American Cinematographer - December 1950 - 19

Amateur Cinematography
SECTION

YOU can make

SNAPSHOTS
from yo^

THE NEW SIXTOMAT photoelectric exposure meter features a sliding chrome
roller top, automatically calculates the correct f/ stop for every shutter speed.

Sixtomat-New, Automatic Exposure Meter

P

RESENTING

several

features entirely

new in the photo-electric exposure
meter field is the recently introduced
German-made Sixtomat exposure meter.
Sporting a completely new design, as
meters go in the U.S., the Sixtomat is
housed in a stream-lined functional plas¬
tic and chrome case with a sliding chrome
roller top, which completely eliminates
the usual cumbersome carrying case.
Absent are the customary large, flat
calculating discs profusely covered with
numbers, letters, etc. Instead of the cus¬
tomary "shoestring" neck cord, the'Six¬
tomat sports an attractive stainless steel
chain with instant hook-on clip.
The roller blind shields from impact
the cell and scale window. All sensitive
parts are shielded by spring suspension.
The meter, in just one, quick operation,
gives a direct reading for any film under
any light conditions.
On the right hand side of the meter
is a film speed dial which has a V-notch
indicator on its outside milled rim. By
means of a small stud on the dial, the
speed value (ASA) of the film used is
set opposite the V-notch. Thus the meter
is set for automatic operation, and there¬
after it is simply a matter of opening
the meter, pointing it at subject or scene,
turning the knob at the side until the
indicator matches position of the needle,
and read the exposure value direct. It is
particularly ideal for the cine cameraist
for whom complicated adjustments with
some meters has made exposure calcu¬
lation a bugaboo of the hobby.
Essentially there are but four factors
which determine the proper exposure of
photographic film. Briefly stated, these
consist of light intensity, film sensitivity,
shutter speed and lens opening. The Six¬
tomat measures light intensity reflected
from the subject or scene and instantly
gives a choice of lens openings and shut¬
ter speeds for the still cameraist, or the
exact lens opening for the cine camera
operator.

The reading is automatically retained
by the meter by an ingenious memoryperfect device.
The f/ stop scale of the meter ranges
from f/1.4 to f/45; the shutter speeds
from 1/1000 to 30 seconds for stills.
For cine camera use, the scale ranges
from 8 to 16, 32 and 64 frames per
second. The meter's sensitivity range is
from 0.1 to 4000 foot candles. An im¬
portant feature is the built-in magnify¬
ing lens in the scale window for easier
reading.
Measuring about 2 by 3 by one inches,
this palm-sized rugged meter is destined
to find wide favor among cameramen
in all photographic fields. The maker,
P. Gossen, is said to have produced over
a million photo-electric exposure meters
to date and is an outstanding manufac¬
turer of electrical measuring instruments
and precision equipment in Germany.
The Sixtomat is being imported and
distributed in the United States by the
Mitropa Corporation, New York City,
and retails for about $32.50.

Europe's Cine' Classic
Luxembourg this year acted as host
to the Union Internationale du Cinema
Amateur, organizing the 9th Interna¬
tional Congress and 12th International
Competition. The 64-page program cir¬
culated to delegates listed an impressive
list of entries, with U.S. entries the
smallest in number.
At conclusion of the contest, France
and Spain headed the list of prize win¬
ners. The order of merit for film entries
from different countries was as follows:
France

7-

Italy

Spain
Switzerland

8.

Germany
Denmark
Luxembourg

Holland
Belgium
Britain

910.
11.
12.

Portugal
Sweden

The last two were represented by only

Exclusive magnifying SELECT* A-FRAME
Built-in illumination for rapid exposure

' jL Capture the big moments
Tr of your favorite movie reels
*n exciting snapshots. The
C baby's first step, a happy
Graduation Day, a gay vacation
party, now easily become big, clear,
wallet-size pictures. Album mem¬
ories! Keepsakes for your friends!
EASY AS

1. Insert movie film.

TAKING A

2. Select best frame.

SNAPSHOT!

3. Push button!

NO DARKROOM NEEDED!
NO SPLICING OR CUTTING!
Use #127 roll film (black-and-white or
Kodacolor). Your photo-finisher will de¬
velop apd print in the usual way. You
get eight full-size pictures (iy&"x2!4"),
jumbo prints (23A"x4"), or greater en¬
largements can be made!

Write for
literature

Model 8A for Smiii or $ y 9 0 U
Model 16A for Ifimni
^

' COMPLETE I NCL. FED. EXCISE TAX

FEDERAL MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING CORP.
201

Sleuben Street

Brooklyn 5, N. Y.

two films each; all the others by four.
DECEMBER,

1950

AMERICAN

CINEMATOGRAPHER

+23
American Cinematographer - December 1950

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