The Art of projection and complete magic lantern ... - Yesterday Image

4tthe same as they do, in fact it is seldom that the full value is got out ofa triple.Why this neglect and apathy ?We appear to live in a lazy age, with a taste for simplicity. When anaudience is tolerably well satisfied with simple photographs, we do notcare to spend the necessary time and trouble that is requisite to registereffects. With a lanternist who is seldom twice in the same place, andusing lenses of different focus, it is very different to the old Polytechnic,where the lanterns were stationary, with the slides and effects registeredand marked for each lantern.This system when worked in modern instruments, proves a failure, asslides registered at a short distance from the screen, will not come truewhen lenses of long range are adopted. And consequently effects truedand registered at home, in nine cases out of ten, fail to come right at anexhibition. What is more trying, and irritating to an audience, than tosee effects bobbing up and down on thescreen, as the operator endeavoursto get them into their proper positions. This is the class ofexhibition which brings lanterns into bad repute, and is it to bewondered at ?WHAT DOES REGISTERING IMPLY?It means that one and every slide dissolved should appear perfectlycoincident to the preceding picture in size and shape. Take two effectsfor instance, day and night of the same place, when the two are on thescreen together, the buildings, etc., must superimpose over each other,with such precision that they have the appearance of one slide, likewisethe circles or edges of the picture should superimpose to a minute degree.Without a system, such- registration is impossible. With such amethod as Mr. Hughes advocates, the whole course of registering slidesis reduced to a rule of thumb. When once the effects are trued, theyare true for ever after,whatever focus lens may be used.MANIPULATING A TRIPLE LANTERN.After getting the lantern into position on its tripod or box (the lattershould be very rigid and fitted with a canting table).Clean the conden--sers and front lenses with a chamois leather, which should be free fromgrease, and kept specially for the purpose. In replacing the condensersnotice that the holes are at the top, to allow of the escape of moisture,and on a very cold night it may be necessary to warm all lenses by afire, generally this is not required. Take care that the condensers arewell pressed home in their sockets, as this is often the cause of a blurred