American Cinematographer - December 1970 - 27

"MONITAL is an unbeatable tool"
says GENE BARNES*

I have recently been accused of reversing
my decision to use primary lenses instead
of relying entirely on "zoom" or variable
focal length lenses. I believe the discipline
of fixed focal length lenses puts a far
greater stress on your entire approach. You
think again in film terms. Television brought
the zoom lens into being for it helped
smooth out the problem of awkward lens
flipping for a different perspective. How¬
ever, in searching for acceptable primary as
well as zoom lenses I had encountered in¬
numerable problems of quality, mechanical
failure, and inadequancies and finally be¬
lieved that "they just didn't make them like
they used to."
I changed my mind when I tested and used
the primary lenses manufactured by Rank
Taylor Hobson. These lenses had weight,
focusing and iris rings that worked smoothly
and stayed exactly where set. It was like
being snapped into focus after experiencing
a fuzzy nightmare. Encouraged I tested the
Rank Taylor Hobson zoom lenses as well.
The Monital 17-85 f/2 gave greater defini¬
tion and clarity than many of the other
lenses I had used. Also, smoother action
and better color rendition than any of the
wider zooms used. The real shocker was
the Monital f/3.8 compact lens with a range
of 17-85mm. It is an unbeatable tool when
you need quick set-ups on a hand camera
for it delivers exciting shots in beautiful
color.
A final point on both Monitals and Rank
Taylor Hobson primary lenses. I will again
mention discipline. At times little thought
is given to the size of the finished image
when magnified many times over on the
projection screen. I generally work within a
17-85mm range. The Monitals in the 1785mm ratio achieve this objective.
When I really need a wide angle, the 9mm
f/1.9 RTH Kinetal can be relied on to do
the job. It is the crispiest wide angle lens I
have ever used. Today's 16mm film makers
should no longer be satisfied with less than
the professional quality provided by Rank
Taylor Hobson lenses.

People who work with 16mm film can no longer be sat¬
isfied with less than professional quality. That is exactly
what Rank Taylor Hobson Monital lenses deliver, pro¬
fessional quality all the time.

* Winner of 12 "News Pictures of the Year" awards and "Golden
Mike" awards. Has filmed over 50 documentaries and shot more than
2 million feet of film for NBC and prominent Sponsors in the last
18 years. Gene is now an independent Producer/Director/Cameraman.

All photos by Rick Neff.

For complete information regarding Rank Taylor Hobson lenses con¬
tact the RPI office nearest you.

RANK PRECISION INDUSTRIES, INC.
260 N. Rt. 303 411 Jarvis Ave. 4351 Tu junga Ave. 1111 Finch Ave. W.
West Nyack, N.Y. 10994 Des Plaines, III. 60018 Studio City, Calif. 91604 Downsview, Ontario, Canada
(914) 358-4450 (312)297-7720 (213)985-3963 (416) 63Q-4514

Ik
AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER, DECEMBER 1970

1173

American Cinematographer - December 1970

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Cinematographer - December 1970