WARM WEATHER IN FAR SOUTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18787, 17 June 1929, Page 13

WARM WEATHER IN FAR SOUTH.

TEMPERATURE AFFECTS AUTOMATIC CAMERAS. * BY RUSSELL. OWEN. Copyrighted, 1928, by the “New York Times” Company and “St Loui3 Post-Dispatch.” All Rights for Publication Reserved Throughout the World. Wireless to “ New York Times.” BAY OF WHALES, June 12. “ The unnaturally warm weather of the last few days was followed, yesterday, by so much moisture that ice and frost crystals formed upon every outdoor structure of the expedition's camp. Wires became glittering, fairy-like ropes in the flare lights, and even the radio towers, and skis standing in the snow, were rimmed with delicate frost flowers. Some splendid pictures of these amazing things were made by flashlight, and any movement produced wonderful effects against the dark background of the Antarctic night. It was eleven degrees below zero yesterday, when this phenomenon occurred, but today it is eight degrees below again, and clear, for which all are thankful. 44 Joe Rucker and Willard Vandeiveer, Paramount men, had then troubles with the moving picture cameras, for films snap and cameras jam in .periods of intense cold, and frequently they have to come in and thaw themselves out before maxing another attempt to get a picture. But, they are slowly obtaining a record of life and scenes in the Antarctic. “In attempts to operate a camera or a theodolite, or other instrument, in the Antarctic, one must be prepared for many vexations. The moving parts bend, due to the contraction from the cold. Moisture condenses between the lenses and one’s fingers are burned un der the tips, appearing as though they had been repeatedly seared by flames. 44 The first breath of the Antarctic in the ice-pack gave an intimation of what was coming. Moving picture cameras began to get stiff and were taken apart, oiled and washed out with gasoline. As the ship got further south, the photographers lugged their cameras below and with many imprecations disassembled them and refitted the moving parts. The bending was due to unequal expansion, steel shafts working against brass bearings, or some steel or brass part which came in contact with aluminium. When there was room in the wardroom to work, the table-top was frequently covered with parts of cameras, while Ruckej ana Vanderveer loosened the bearings with crocus cloth and fitted and refitted until the crank could be turned. Even the tripod had to be taken apart and refitted. When ever a camera was brought below, it began to sweat, and had to be carefully wiped and dried so that no moisture remained in it to freeze. It was then taken outside. Here, at the base, the cameras are baked in an oven, or hung above the stove to dry. When necessary we bring them indoors. If the slightest moisture is left in them, they will freeze and bind in a few minutes.” 4 A little camera which can be carried in thft pocket and kept warm until needed proved most valuable, both for withstanding cold and the ease of operating with blistered fingers. Motion picture film began to snap at 25 degrees below zero. It would break and have to be rethreaded, the operation being done with the bare hands because of the small space in which to work. The fingers stuck to the metal parts, and after such a job, Vandeveer or Joe could be seen hopping about holding their hands under their armpits in pain. Care had to be taken not to breathe into the cameras during this operation, as the breath immediately formed frost all over the working parts. A thing that will make a camera-man madder than the proverbial hatter is to walk up to him while he is rethreading, and say. 4 Isn’t that interesting/ and breathe into his camera.

44 The condensation due to difference in temperature down here can hardly be imagined by one who has not experienced it The warmth of body com ing in contact with something cold condenses the moisture from the body Even a book which has been lying near a cold wall will steam like a tea kettle when it is opened in a slightly warmer atmosphere. This gives point to the idea of the quality of the condensation out of doors, which, at very low temperatures, makes the breath crackle audibly as it leaves the mouth, and turn into clouds of vapour. A man standing inside the entrance of one of the house tunnels, forms so much vapour by breathing that the house appears to be on fire, and what one breath will do to a camera is best suggested by a row of asterisks. 4 ‘ Automatic cameras cease to work at about 20 degrees below zero, because the contraction from the cold causes the springs to bind. It has been found, however, that an automatic may be warmed over a primus stove and. if it is then carried under a coat next to body, except when in use, it will work for an hour. ‘‘One of the hardest things to overcome is snow, which collects on the lens during a blizzard. This drift snow is incredibly fine. Cameras are made to keep out light and are nearly watertight, but after a blow or two, two or three spoonsful of snow would be found inside the cameras. Various types of hoods were tried until one was found which offered fair protection. “The dogs also took a liking to the tripods, and the legs were chewed until they resembled old-fashioned hitching posts. ‘‘The films are kept outside in one of the tunnels, to guard them from quick changes of temperature and sweating. Widely differing light conditions have been one of the greatest obstacles to good photography, and only by constant tests have proper shutter openings, speeds and filters been determined. On January 1, at noon, the third filter and stop twenty were used, and the light had so changed by April 1 that in the same location it was necessary to use stop eight without a filter, to get regular equality in negative.'*