Monthly Archives: February 2022

what ever happened to Pellex Film?

Toronto. An advertisement in the October, 1933 issue of American Cinematographer by the Pellex  Film Company extolled the virtues of its 16mm fine grain and economy films for “all 16mm cameras”.  The films were B&W orthochromatic media in the days … Continue reading

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photographer Cassio Vasconcellos (Brazil)

Toronto. I received an email the other day from Galerie GADcollection in Paris, announcing an exhibition of works by the Brazilian photographer Cassio Vascocellos. Check out this fine gallery and see what they have that will complement your photo collection. … Continue reading

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a weighty solution

Toronto. This advertisement in the May 1933 issue of American Cinematographer touted an amazing sound system by DeVry – less than 150 pounds of camera, film, and sound equipment! All available just five years after the ‘talkies’ burst on the … Continue reading

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wow – home colour movies c 1936

Toronto. A June 1936 ad in the American Cinematographer encouraged all amateur movie makers to buy the then revolutionary 8mm Kodachrome. For the wary, Kodak assured them no filters or special cameras or projectors were necessary – Just your regular … Continue reading

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a name that pre-dates photography

Toronto. Voigtlander was an optical house in Vienna before the invention of any photographic process. While in Vienna, the Voigtlander firm manufactured the famous Petzval portrait lens designed c1840. Nearly a century later, this June, 1933 advertisement appeared in the … Continue reading

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a winter photo fair

Toronto. The Daguerreian Society is hosting a winter photo fair online this February 26 and 27 – free to all (members can get in a day earlier on the 25th). Here is a great way to augment your collection  – … Continue reading

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dance with me, Henry

Toronto. By 1940, newspapers and newshounds alike were busy trying to find new cheery ideas as WW2 rumbled on with its sorrowful gloom and destruction. Electronic flash suggested not only enough light for the slow film media of the day, … Continue reading

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eye of the beholder

Toronto. In the May, 1936 issue of American Cinematographer, the Home Camera Co. in NYC advertised the Foth Flex TLR camera. To the innocent eye, the camera seems to be made by the “Home Camera Co.” Since you could buy … Continue reading

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fade to black

Toronto. Professional movies shot on 35mm film or larger used a variety of techniques to switch the film – and audience – from one scene to the next. In one method, the scene ending was slowly faded out while the … Continue reading

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and you thought your camera was big!

Toronto. We often seem to be fond of making comparisons. In 1935, Technicolor offered a way to make colour films in Hollywood. The process was downright expensive so only some films – scenes – were in ‘full colour’.   This … Continue reading

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