Film cameras
POCKET 29 - 31 User manual
User manual for POCKET 29 - 31. 13 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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- Brand
- Model / document
- POCKET 29 - 31
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 13
- File size
- 1.3 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
- www.orphancameras.com
"More lhan a Century ag.o the Seneca Indians lL-ere ac-
knowledged. to be the lead'ing tribe of the Six Nations'"
Today Seneca Cameras are the Class ol the Photogral>ltic
World. ,4s the great Indian plilosopher, Red Jacket'
would say, "there is something in tlte name"' I l
:
i
Before Loading
Contents Before attempting to take pictures with the No' 29
or No. 31 Seneca Cameras, read these pages and learn
exactly how to operate its many parts correctly' Famil- PART l-Loading the Camera - iarize yourself with the lens and shutter, qnderstanding
the significance and exploring the operation of the several PART Il-Making the Exposure
working parts. PART lll-Removing the Load
Again we say it,-read the directions carefully and
PART lV-Developing
investigate the use of every part before the holder or
adapter is inserted in the camera. Finally, see' that the PART V-Making the Prints
shutter is closed before the slide is withdrawn. PART Yl-Greater Possibilities
Loading ",t
A plate must be loaded into the plate holder in abso-
lute darkness except for the rays of a safe ruby light;
the film pack may be loaded safely into the adapter in
bright sunshine.
Warning
After the slide has been withdrawn, do not expose
the lens to a strong light until thc bellews it exlended.View original page 3Page 4 · Read text
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PART I PART II
Loading the Camera Making the Exposure
PLATES \ryITH GROUND GLASS AND TRIPOD
I-See that the room is absolutely dark except for I-Locate the tripod socket upon the bottom or side
the rays of a safe ruby light before opening the package of the camera and turn the head screw of the tripod into
of plates. Remove the slide from the holder. the socket for the vertical or horizontal picture as desired.
II-Place the end of the plate upon the wooden bar
in the bottom of the holder with the coated surface out- II-Press the concealed button in the middle at the
ward (the smooth surface facing inwar:d). Push down top of the camera. The bed flies open.
upon the wooden bar at the base. Let the top of the III-Pull the bed down until it locks automatically.
plate fall in. The wooden bar will spring up and force IV-With the No. 29 Camera press upon the ear
the plate into a secure Position. clamps until they yield and pull forward to the focusing
III-Insert the slide in the holder with the white scale. The numerals upon the scale at the right represent
side of the wooden bar at the top facing outward. (If the number of feet away objects are in focus when the
the Simplex Holder is used, have the side of the slide indicator upon the standard is set at that point. With
with no perforations appearing.) the No.31 Camera, Brip the base of the standard with
FILM PACKS the thumb and second finger. Press down upon the nick-
IV-Although absolute darkness is unnecessary, sub- eled push button in the center of the base of the standard
dued light is advisable. Pull back the two clamps upon and pull forward to the focusing scale.
each side at the top of the film pack adapter. V-Set the shutter at T and open it. Open the door
V-Push the film pack into the adapter and return upon the back of the camera to expose the ground glass.
the two clamps to their original positions. This leaves Now manipulate the legs of the tripod until the ground
the tabs of the film pack projecting from the adapter. glass shows exactly the objects desired in the picture.
VI-Be sur-e that the slide is inserted in the front of
\rl-Throw a focusing cloth over the rear of thethe adapter. Pull the BACK TAB of the film pack to
camera in order to darken the ground glass and to makethe red line and tear it off. This removes a protecting
the images more visible. Moving the front standardsheet of paper and prepares the film pack for the first
forward and backward (pull out the milled head onexposure.
VII-With the loaded holder or adapter in readiness, the bed of the No.31 and rack forward or backward by
open the back of the camera, push the holder or adapter means of the rack and pinion) will seem to make the
images more and less distinct. Select the point at whichuntil it falls into the rabbet of the camera.
they are most distinct. Lbok for the image upon the
After the stide nrYfli\frroro*r, d.onot expose ground glass, don't try to look through it. The picture
the lens to a strong light until the belloq"usis extended. will be upside down.View original page 4Page 5 · Read text
-J www.orphancameras.comII I
The objects are now sharply in locus and w'ill ap- I l-lsthof a second. The subject must be stationary, since I
l the slightest motion will cause'a blur. It is essential thatpear with identically the sarne clearness upon tlte nega- I
I the camera be placed upon some rigid base. .utive.' . T his ability to see the picture bef ore it is taken
ll Exposures at the l-25, l-50 and 1-100 can be madedistinguishes the plate carnera oaer all other types.
when the camera is held in the hand. At 1-100, "snap"
VII-With the camera in focus. insert the holder or a speeding automobile at a distance ; at 1-50 include chil-adapter in the camera, close the shutter, set it and the 1IIl*1 dren at play or a man running swiftly; at l-25 take pic-
diaphragm at the proper stops and withdraw the slide I tures of cattle grazing in'a pasture or of a man walking
from the holder or adapter. Everything is in readiness I slowly. When the camera is equipped with the Uno
for the picture. l1 Shutter, use "Inst" for all instantaneous or snapshot work.
