Author Archives: Robert

before auto focus II

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. In the late 1800s when film came along, a simple swapping of media/ground glass in the camera was no longer an option. Initially box camera designs were used with fixed lenses of small apertures/large f-stops allowing everything from 6-10 … Continue reading →

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before auto-focus – I

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Before auto focus came along, photographers needed to both frame and focus the subject as well as decide on the best exposure (shutter speed/lens aperture/lighting). With the digital technology of today, many folks don’t even think about focussing. For … Continue reading →

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open wide, wider

Posted on March 22, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. As a camera collector, old lenses have always been an interest – especially wide angle lenses such as the Protar at left or the Pantoscop by Emil Busch. The traditional ‘portrait’ lens is a medium Telephoto. The focal length … Continue reading →

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not so far, far, away

Posted on March 21, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. I took this shot a couple of decades ago at our Fair in 2006. Along with cameras, I collected lenses, books, brochures, etc, that offered information on the history of photography. I imagine other camera collectors collect lenses too, … Continue reading →

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another use for paper …

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. The idea of roll film revitalized the use of sensitized paper (negatives). In fact various roll film mechanisms were developed to use the medium in cameras. An example is the Warnerke Roll Film Holder. Editor Robert Lansdale wrote about … Continue reading →

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a DAR mystery train

Posted on March 19, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Collectors of old images sometimes concentrate on transportation photos, or have a subset of their collection comprising of transportation/train photos. Here is a mystery you perhaps can solve. Jeff Ward in Halifax dropped me a line the other day … Continue reading →

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flying off the shelf …

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. … Like a bat out of hell. In late 1948, Edwin Land dropped a bombshell on the photographic world.  He put to market a revolutionary camera and film system that took a monochrome photo and developed the positive print … Continue reading →

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top ‘o the mornin’ to ya

Posted on March 17, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. As we near St Pattie’s day, this is a suitable post. It is based on a follow up article titled “A SECOND LOOK …”. Editor Lansdale expands on photographer John Turner reporting a lens swap between Dr Mike Robinson … Continue reading →

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a different Montreal studio

Posted on March 16, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. We have all heard about the famous Notman studio on Bleury in Montreal. Here is another studio on the corner of Bleury and Craig. This is the Summerhayes & Walford studio on second and third floors of the building. Editor … Continue reading →

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fairs past, fairs present

Posted on March 15, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Our spring fair a quarter century ago, was held just north of the city in the Soccer Centre. Mark Singer added a free bus service from the TTC subway for the convenience of  some attendees. The centre also offered … Continue reading →

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