Author Archives: Robert

like no other …

Posted on November 23, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. The name Petzval is familiar to photographic historians and collectors. The original lens won a contest for a fast portrait lens shortly after the invention of the Daguerreotype technology was released. Eder’s book on the History of Photography (Dover … Continue reading →

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get a move on …

Posted on November 22, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Our favourite editor is at it again! The latest issue of photoEd – the MOVEMENT edition – is out now. See Rita Godlevskis’s latest opus on newsstands now and read her latest photo posting here. Some introductory statements (at … Continue reading →

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when the winds of November come calling …

Posted on November 21, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. November has arrived, just in time for Exec meeting #63. The meeting was held via ZOOM on Wednesday, November 5th. Exec meeting #62 in October missed being posted. Treasurer, John Morden, sent out his report before the meeting  reporting … Continue reading →

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a game changer

Posted on November 20, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. When 35mm movie film ‘ends’ were common, various cameras using the ends were sold, but failed to gain traction – until a century ago when a little German camera from a optical house specializing in microscopes introduced the Leica … Continue reading →

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Ja, das ist gut!

Posted on November 19, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. After WW1, Germany faced high inflation and had a serious need for foreign funds.  Mergers and consolidation within German industries was in the air! For example, its camera industry was a conglomeration of relatively small firms who spent their … Continue reading →

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a lasting memory …

Posted on November 18, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. When the military returned from the Korean war, some US reported brought along a new and challenging professional camera made in Japan- a Nikon SLR. In time Nikons became one of the two makes preferred by professionals. The other … Continue reading →

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you could shoot a cannon …

Posted on November 17, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. … at sunset down the street … ia an old expression to describe a sleepy town. Slightly mis-spelt, Canon is one of the two significant camera makes currently preferred by professionals. Like many makers, Canon digital cameras were preceded … Continue reading →

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speaking of curiosity …

Posted on November 16, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. … did you ever wonder about the old film/plate lenses in your collection? In 1971, I spotted Kingslake’s 1951 opus. “Lenses in Photography” used and bought it. In 1989 Kingslake released, “A History of the Photographic Lens”. Published by … Continue reading →

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curiouser and curiouser …

Posted on November 15, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. The good reverend Dodgson (a.k.a. Lewis Carroll) was both a photographer and author (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland , anyone?). He was a  contemporary of  Julia Margaret Cameron, who he took in a portrait. Unfortunately, few of his photographs survive. … Continue reading →

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medal worthy?

Posted on November 14, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. When the USA joined WW2 in 1941, it lost access to German cameras. Local manufacturing tried to plug the gap. Kodak provided a bulky “120” size camera in 1941 that lasted to 1948. The monster (about three pounds!) had … Continue reading →

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