VIII-Before attempting to make an exposure, get It is probable that in most cases it will stop all motion
acquainted with the use and operation of every part of or, in other words, prevent a moving object from being
the shutter. Be sure that blurred.
First:The upper indicator points to the proper time IX-The lens is marked according to the scale 4, 8,
lactor. 16,32 and 64. If the lens is one of the Rapid Symmetrical
Second-T he lower indicator is set at the proper or Rapid Rectilinear type, there will be a combination of
diaphragm stop. glass in front of the shutter. Since there is also one
Third-An unexposed plate or flm is in position. behind the shutter facing the film, it is called a double
lens. The Rapid Symmetrical Lens has markings 4, 8,
The shutter is always ready for use, a firm pressure 16, 32 and 64 and the Rapid Rectilinear Lens, 8, 16, 32
upon the cable release or the push button being all that and 64. Set the shutter at T, open it and watch the
is required to operate it. relative size of the diaphragm while the indicator is
A wide variety of shutters is furnished: the Uno, moved. When the indicator is at 16, the diameter of that
Trio and Autic. Besides the usual time and bulb ex- opening is very close to 1-16 of the distance from dia-
posures the Uno Shutter permits one instantaneous e:i- phragm to the film. Now move the indicator over to 8,
posure only; the Trio fractional speeds of l-25, 1-50 and the area of the opening is just twice that of the former
1-100 seconds and the Autic l, l-2, l-5, l-25, 1-50 and one. Consequently, in a given interval of time, twice as
1-100 seconds. much light will pass through the lens at 8 as at 16. This
-relation 'I between all the numbers. On that account At the shutter remains open after the first pressure is the
until a second pressure closes it. At B the shutter stays the lens working at 8 is twice as fast as when working
open until the pressure is released. The 1, l-2 and l-5 at 16. With the greater speed possible by the use of the
denote the approximate periods of a second during which 8 opening, the lens loses proportionately in its ability to
light is allowed to pass through the shutter to the film. image clearly objects both near and far from it. This
These factors are used when light conditions are so poor inability of greater speeds to have a large region of dis-
that it is necessary to allow an exposure longer than tinctness or, in lens terms, great depth of focus, is not a
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not parallel with that of the object, lenses will produce
new discovery nor a variable quantity, but is the result distortion. ' Distortion is the twisting of objects and lines
of a mathematical ratio which is as rigid as "two times out ol their normal perspectiq)e or out of the way they
two make four." Speed is gained only at a loss in depth appear to the eye. Consequently, in order to keep the
of focus. That is why it is necessary with the Rapid Sym- negative parallel with the object and avoid distortion, the
metrical Lens to be very accurate in estimating the num- lens must be placed in a line between the center of the
ber of feet the object is away and to be quite accurate film and the middle of the object. This is accomplished
with the Rapid Rectilinear Lens. by raising or lowering the lens. For instance, in order to
If the lens is a Meniscus Achromatic, the shutter take the upper stories of a building from the sidewalk
apparently is in front of the lens. To be exact' there is across the street, the camera should be placed level and
only one combination, and that is behind the shutter. On the lens raised to point at the center of the area desired.
this account it is called a single lens. Since the largest
The camera must always be held level. While taking of the markings, 16, 32, 64 and 128, is a slow speed, the
fi lens has great depth of focus and does not require ex- pictures of children or dogs, lower the camera to the
height of the subject, but hold it level. Then, when the treme accuracy in focusing
As a basis to work from, set the indicator at 16 for camera is level, the rising and falling front may be used
pictures of objects in bright sunshine if taken not later to decrease or increase the amount of the foreground.
than two-thirty in winter or four-thirty in summer. Use Xl-Before closing the camera, make sure that the
the 8 stop for objects in direct sunlight later in the after- lens is centered and that the hood of the finder is closed.
