Monthly Archives: January 2018

William Withrow of AGO fame 1926 – 2018

Toronto. I saw in last Monday’s Globe that the popular one time head of the AGO, William Withrow, died at 91 on January 7, 2018. Born in Toronto, Bill directed the AGO from 1961 – 1991 including its growth and … Continue reading

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Erik (Schack) Christensen, Globe Photographer

Toronto. One of the perks of being a Globe and Mail subscriber is their News Photo Archive. I wrote about the archive last summer back on June 25, 2017. According to the Globe. “Subscribers can explore the work of Erik … Continue reading

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a 50mm Summicron lens

Toronto. A few days ago George Dunbar sent me more ads by email. Amongst them was a Leitz ad for its famous 50mm Summicron in a collapsible mount. I wrote back to George saying, “The seven element 5cm summicron ad … Continue reading

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Free Black North – Dr Julie Crooks of the AGO

Toronto. PHSC Meeting, Wed., Feb. 21, 2018 Free Black North – Dr Julie Crooks of the AGO We celebrate Black History Month by welcoming Dr Julie Crooks of the AGO to talk about her first exhibition at the AGO titled Free … Continue reading

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Photographic Canadiana 43-4 out soon

Toronto. Our final issue for the 2017/8 membership year will hit the mail by month end. Members will see this beautiful issue early next month at the latest. Not a member? No problem, just go to the top right hand … Continue reading

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the dawn of electronic flash for everyone

Toronto. In the 1950s the Braun Hobby flash was touted as the cheap solution for everyone with a camera synced for flash and with an adjustable shutter. George Dunbar sent me this March 1956 Popular Photography ad by Leitz for … Continue reading

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Vancouver BC swap meet this April

Toronto. Tonchi Martinic out in BC sent me a note on Tuesday saying “I am very happy to remind you about our spring camera show. There is big interest in the show, and tables are already selling. Regards to you and … Continue reading

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the days of the prime lens

Toronto. We are spoiled these days by the wonderfully sharp zoom lenses which allow us to be lazy and just adjust the lens focal length to crop the scene rather than change a prime lens and actually move to get … Continue reading

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the bigger the better

Toronto.  George Dunbar sent me an ad for the Leitz enlarger Focomat 1c recently. The ad is from the October 1951 issue of Popular Photography. The icon at left is my Focotar lens which I bought from the late Bill … Continue reading

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flash before electronic

Toronto. George Dunbar sent me another bunch of ads the other day. This one from the December, 1951 issue of Popular Photography brings back memories. I was in grade nine high school and for Christmas I was given a new … Continue reading

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