86 RECREATION 
chased? You also speak of the Wynne metre. 
I would like to know, also, where this may be 
purchased and what it costs. In regard to a ray _ 
screen, I would like a little enlightenment. You 
warn amateurs against getting too strong a 
screen for their cameras. Would you kindly tell 
me the make and what grade or number that 
would give the best results in general amateur 
work; also where it can be purchased ?”’ 
All the articles can be purchased from any 
dealers in photographic goods, of whom there 
are hundreds in New York who will be pleased 
to quote prices. For the tank development of 
film we know of but one practical device, the 
kodak tank. For plates, there is no necessity of 
purchasing a specially constructed tank. A well 
diluted developer in an ordinary tray will do the 
same work, and if desired a tray large enough 
to develop several plates at once can be used. A 
cover can easily be made to fit over the develop- 
ing tray, or a larger tray can be inverted over it 
to exclude all light. Concerning the Wynne 
metre, we have made inquiries among some of 
its users, without finding one who is not enthusi- 
astic over it. But were it not for the latitude in 
plates and film, no exposure metre would be 
serviceable. ‘The ray filter is a valuable acces- 
sory, but we earnestly advise the amateur to let 
the ray filter alone until he is thoroughly pro- 
ficient in the use of his camera without it. 
From Smithport, Pa., comes another inquiry 
about an exposure metre, and the following 
complaint about a reputed high-grade lens 
recently purchased. ‘‘When I have the centre 
of a view focused sharp on the ground glass, the 
sides are out of focus, and when IJ stop the lens 
down everything goes out of focus. What 
would you advise me to do?” 
Return the lens to the party from whom it 
was purchased with the request that either a 
good lens be sent in its place or that your money 
be refunded without delay. With a reputable 
dealer, there will be no trouble, and even a lens 
shark, rather than return the money, may after 
a series of excuses and delays send a good 
article. We have some authentic information 
concerning fake lens schemes, and will be 
pleased to receive full particulars from any of 
our readers who have been victimized. 
Another letter, from Dixon, Cal., referring to 
an article in the April number, asks for further 
light on the tank development, and the glycin 
developer. The correspondent suggests also 
that writers on photographic topics be more 
explicit, so that the amateur will the more 
readily understand. We thank him for this 
suggestion and will further say that, since the 
publication of the article to which he refers, 
there has been a change in the management of 
this department. and with it, very naturally, 
there are changes of opinion in reference to 
many matters, one of these being the subject of 
development. It has been our opportunity to 
test and compare almost every developer on the 
market, to ascertain which is best for specific 
lines of work, and we found pyro superior to all 
others for negative work. We would refer our 
correspondents to the article on developers and 
development in this number and to the one on 
exposure in the June number. 
It is desired that this department shall be a 
helpful medium for the amateur in all branches 
of photographic work. To this end, we invite 
all amateur photographers to ask freely for what 
they would like to know, about the branches of 
the work which interest them most, to relate 
their troubles, their failures. Write us what 
you have accomplished, how youdo your work, 
the way you overcome difficulties. 

To Preserve Pyro Developer 
One objection often made to the use of pyro 
is its tendency to decompose rapidly in solu- 
tion. But by the following method we have a 
pyro solution on hand which, after two years, 
is as clear as the day it was made. The stock 
solution was made as usual and then poured 
into two-ounce bottles, filling each bottle to 
the brim and corking it tightly. As no air can 
get to the solution it will keep for a long period, 
possibly indefinitely. As the solution is used, 
pour the balance which remains into a smaller 
bottle and, if necessary, add water to fill the 
bottle. Then cork it. 

Be Independent 
Photography has no mysteries. Its processes 
are not so complex that any one with energy 
and an ordinary amount of persistence can 
fail to master them. But the present tendency 
is to so educate the amateur that he shall be 
dependent on mechanical devices, proprietary 
preparations, and become mechanical, rather 
than to train him so that he shall acquire ac- 
curacy of judgment, compound his chemicals, 
use his own brains, and become a skilful worker. 
Every amateur can be more than a mere ma- 
chine controlled by another’s will. There is no 
trouble he cannot overcome, no obstruction 
he cannot dig through. Without exposure 
tables, metres, ready-made powders and 
solutions, he can acquire the ability to accom- 
plish all things, with reasonable accuracy, 
from exposure to the finished print. Seek first to 
attain the mastery so that with confidence in 
your own judgment you can, when necessary, 
be independent of help. 

