322 



RECREATION. 



birds, used stop 128 and, set shutter on time. 

 The bird came on the nest, as soon as I had 

 things fixed, but flew when shutter opened. 

 I quickly closed the shutter and, the next 

 time, let the bird sit 20 minutes before I 

 pressed the bulb. That time she stayed. I 

 exposed 25 seconds and secured an ex- 

 cellent negative. 



What we most need is an absolutely 

 noiseless shutter ; one that can be sprung 

 with a thread if necessary. We also need a 

 tripod that can be extended at least 12 

 feet. 



W. D. Gay, Essex, la. 



SNAP SHOTS. 

 I use disco gelatine paper, and have been 

 washing my prints in water from a well. 

 The results were satisfactory, and I no- 

 ticed that the first few changes of water 

 always became milky in appearance. Re- 

 cently the well failed and I have since used 

 hydrant water. I have tried it both boiled 

 and distilled, but in neither case does it 

 discolor when prints are washed in it. The 

 toning bath, however, turns milky, which it 

 did not do when well water was used. Will 

 these later prints be as permanent as the 

 others ? A local professional and an editor 

 of a photographic journal, whom I consult- 

 ed, say they will be as permanent; but a 

 recent article by a professional contravenes 

 their opinion. 



J. R. H., Johnstown, Pa. 



ANSWER. 



Use distilled water and you will be on the 

 safe side. Your professional friend and 

 the editor of the journal were correct. — 

 Editor. 



What is the best coating or sizing pre- 

 paration for a cloth bellows that is worn 

 enough to admit light? 



F. H. Evans, Kalamazoo, Mich. 



ANSWER. 



Pegamoid or any of the opaque water- 

 proof varnishes might be tried, but would 

 certainly crack in a short time. In emer- 

 gency, Johnson's adhesive plaster can be 

 used to advantage on the broken places. 

 Pliable black cloth, not too heavy and 

 properly cut, can be glued over the broken 

 places with more or less satisfactory re- 

 sults. Thin leather can be used for same 

 purpose. It would probably save time and 

 monev to get a new bellows. — Editor. 



Can you give me a formula for reducing 

 negatives? I have had lots of trouble get- 

 ting negatives thin enough to print from. I 

 leave them in the sun a whole day. 



A. V. Woodcock, Hustontown, Pa. 



To reduce: Soak well half an hour in 

 cold water. Then place negative in a 10 

 per cent, solution of red prussiate of pot- 

 ash, rocking the tray during the reduction. 

 Examine the negative every few moments 

 to watch its progress. When sufficiently 

 reduced, wash 15 minutes. — Editor. 



For a combined hydroquinone metol de- 

 veloper, take — • 



Metol . 50 grains 



Hydroquinone .......... 50 " 



Sulphite of soda 11 drams 



Soda carbonate 9 " 



Potassium bromide 16 grains 



Water 30^ ounces 



The metol must be thoroughly dissolved 

 before the soda carbonate is added. The 

 developer works quickly. — The Photo- 

 American. 



An interesting bath for producing warm 

 tones on bromide paper is described in Der 

 Amateur Photograph. First bleach , the 

 print in a solution of potassium bichromate 

 150 grains ; hydrochloric acid 150 minims; 

 water 15 ounces. Then soak in a bath of 

 ordinary alum until the yellow color is re- 

 moved, wash well, and treat with a 10 per 

 cent, solution of ammonium sulphide till 

 sufficiently dark. Wash well. 



I have been taking Recreation a year 

 and desire to express my appreciation of 

 the many good things I find in it each 

 month. I take 2 magazines devoted to pho- 

 tography exclusively, yet in the small space 

 you devote to that subject I have found 

 more of value than in the other 2 publica- 

 tions. 



J. B. Burnley, Mexico, N. Y. 



A professional photographer and dealer 

 in cameras here says he would use a fixed 

 focus lens in his studio if he could find 

 one suitable. He claims they will do better 

 and faster work than either a single or 

 double rectilinear. Do you think he is 

 right ? 



A. J. Perrine, Indianola, Ind. 



I advise Ed. Dunn, of Iowa Falls, la., 

 to get a $20 4x5 Eastman plate and film 

 camera. Both plates and films are handy 

 to use at times. He can do better for 

 $20 in any 4x5. A 5 x 7 is still better. 

 Chas. Vitous, East Pittsburg, Pa. 



ANSWER. 



Do not carry negatives so far in the de- 

 velopment. 



I agree with Charles Metz that it would 



be well to have a Recreation camera club. 



I know many camera owners and I think 



all would like to join a club of that kind. 



W. O. Hall, Kittery Point, Me. 