noon or for a corresponding period in the morning. The Push the front standard back as far as it will go and wind
8 stop may also be used for objects in the middle of days the push cord release up over the finder and down the
when the sun is hardly strong enough to cast a shadow. other side. Press down upon the side arms. The bed
Cloudy days, hazy days early in the morning and late will close readily.
in the afternoon and sunshiny days when the sun is ap- Xll-Replace the slide of the holder or adapter be-
proaching the horizon, the 4 stop may be used to good fore removing the holder or adapter itself from the cam-
advantage. The user's experience will be the best guide' i era. Close the door over the ground glass and detach the
The Simplex Exposure Scale in the Seneca catalog pro- camera from the tripod.
vides a short cut for-the inexperienced operator as well as \ilITH FINDER
a sure test of the judgment of the expert. Accordingly,
with a Meniscus Achromatic Lens whose greatest working XIII-Open the front of the camera and extend the
aperture is 16, it is not advisable to attempt snapshots late standard to the desired focus.
in the afternoon or upon days the sun isn't shining XIV-To take a vertical picture, lift the hood of the
brightly. finder, aim the camera at the object and locate the image
X-Loosen the milled head upon the side of the stan- in the finder. Always look into the firrder from directly
dard of the No. 31 Camera. The lens and shutter may above it and not at an angle, The rectangle LENGTH'
be raised and lowered. If the plane of the negative is
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WISE, not crosswise, includes those objects which will PART III
appear in the picture. Removing the Load
XV-For a horizontal picture, turn the top of the
PLATESfinder to the left as far as it will go and proceed as be-
fore. The rectangle CROSSWISE, not lengthwise, in- IV-After the exposure push the top of the holder
cludes those objects which will appear in the picture. back so that it is free from the rabbet of the camera. The
holder will come out easilY. XVI-Set the diaphragm and shutter at the proper
stops and proceed as before. In using the rising and V-It is advisable to leave the plate in the holder
falling front, the finder is no longer serviceable, since until ready for developing. If the immediate use of the il
that corresponds with the lens only when the lens is holder is necessary, the exposed plate may be placed in
centered. The only accurate method of finding the exact , a tight box with a secure wrapping of light-proof paper'
scope of the le'ns is by using the ground glass. Many To remove the plate from the holder in the dark room,
amateurs, however, sight along the side of the camera rest it upon a table in a vertical position and press down
with satisfactory accuracy. with the thumb upon the wooden bar at the bottom. Catch
the plate as it falls forward.
XVII-After the exposure be sure to replace the slide
VI-Be sure that the room is perfectly dark exceptof the holder or adapter before removing the holder or
for the rays of a safe ruby light and that no light isadapter itself from the camera. Close the front of the
allowed to reach the plate afterwards.camera as before.
FILM PACKS
Film Packs permit individual development of expo-
sures. In the dark room remove the pack from the
adapter and break open the back at the top. After re-
rnoving the desired number of the exposed strips of film,
rF Eachseal thesinglepack exposureagain beforeis thentakingreadyit outforintothethedevelopingdaylight.
solution.
I-After taking the twelfth exposure, pull the re-
maining tab to the proper distance in order to protect the
exposures.
II-Push the top of the adapter back so that it is free
from the rabbet of the camera. The adapter will come
out easily.
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Vll-Continue the development for five or ten minutes III-Stand the plate in such a way that neither side
until the contrast between the light and dark parts of the will come in contact with anything while drying. Allow
negative has become very distinct or the image begins it to remain there until it is thoroughly dry. The Seneca
to .ho* on the back of the plate. The degree of darkness Negative Rack is a standard device for this purpose.
is not essential, it is only necessary to watch the degree
of contrast. Carry the development somewhat beyond this FILM PACKS
point for the density will fade in the fixing bath' IV-Break open the pack, take out the twelve exposed
strips and remove the paper remaining upon each.
RINSING
I-After developing sufficiently, rinse three or four V-Develop each exposure individually, using the Defender Film Clip to maintain a hold upon the wet andtimes in the middle tray before you' slippery film.
FIXING VI-The directions for the development of plates will
I-Place the developed and rinsed plate in the acid guide the amateur safely through the other operations.
hypo solution, face up. Examine it from time to time
yo., will notice that the white or gray color will DEFECTS IN NEGATIVES
"ni disappear. Two or three minutes after the gradually
iast trace of milkiness has disappeared, it is safe to admit Veiled Whites or Fog
white light to the room. Allow the negative to remain Film handled too close to ruby light.
in t,he hypo for ten minutes longer' Exposed to rays of white light.
