88 Photography for the Sportsman Naturalist 



that are as strongly made as possible, regardless 

 of the weight, and above all do not buy any pat- 

 tern that does not allow of the plate being in- 

 serted and removed with the greatest ease. It 

 will often be found necessary to change plates in 

 the dark, in any closet or other place that is light- 

 tight, and sometimes even in the open, after dark, 

 or inside a closed tent or even a sleeping bag. 

 This is frequently a test of one's patience under 

 the best conditions, and if the plates insist on 

 sticking in the plate-holders it increases the 

 difficulties. At least one dozen plate-holders 

 should be purchased, for one should carry not 

 less than two dozen plates on a day's photograph- 

 ing trip. 



Magazine plate-holders are useful, inasmuch as 

 they allow one to carry more plates in less 

 space, and the manipulation of them is easier and 

 quicker than when plate-holders are used. I do 

 not unreservedly recommend them, however, as 

 I think they are still far from being perfected. 

 They are too easily gotten out of order and the 

 plates stick at just the critical moment; or else 

 a small hole or break appears, usually in the 

 leather top, of which we know nothing and which 

 will admit enough light to ruin a dozen plates 

 before we discover the damage that is being done. 

 Therefore I always stick to the old-fashioned 

 plate-holders, which, while being somewhat cum- 



