Author Archives: Robert

binocular vision

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. My first visit to Toronto Camera was in 1960 when they were on Church Street. I remember buying a Hansa Enlarger and Braun slide projector plus some chemicals and paper. I also picked up a copy of their July … Continue reading →

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plus ça change

Posted on April 13, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. It is said that the more things change, the more they are the same. Like the Zeiss Sonnar lens for example. Larry Gubas in his massive text “Zeiss and Photography” shows the Sonnar as it was initially sold in … Continue reading →

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really, really, retro …

Posted on April 12, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Years ago I abandoned Kodak B&W products for Ilford. By then everything was panchromatic and ortho was but a bad dream and weird filters were no longer necessary. The world moved on to digital a decade or so ago … Continue reading →

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one-eyed monster

Posted on April 11, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Our PHSC News for April, 2020 (issue 19-10) features the odd looking Cyclops camera of the mid 1950s. Editor Sonja Pushchak and her team put out another tasty issue in spite of the nasty COVID-19 virus affecting countries world … Continue reading →

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doing it in the dark

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Snapshots from the PHS of NE via my friend and editor of the internationally famous Photographic Canadiana journal pointed out a couple of links to me Wednesday last. The Darkroom over in California is interesting. While we have local film processing … Continue reading →

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not this year

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. More impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Anne Quémy of France writes, “Hello, I am very sorry to announce the cancellation of the 57th Bièvres International Photo Fair due to the global health situation caused by the Covid-19. “We look forward … Continue reading →

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Henri does Havana

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. On page 28 of the March 15, 1963 issue of LIFE magazine begins an article on Cuba after the revolution featuring the words and photos of the great French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson. Bresson is usually thought of in terms … Continue reading →

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way too much, way too late

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. The Contarex was Zeiss-Ikon’s SLR flagship. With some 1,100 plus precision measured components, it was an engineer’s dream – and a repairman’s nightmare. The $500 US  “Bulls-eye” Contarex was announced at the 1958 Photokina but didn’t hit the shelves … Continue reading →

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imagine! colour in 60 seconds!

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. With smartphones, FaceTime, Skype, etc all using full time live video today, a still colour print in 60 seconds is a big yawn. But, picture photography in early 1963: To see any  photograph – colour or black and white, … Continue reading →

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megal what??

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Robert

Toronto.  We have featured essays from the”Fans in a Flashbulb” site from time to time. This essay is entitled, “A Time Travelling Magical Megalethoscope View of the Palace of Versailles” and was published at the end of last month. If like … Continue reading →

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