimate distances with approximate accuracy. It is also useful to know the depth of focus at different distances and with different lens apertures ; and to know the distance (with the particular lens in use) at which a full-length figure will come the right size on the plate. When there is any uncer tainty as to the precise distance of the object to be focused, it is well to err on the near side, as the depth of focus is always greater on the farther side than on the nearer side of the point focused upon.
In the absence of a full-sized finder it is advisable to have the small finders as accurate as possible. In practice it is better that they should show rather less than is actually included on the plate. When the plate used is a very small one it is more than ever necessary that the subject should be accurately placed upon it, as there is no room to be wasted. Many failures
result in the use of small cameras from this cause, particularly when reliance is placed on finders so minute as to be worse than useless. It is generally worth while to fit such small cameras with a removable finder that will show on a reasonably large scale just what will appear on the plate.
It is also of vital importance to be able to hold the camera level and steady during expos ure. The duration of exposure that can be given with safety depends largely on the in dividual, but also to a great extent on the type of camera in use and on the position in which it is held. A large, heavy camera can generally be held steadier than a small, light one ; and it is safer to hold the camera pressed against the body than at arm's length or at eye-level. The type of shutter and its smoothness of working must also be considered a factor. When all conditions are favourable, an exposure of a full second should be safely attainable. Another point that should be constantly borne in mind is that proper exposure is necessary. It may be thought that such a consideration does not apply particularly to hand-camera work. But, un fortunately, there is too often an idea that with a hand camera there is some magic property enabling much shorter exposures to be given than if the same camera happened to be set upon a tripod. Naturally, the exposures given with a hand camera are more or less rapid, but they are only properly effective when the con ditions obtaining demand just those exposures. An exposure-meter, or some similar guide, is every whit as essential in work with the hand camera as with the stand camera. A further aid to successful hand - camera work is the cultivation of a quick eye. This in itself is but small gain without the addition of dexterity in manipulation. It is often imperative that the camera shall be used quite unobtrusively, and rapidity and certainty of working thus become a valuable asset.
The results obtained with a hand camera are largely employed for the production of either lantern slides or enlargements. Hence it be hoves the hand-camera worker to aim at the most perfect technical excellence to which he can attain. He should keep his apparatus free from dust, pay the most extreme attention to exposure and development, and strive to pro duce a spotlessly perfect negative from every plate or film exposed. He should absolutely rid his mind of any idea that good work with a hand camera can be obtained in a haphazard and slipshod manner. All the judgment, con sideration; and care that are devoted to work with the stand camera must equally be given to hand-camera work ; and in addition further attention must be paid to the added difficulties arising from the often rapid use of a camera held in the hand. Only so can a high standard of excellence be achieved. W. L. F. W.