Il-Remove the negative to running water and allow Muddy Effects
it to remain there for an hour. In case running water Exhausted developer.
is not available, change the water five times the first ten Forcing under-exposed negatives in development.
minutes, moving it occasionally, and then allow it to soak Too warm a developing solution.
for an hour. If desired, the water may be changed four Irregular Light Spots
or five times during a half hour of washing'
The Seneca Removable Rack Wash Box insures [fneven development due to failure to keep all parts
proper washing of the plates at all times' The water is of the negative evenly moistened during development. Uneven immersion in the developing solution. led from the bottom and escapes at the top' Loading
and unloading of individual plates at diverse periods and Over-exposure. Air bells upon the film during development. drying afterwards is made convenient by the removable
rack. Milky Spots on Negatives
It is essential that the negatives be thoroughly Failure to keep negatives entirely covered by fixing
washed. bath or insufficient time for fixing.
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DON'TS PART V
Don't start until the chemicals are thoroughly dis- Making the Printssolved.
Don't use a tray for developing if it has previously I-Mix the contents of the M. Q. tube (both chem-
been used for hypo solution or final washing' icals) thoroughly with four ounces of water at about 70o
Fahr. and place in the tray at the left. Dont' use chemicals after their strength is gone' A
hypo solution is exhausted when air bells settle around II-In the center have a tray of clear cool water for
the edge of the tray and remain there' When the devel- rinsing the prints after developing'
oping solution loses its strength, it turns brown' Ill-Dissolve thoroughly the acid hypo according to
Don't allow one ray of white light to enter the room' the directions upon the box and set the tray to the right.
Don't hold the strip too close to the ruby lamp; it IV-Darken the room to semi-darkness. It is un-
necessary to have the room completely dark, since Argomay cause fog.
paper can be handled safely ten feet from an ordinary
Don't let a trace of hypo reach the developer; a drop gas jet.
may spoil the whole solution. Wipe your hands upon
a clean towel each time after taking them from the hypo . DEVELOPING
solution. ' I-Place the smooth side of the negative against the
Don't remove the negatives from the hypo until they glass of the printing frame, allowing the dull or picture
are thoroughly fixed. Too long is better than too short' side of the film to face up.
Don't blame the materials; read the directions over II-Take one sheet of the developing paper from its
again or ask your dealer. light-proof wrapping and lay it concave-side down upon
the negative. This allows the dull surface of the negative
to come into contact with the concave side of the paper.
For a negati,ue of normal contrast use Normal Argo
to obtain best results. When the negatiwe is weak or
tltin, use Hard Argo. If the dark places (tlte high lights
of the negative) are .uery dense and the contrast between
the light and dark portions q)er! marked, double the
amount of water and use Soft Argo. The tine of expo-
sure and dewelopment will be somewltat lengtltened. It
is oery important that paper with tlte correct degree of
contrast be used with each class ol negatit'te. A soft or
weak paper, f or instance, with a contrasty negatizte will
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produce the same ,rfuU as a contrasty paper witlt a weak FIXING
negative. The Normal Argo meets the aoerage require' I-submerge the print in the hypo solution and allow
ments of an amateur more closely than any other degree it to remain for fifteen minutes. See that the prints do not
become matted, since in that case the hypo solution will
"' ":r'.;-*;amp the back of the printing frame into place not fix them evenly.
and expose to artificial light for several seconds. II-Wash the prints in running water for an hour,
taking care again that they do not become matted. If
With an ordinary gas light and a negatizte ol atter- running water is not available, change the water ten or
age density expose Argo Paper about eight second's- twelve times during a half hour. Be sure that the printv
counting one hundred, two hundred, etc. are thoroughly washed.
IV-After exposure to the bright light, hide the ex- III-Place the prints face down on either stretched
posed paper until the room has been darkened enough to cheesecloth or a blotter. The time necessary for drying
permit its being handled safely again. Remove the paper may be shortened by first laying them upon. a piece of
from the frame and immerse it in the developer with a clean glass and pressing out the surplus water. lfhen
quick sidewise motion so that the solution reaches all parts dry them upon cheesecloth or blotters as before.
at approximately the same time. The room may now
be lighted again to enable the operator to follow the DEFECTS IN PRINTS
developing more closely. Foggy Whites
V-Leave the paper in the developer until the picture Paper handled in too strong a light.
has ccme up to the right shades of black and white. The Paper too old.
picture will begin to appear in about six seconds. Muddy Effects
If the shadows are light or loggy and appear slo'n-ly, Forcing development of under-exposed prints.
the paper has not been exposed long enough. If, on the Exhausted developer.
other ltand, the shadows are very intense and come up Irregular Light Spots
ouichly, the exposure has been too long. Belore rnaking Uneven development due to failure to keep printany exposure, cut a sheet ol paper into strips and make
fully submerged during development or to immerse printtrial exposures. You will soon find what exposure gioes evenly. Ithe best results. Not only will this sr't)e a considerable
amount of paper, but it will enable you to obtain pleasing Over-exposure to Iight.
