Author Archives: Robert

les films noir et blanc

Toronto. When Englishman Dick Maddox announced the dry plate in 1870, he set a course for the future of photography. The invention and expansion of celluloid materials set the stage for emulsion substrates lighter than glass. Around 1886 roll film … Continue reading

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where is it now?

Toronto. Brodie MacPherson’s one of a kind colour camera, we mean. Editor Bob Lansdale is busy doing an article on the late Brodie MacPherson and would like to know where his camera ended up. If you know, drop me an … Continue reading

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Happy Canada Day Y’all

Toronto. What a great day to celebrate! On this day in 1867, our country took on a life of its own. And we owe it all to our dear friensd to the south, The American civil war of the 1860s … Continue reading

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a hazardous accessory

Toronto. We often consider the tripod as an innocuous accessory to stabilize photos and movies. The skit shown when the icon at left  is clicked shows just how risky that nefarious accessory can be. The tripod in question was used … Continue reading

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OMG OM-D

Toronto. Olympus cameras have been around since 1936. Their big fresh egg last century was small SLR film cameras when most film SLRS were huge machines. The famous Japanese optical house founded in 1919 made many other instruments including well … Continue reading

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four, square, and fake?

Toronto. With the ever challenging push for market share, Kodak slayed inept film changing with its Kodapak 126 for Instamatics and the flash bulb fumble with a four pack of mini flash bulbs in its flashcube that goes off and … Continue reading

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Amalgamated Photo History Newsletters

Toronto. Since we are unable to hold our regular monthly meetings – the pandemic dropped the curtain on us – members received this pdf version of the amalgamated newsletters from our exchange members who gave their blessing for inclusion in … Continue reading

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Jack be nimble

Toronto. The Donald upset many high level politicians. He dissed friendly states and embraced enemy states. He told porkies galore. He is reviled by many in his own party. His idea of reconciliation is to blame everything on the opposition … Continue reading

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good money after bad

Toronto. This is what we said when someone spent added money on a lost cause. Sometimes a better way didn’t gain traction in the marketplace and fell in the dustbin of history. This happened to Agfa-Gevaert’s rapid film system. When … Continue reading

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that’s the spirit

Toronto.  Within a year of the January 1839 announcement of Daguerre’s process in Paris, the new way to create images was known world-wide. By the early 1840s every major city had a daguerreotype portrait studio. Boston was no different. The … Continue reading

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