Author Archives: Robert

so near yet so far

Posted on October 6, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. The second book in Douglas Adams‘ five volume “trilogy” – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – is titled “The Restaurant at the end of the Universe“. It clarifies the difference between physical distance and temporal distance. Similarly, while … Continue reading →

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he is the flash man

Posted on October 5, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. The March, 1946 edition of Popular Mechanics has an article on a unique 35mm camera designed for the US Army’s Surgeon General. Around the camera’s lens is a flash tube that flashes a 1/25,000th second burst of light “brighter … Continue reading →

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anything for a buck …

Posted on October 4, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Some people will do anything for money. While a dollar ring sounds junky (and maybe it was), 20 years later 18k gold was still about $25/ounce Canadian. This ad, from the March 1946 issue of Popular Mechanics magazine, touts … Continue reading →

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a letter of recommendation

Posted on October 3, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Have you ever noticed that others imitate successful processes? For decades in the first half of last century, camera makers used to tout how reliable their models were by printing  ‘letters’ from organizations that pushed them to the max. … Continue reading →

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Franz Scholler August 23, 1941 – September 23, 2022

Posted on October 2, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. I was sad to learn of the passing of Franz when Brian Battler sent me an email last Friday. Franz often had a table at our fairs with his wife Marianne. He and I shared an interest in Leica … Continue reading →

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bright night

Posted on October 1, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. After you have a great time at the PHSC camera fair today, hang around and see contemporary art exhibitions here and all around the city. For the first time since COVID hit, Toronto’s Nuit Blanche is being held from … Continue reading →

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Sgt Leonard E Thompson: Combat Cameraman WW2

Posted on September 30, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Being a small country (population), and a relatively new country, we seldom see our heros get recognition. Sgt Thomson is a fine example. The Canadian Film & Photo Unit website recounts many tales of the Canadian photographers who recorded … Continue reading →

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shooting product photos today

Posted on September 29, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. I know, I know, we are an historical society but after all, digital has been around for decades and how we record photographs has changed for ever, especially with vastly higher ISO ratings, lens stabilization, auto-everything and ever smaller … Continue reading →

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did ya see the collision?

Posted on September 28, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. We watched the collision Monday on local TV courtesy of photography and a camera on the DART vehicle in space. The How-to Geek web site noted the next day, “Happy Tuesday! NASA just smashed a satellite into an asteroid, … Continue reading →

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kids

Posted on September 27, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Viennese photographer, ANNA BREIT, is featured at WestLicht gallery with her series titled, “TEENS (IN THEIR ROOMS)” from September 9th to October 23rd of 2022. The gallery writes, “Parallel to the World Press Photo exhibition, WestLicht is showing the current … Continue reading →

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