Author Archives: Robert

pirates of New York City

Posted on November 15, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Univex (Universal Camera Corp) advertised its Buccaneer 35mm camera in November, 1947, a few years before declaring bankruptcy. Known for their unusual camera designs, the company was said to be ethically challenged. The body of the Buccaneer shown in this … Continue reading →

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history in photos

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Our co-editor of the Photographic Canadiana journal, David Bridge,  recently sent me a link to a CTV news item called,”Rare photos of 44 Toronto First World War soldiers discovered“. The glass slides are professional portraits of WW1 soldiers in … Continue reading →

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she’s baaack!

Posted on November 13, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. I did a post back on June 2nd noting that the iconic Sunday Antique Market in St Lawrence Hall was closing. I saw in the November 10 Etobicoke Guardian (the local free rag) that Marlene Cook was reopening her … Continue reading →

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win some … lose some …

Posted on November 12, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Did you ever think about technological trade-offs? Overtime better ways to manufacture; better quality; lower cost; broader acceptance; etc. all worked together to wring out lower cost and better quality to the consumer. Just consider photography. In the early … Continue reading →

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do you remember …

Posted on November 11, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Take a break and honour our fallen soldiers today. In Canada, we hold Remembrance day on November 11th with the minute of silence at 11am. During the silence we remember all those fallen who gave their lives to let … Continue reading →

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a Kodak ‘Rollei’

Posted on November 10, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. In its hey day, Kodak made a variety of camera formats. One was a twin lens reflex design competing in a market held by Rollei at the high and medium end. Like its German competitor, this TLR captured photos … Continue reading →

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shooting star

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. This May, 1947 ad from Popular Mechanics touted the Meteor – a cheap 620 camera designed like a 35mm camera – as ideal for “photo-eager folk who want to start on the streamlined path to a great photo-future”. The maker … Continue reading →

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the Leonards of Port Perry

Posted on November 8, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. The brief newspaper article titled “Port Perry recorded on film by the Leonards” caught George Dunbar’s eye. George writes, “This item from the Port Perry Star of Oct. 1, 1991 leads me to believe that the skylights of Leonard’s … Continue reading →

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the last movie

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Robert

Toronto.  The digital era brought with it amazing television, incredible cameras, smartphones with a multitude of devices built-in, digital movies sent by internet or satellite, and much, much, more. It also hastened the demise of antiquated infrastructure such as old … Continue reading →

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baby it’s cold inside

Posted on November 6, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Ken Metcalf, down in North Carolina, sent word that the Graflex Journal issue 3-22 is now out. This revised version is less than 1/4 the size of the previous file. If your internet connection is fast, here is the … Continue reading →

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