those film niche guys get another offer

Posted on July 20, 2026 by Robert

clever & cheap 1/2 frame camera

Toronto. On July 15th, Chloe Fuller down in NYC sent us an email on another nifty little film camera from lomography.

She says, “Dear Photography Friends and Press Partners,

“Our beloved Simple Use Reloadable Film Camera family is gaining a new member!

The Half-frame Simple Use Reloadable Film Camera is now available in two editions, ready to create more memories, more photos and more madness on 35 mm film.

“Preloaded with 40 photos on LomoChrome Classicolor film or Lady Grey Black & White film, it’s ready to shoot straight out of the box, with a built-in flash and three interchangeable coloured gel filters on the colour edition.

“Once it’s done, it’s easier than ever to reload and shoot all the way to 72 frames!

“Portable and ready for anything – this pocket-sized Simple Use Reloadable camera shoots undeniably analogue snaps in the half-frame format! Made for street, action and creative photography, this new addition to our much-loved family of Simple Use cameras can be re-used endlessly for one-of-a-kind snapshots of life as it happens.

“Find all the details and info in the attached press release and links below.”

Half-frame Simple Use Reloadable Film Camera LomoChrome Classicolor
https://shop.lomography.com/half-frame-simple-use-reloadable-film-camera-lomochrome-classicolor
Price: $34.90 USD (Canadian price shown on the link).

Half-frame Simple Use Reloadable Film Camera Black & White
https://shop.lomography.com/half-frame-simple-use-reloadable-film-camera-black-white
Price: $29.90 USD (Canadian price shown on the link).

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snow balls in July

Posted on July 19, 2026 by Robert

blossom of a Snowball Bush (summer Hydrangea) in 2026

Toronto. Old photo collectors might search for old images of blossoms and plants. The image at right is far too recent to even be considered a collectible at present.

Our various 2026 events included lots of old photographs. While many events have come and gone, there are at least two more important events on the horizon for this year: Our fall fair in October and our fall auction the following month.

While we can’t be sure the old images available will include flowers, we are sure you will spot many items to expand and add interest to your collection. As each event comes closer, a poster will be pinned to this site.

Meantime as each event’s location and date are confirmed we will add them to the right sidebar of this web site.

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readin’ da news …

Posted on July 18, 2026 by Robert

browsing the news around 1963 when the most important media were newspapers

Toronto. There has been an interest in the history of photography dating back at least to 1905 when Josef Eder produced his first edition (I have  the Dover reprint of his third edition). In America, there have been many books on the history of our art including the massive book by the Gernsheims in 1955 (I have the revised and enlarged edition printed in 1969 that I bought in 1971).

In the 1970s interest in cameras and old photos exploded with a proliferation of ‘historical’ societies world wide. Our own society was formed late in 1974 and became active the following year. The initial idea was an umbrella national society with many regional groups but this lofty goal eventually faded to one society here in Toronto and many other independent groups across Canada.

The PHSC initially attracted mainly camera collectors. Over the years a subset of members also collected old photographs and a subset of that group also addressed stereo.

The journal, Photographic Canadiana, began as a monthly mimeographed product and evolved into the current more professional journal we see today while slowly shrinking to four issues per annum. Two factors sparked the beginning of the newsletter, originally 10 issues per year. Colour pdf files were far cheaper than printed media; and as the number of journal issues was reduced, we occasionally missed an event.

An annual fair, then two, were held encouraging all collectors – members or not – to come and add to their personal collection. An auction was added for members to move less expensive items no longer of interest to them. The auctions expanded in the number per year and began covering member estates as well.

COVID19 had a major impact on us, driving the journal, newsletter, and meetings online using pdf files (via MailChimp) and ZOOM. Fortunately, by the time COVID hit, almost all members had embraced digital technology and had an email address facilitating online notice of electronic publications and attendance at online meetings.

The society added various social media platforms to attract younger members, and reach those who did not bother with the by then ubiquitous web sites. Membership emphasis shifted more to professional photographers and advanced amateurs (as well as the core group of collectors). Regular informative meetings fell off as we focussed more on events like fairs and auctions.

Members today can join/renew by mail (cheque or cash) or online (PayPal). See above and at right under ‘membership’. Questions may be emailed to member@phsc.ca.

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eye of the beholder

Posted on July 17, 2026 by Robert

portrait printed and attached to a Cabinet card in later 1800s

Toronto. The saying is “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. That appears to be true for subjects of early portraits. The example at left is a cabinet card portrait taken by John Best of Oshawa in the later 1800s when the CdVs began to lose their appeal.

Collectors of old images scour flea markets, garage sales, antique shops, our events, etc. to add to their collection.

Many of our 2026 events have passed now, but will pop up again this fall. As the date and location are confirmed, they are posted in the right hand sidebar of this site. As the date approaches, a poster is made along with a post of the event.

In October we will host our next 2026 event – the fall auction.

 

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full spectrum

Posted on July 16, 2026 by Robert

an old folder

Toronto. From its invention in 1839 until dry plates hit the market, photography was for specialists only – people with the skill and art necessary for the taking of a good ‘likeness’.

When dry plates hit the market, followed about a decade later by roll film, all this changed and photographs could be taken by an amateur and processed and printed later by a professional.

By the mid following century, kids could be given a cheap box camera, budding amateurs a folder, and the high end professional could use a camera with increased complexity and flexibility.

Late last century the digital era hit and by this century every smartphone had a sophisticated camera built in, giving full colour instantaneously, with the ability to save and send the image anywhere.

