APPARATUS. 13 



A focal-plane shutter is occasionally extremely 

 useful, but in a stand-camera is so seldom called 

 into operation that it must be accounted a luxury 

 rather than a necessity. Moreover, it somewhat 

 increases the bulk of the instrument, ever a thing 

 to be avoided. 



The "Rucksack" Carrier. 



Lightness, compactness and other points of 

 portability, however desirable, must be wholly 

 subordinate to strength and general usefulness. 

 But though we are not able materially to reduce 

 the weight of our camera in avoirdupois, we can, 

 at least, in its effect. For years I carried a heavy 

 case slung over one shoulder in the usual way until 

 by chance, when ski-ing, I slipped the case com- 

 plete into a capacious " rucksack," and since that 

 day it has always been so carried. I do not, of 

 course, suggest that a " rucksack " be purchased 

 in which to put the case, such would be clumsy 

 as well as unnecessary, the case itself should be 

 fitted with straps in " rucksack " fashion. I 

 do not know of such a one on the market, but any 

 saddler would fit one up in a few minutes two 

 straps, the broader the better, to encircle the case 

 one at each end, and then to pass upwards over 

 the shoulders and down under the arm-pits, 

 fastening to a ring or buckle on the bottom of the 



