Author Archives: Robert

just like a Leica

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. When we were first organized in the 1970s, Leicas, Zeiss-Ikons and other old cameras were everywhere at reasonable prices. We had red curtain Leicas, K (German for ball bearing) stamped curtains (these shutter worked reliably under very low temperature … Continue reading →

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Kodak goes to war

Posted on May 4, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. It was massive, heavy, and awkward to use, but with a great lens. It was the Medalist I 620 camera. Kodak built it for the US and British military after Germany cut off the German supply of cameras including … Continue reading →

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not with a bang, but a whimper

Posted on May 3, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. Talk about bad timing laced with bad decisions! Zeiss introduced the Contarex SLR just as Nippon Kogaku introduced it’s Nikon F. The Contarex was an engineer’s dream – a massive three pounds; over 1,000 parts per camera body; every … Continue reading →

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yikes! that’s big

Posted on May 2, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. Around year 2000, digital technology took off with sensors only a few mega pixels in size. Look what the whiz kids have done about two decades later! Modern day smart phones use a 12 mp sensor plus a computer … Continue reading →

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Photographic Canadiana Vol 47-1

Posted on May 1, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. Our editor is at it again – its been a bit windy and soggy here in the big smoke. Bob Lansdale had this issue nearly ready weeks ago and has 47-2 well underway! Yesterday, members WITH an email address received … Continue reading →

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picture perfect – Thaddeus Holownia book

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Robert

Toronto.  I had an email from PHSC president Clint Hryhorijiw the other day. The email contained a link to this book release on a site called, “BK On The Scene“. The book post was dated April 21st of this year … Continue reading →

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light my fire

Posted on April 29, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. Back to the very beginnings of photography, savvy studio artists used lighting to model their subjects, control contrast, and at just the right instant capture the fire or essence of each subject. Over the decades, books have proliferated with … Continue reading →

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if not for you …

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. … my lens would unscrew. Photographers know that the infinity focus setting sets the lens at its closest to the film/sensor plane. For close-ups, the lens is extended further from the film/sensor plane. Box cameras for film often had … Continue reading →

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making it big, making it better – again

Posted on April 27, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. Cartes des Visite or CDVs came along in the early 1850s with wet-plate technology and stayed popular for about 15 years. The actual photograph, on albumen paper, curled into a tight cylinder making a stiff backing necessary. Cards of … Continue reading →

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Brandon Leung – Ryerson Thesis Winner for 2020

Posted on April 26, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. I was pleased to hear from our 2nd Vice-president, Ashley Cook at the AGM this month. Ashley co-ordinates the review and selection of the Ryerson Thesis winner each year. In spite of the radical changes in society invoked by … Continue reading →

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