 

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I hear the train a comin’

Posted on July 15, 2026 by Robert

Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam engine locomotive, is seen during a stop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Sunday, July 5, 2026. As part of the celebration for America’s 250th anniversary, the steam engine train was on tour for public display in multiple cities and states across the United States.
(Michelle Gustafson for NPR)

Toronto. This year on July 4th our friends down south celebrated 250 years since their  amazing country was founded. Amongst the many celebrations was the decision by Union Pacific to take its famous Steam Engine number 4014 out and run it across the US.

Jeff Lunden wrote an article for NPR (National Public Radio – we watch many programs on its sister TV network, PBS) on the train, “the world’s largest operating steam locomotive”.

Jeff writes, “Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014– the world’s largest operating steam locomotive – has been barnstorming from coast-to-coast in a celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Based in Wyoming, the train came east to Philadelphia for the July 4th weekend.

“On the hottest day of the year – 102 degrees with a heat index that made it feel like 112 – dozens of people camped out by the side of the tracks at Valley Forge National Historical Park to see the train steam by. Many people brought camp chairs and coolers with water, like John Seibert, who came with a couple of friends from a model railroad club.

“‘It’s a once-in-a lifetime experience,’ he said, ‘I mean you’re never gonna see it again.’

“Many in the crowd checked their smartphones to see the progress of the train on an app, as it made its way down the track. And from miles away, you could hear the whistle. Then, the crowd could see the headlights in the distance. Then the Big Boy, 133 feet long and weighing 1.2 million pounds, came barreling past, bells ringing and steam whistle blaring.” …

To read the entire article, go to https://www.npr.org/2026/07/11/nx-s1-5872656/big-boy-locomotive-steam“.

A big thank you to PHSC Journal editors David and Louise for sending me a link to the wonderful story.

NB: I thought it would be fitting to use a line by another great American, Johnny Cash as the post title. Johnny’s sings the song called Folsom Prison Blues here.  It is the railroad part, not the prison part that suits this post.

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foolin’ around

Posted on July 14, 2026 by Robert

a ‘Little Tykes’ digital camera c2010 that took real pictures

Toronto. Toy cameras came on the market decades ago. I remember purchasing an old Fisher Price toy camera back in the 1970s.

Some toy cameras were also made in the digital era and actually could take digital images such as the Little Tykes camera shown here.

McKeown’s 11th even had a small section at the back devoted to toy cameras in the days of film. Some collectors either had a few toy cameras or specialized in them.

Our 2026 events could be a potential source of toy cameras. Next in line is our fall fair followed by our fall auction.  As we rarely know in advance what the fairs or auctions will bring up, all we can say is that there will be many items offered to augment your collection and user gear even if you don’t spot a toy camera…

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horsing around …

Posted on July 13, 2026 by Robert

a c1927 photo of a team of horses harnessed as used on Saskatchewan farms each fall. Printed Nov 1, 1927 in Regina, SK (on back of the print).

Toronto.Until past WW2, Canada was more rural than urban. In the 20s and 30s, youngsters from the east would go west via trains to help with the fall harvest.

At left is a photograph showing the arrangement of horses used in Saskatchewan to harvest grains like wheat (two groups of horses with four animals across, all harnessed as one team).

The driver of such a setup had to be skilled before being allowed to guide the horses in a field of grain. Unfortunately, not all youths arriving from the East were fully qualified drivers. This photograph shows  one of many examples of farm animals.

At one of our many 2026 events you may spot an old photo of farm animals – or other items suitable for your collection, user gear, or to simply extend your knowledge.

After recently (yesterday) holding our Trunk Sale, we traditionally take a few weeks off to relax and catch our breath. The next event will be our fall fair in October.

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wow! today’s the day!

Posted on July 12, 2026 by Robert

a few goodies at last year’s Sale – courtesy of Patrick Gunn

Toronto. Today, July 12th,  is here at last and along with it our famous mid year outdoor Trunk Sale. Clint has done a tremendous job arranging a location and coordinating vendor spots.

He and some of our tireless volunteers will be on hand today. The photo at left is from last year’s Trunk Sale courtesy of NEWS editor Patrick Gunn while the lovely poster is courtesy of our talented treasurer, John Morden.

Come on down to the Legion Hall #101 grounds this morning and enjoy the promised sunny day. This is the first year we have hosted the Trunk Sale here, down in Long Branch (SW Toronto). Auction visitors will recognize the location.

And of course, admission to the sale and parking are free.

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goldilocks

Posted on July 11, 2026 by Robert

A gold plated, specially skinned M6 courtesy of DCW

Toronto. A recent posting by Digital Camera World announced that a gold plated Leica M6 would be put up for auction. Our past editor, the late  Bob Lansdale,used an M6, but not gold plated.

Many prestigious makers do short specialized runs that celebrate one event or another (and attract serious collectors).

Years ago, Leitz held back milestone serial numbered cameras and awarded the cameras to worthy scientists or other notable persons. Some cameras were offered with gold plated exposed metal, lizard skin body coating, etc.

Our events are great places to pick up unusual bits of photographica. This Sunday, the 12th of July is our popular outdoor event, Trunk Sale (rain or shine, but we see the latest forecast says it will be sunny). While we can’t say you will spot a special Leica, we can stay you will find many items to add to your collection/user gear/add to you knowledge of photo history. To reserve a spot ($35 member, $45 non-member) or ask a question, contact Clint at fair@phsc.ca.

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