Monthly Archives: February 2017

a missed opportunity

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. When it burst on the scene in the early 1960s, the Gossen Lunasix (Luna-Pro over here) solved the problem of low light readings. Using the recently released Cadmium Sulphide (CdS) photo cell, the meter was both accurate and sensitive. … Continue reading →

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… and a touch of Selenium

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. In setting a dry plate or roll film camera for a particular scene, the toughest part of all was to determine the light value so the aperture and speed could be estimated. In 1935, Weston Electric Instrument Corporation in … Continue reading →

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Not only fish and snakes have scales

Posted on February 26, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. An option to actinometers or extinction meters was the more sophisticated scales and nomographs. These devices like the Harrold Exposure Scale patented in 1922, or the Johnson “Standard Exposure” calculator, allowed a photographer to describe a scene and the … Continue reading →

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Extinction meters

Posted on February 25, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. Another popular design to aid the photographer in his pursuit of the correct exposure was the extinction meter. This device relied on the photographer looking though an eyepiece or tiny aperture as a filter was slowly moved across the … Continue reading →

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Actinometers

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. Since the beginning of photography people tried to find reliable ways to predict the correct exposures for a given light and scene. One idea was to expose a sensitized contact paper in the shadows enough to “tint” the paper … Continue reading →

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Le Posographe of 1923

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. We are spoiled today. Our digital cameras automatically adjust settings to match the light. What was coal black a century ago is like daylight today. When dry plates and roll films arrived on the scene, development was split from … Continue reading →

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Pictures a century ago

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. Mo Patz dropped me a note from BC yesterday. Maureen was president of our Toronto chapter which folded into the national chapter many year sago. Mo writes, “A friend of mine in the States just sent me this e-mail … Continue reading →

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Lansdale Photograph from The Star Archives

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. Over a week back I was sent an email by George Dunbar. George had spotted a photograph in the Toronto Star that Saturday taken by Bob back in 1974. Bob’s photograph of Marshall McLuhan  was used to illustrate a … Continue reading →

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50 Muybridge plates go for $62,500 US

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. I received an email the other day from Ms Daile Kaplan of Swann Galleries talking about their latest sale of photographs and books by auction. She says, “On Valentine’s Day we offered Icons & Images: Photographs & Photobooks, precisely 65 … Continue reading →

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Geoffrey James Exhibition: Stephen Bulger Gallery

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. You may have seen Geoffrey James’ excellent show at our last November meeting. Nevertheless, be sure not to miss his wonderful exhibition of prints at the Stephen Bulger Gallery From February 25th to March 25th, 2017. A preview of the … Continue reading →

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