Over-development.results more quickly,
Stains
RINSING Forced development.
I-At this point take the print from the developer Chemically dirtl' dishes or hands.
quickly and rinse it in the middle tray. Failure to fix a sufficient length of time.
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Round White Spots in Clu$ters PART VI
Air bells upon the print after being immersed in de-
veloper. Rub the print lightly with the finger to scatter Greater Possibilities
them. Didn't you ever feel that you would like a little
Oval Dark Spots in Cludters camera to slip into your pocket for an afternoon walk or
Air bells upon the print after being immersed in the a whole day's outing ?
fixing bath face downward. Immerse them face upward
and move about to displace the bubbles.
DON'TS
Don't start until the chemicals are thor<-'ughly dis-
solved.
Don't use a tray for developing if it has been used
for py-ro developer, hypo solution or final washing'
Don't use chemicals after their strength is gone.
A hypo solution is exhausted when air bells settle
around the edge of the tray and remain there. When the
developing solution loses its strength, it turns brown'
Don't have the lights too bright while the print is in
the developer, it may cause fog.
Don't fix the prints too long, it has a tendency to turn
them brown.
Don't let a trace of hypo reach the developer, one
drop may spoil the whole solution. Have a clean towel Your plate camera is a splendid picture maker and
handy after taking the hands from the fixing bath. has all the advantages of a plate machine, but for that
Don't blame the materials if your first results are d"y when you wanted just a few snapshots and didn't
not as good as you expected, read the directions over again care to make each exposure scientifically, wouldn't your
or ask your dealer. owning a Vest Pocket Senecaalmost mean that you'd get
some jim-ripping pictures you otherwise wouldn't ?
The "Little Indian" is so small that it slips readily
into a vest pocket and so light that its presence is barely
noticeable.
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With it there is no asking that eternal question, How Lens equipmentsare furnished for all kinds of pocket-
f ar away is that ? When the front automatically locks books. The fast Anastigmat will catch the picture at
into position everything is in readiness. The picture is snapshot in the shade, the Meniscus Achro'matic must be
so clear that it will stand enlargement to many times its used in the bright sunshine. The others are capable ac-
original size-the test of a picture. cording somewhat to their cost.
The Vest Pocket Seneca is so neat that you just want
www.orphancameras.com to hold it in your hand and admire it. Whether it is
projecting f rom the young I ady's gloved hand or the
canoeist's flannel shirt, you will say to yourself, "It's
cl a ssy, isn't it ?"
Price LiSt
Vest Pocliet Seneca, Meniscus Achromatic Lens $ 7.00
Vest Pocket Seneca,Rapid Rectilinear Lens 8.50
Vest Pocket Seneca,Anastigmat | 7.5 Lens 12.50
Vest Pocket Seneca,Anastigmat | 6.3 Lens 22'50
Vest Pocket Seneca,Anastigmat f 4.5 Lens 5 5'00
Film cartridge, 8-exposure' Vulcan No. 25+. '20 .'
Leather case '7 5 /'-
Hand bug
4 x 5 3 / x S %
Loading and unloading is a cinch because the whole Seneca Camera No. 29, with Meniscus
back comes off. You can see just how to put the film in Achromatic Lens $7.50 $g.oo
and take it out. Any standard make of film cartridge will Seneca Camera No. 29, with Rapid Recti-
fit and offer the usual daylight-all-the-way advantages. linear Lens 8.50 9.00
It doesn't cost much to operate a "Little Indian." A SenecaFilm Paclc Adapter 1.25 1.25film cartridge with eight exposurescosts only twenty cents.
Seneca Improved Pl ate Holders .80 .80Favorite pictures can be enlarged to any size cheaply by
the dealer nearby. Enlarging is becoming more and more S i m p l e x P l a t e H o l d e r s : . . . 1 . 0 0 1 . 0 0
common every day, because people find it so satisfactory Leatheret carrying case for camera and
to take small pictures and have the good ones enlarged. f o u r h o l d e r s . . : . . 1 . 5 0 1 . 5 0
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