54 
HINTS TO TRAVELLERS. 
vertical axis through several degrees in each direction away from the 
normal. There are now T many good camera-makers in London; among 
the best may be named Mr. Meagher, of 21, Southampton Row, Ross, of 
Rond Street, and Mr. Hare, of 26, Calthorpe Street, Gray’s Inn Road. 
The essential points required in a camera for travelling are lightness 
combined with strength, rigidity when extended for use, and absence of 
loose parts and screws. "When the form of camera allows it, the tripod 
head is better dispensed with, and a turn-table let into the base board. 
If this be not the case, have all screws in duplicate. A convenient screw 
is made for fixing the camera to the stand when the tripod head and 
camera are not united. The thread of the tripocl-screw is turned 
off close to the shoulder, so that the screw revolves in the aperture in the 
head of the stand, and need never be withdrawn. A second focussing- 
screen should also be taken, or some fine emery with which to obscure a 
glass plate in case of breakage. 
Hand-cameras .—It is necessary to supplement the note on hand- 
cameras, as they are now extensively used, and excellent work done with 
them. Hand-cameras are designed to carry a dozen or more plates or 
films in flat sheets or in spools, so arranged inside the camera as to> 
be changed after each exposure by simply turning a milled head, or 
moving a lever. The Key camera made by the Platinotype Company is 
certainly one of the best; it is fitted with metal dark slides for carrying 
plates or films, and is well spoken of by Sir Martin Conway. It may be 
had either to carry plates or flat films. These metal slides are light, not 
easily damaged, and offer greater security against damp than an ordinary 
hand-camera where slides are not used. Where the film takes the form of 
a roll, the Luzo hand-camera is excellent, but rolled films are not recom¬ 
mended for travellers’ use in hot and humid climates. Sir Martin 
Conway’s experience of the Key camera for work in high mountain ranges 
proves its capabilities for the general work of exploration. He says: “ A 
traveller who carries glass plates and flat films will probably bring 
home a larger percentage of good negatives from a long mountain journey 
than one who relies upon spools of films.” There can be no question 
about the force and accuracy of this statement. My own experience goes 
to prove that a camera arranged for glass plates and flat films is best. 
There is a certain facility in using rolled films, but the risk of failure is 
great. The Key camera should be fitted with a rising front for taking 
