Author Archives: Robert

Bolex? Bollocks!

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. Bolex from Paillard of Switzerland, was indeed the preeminent movie camera maker for 16mm and later 8mm cameras, but this spread (pp58-60) in the December 2, 1957 LIFE magazine sucks since it lists ONLY American dealers in spite of … Continue reading →

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from Talbot to Stieglitz

Posted on August 31, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. In March 1991, the PHSC presented me with this book in the hard cover version. The NY Public Library (or NYC Public Library as I have it listed) became a long time member of the PHSC and remains an … Continue reading →

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a camera for the common man

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. I first heard American composer Aaron Copland’s “fanfare for the common man” back in late 1957 when I picked up a Westminster LP titled “Copland“. And like Copland’s well covered composition, the little Minolta was indeed made for the … Continue reading →

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I don’t believe it!

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. This was the catch phrase the old curmudgeon Mr. Meldrew used in  the decade long British  sitcom “One Foot in the Grave“. Meldrew was played by the Scottish actor Richard Wilson. When I saw this page 9 ad from … Continue reading →

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brave new world

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. Aldous Huxley wrote his novel “Brave New World” in 1931. As a youth I read a paper back copy of the story. back in the time when a profusion of paper back titles offered a cheap education to everyone. … Continue reading →

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… blinding me with science …

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. The second release of Thomas Dolby‘s CD “The Golden Age of Wireless” (after the song “She’s Blinding Me With Science” became a hit single in 1982 and was added to the CD) was the inspiration for this post.  In … Continue reading →

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collecting and using classic cameras

Posted on August 26, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. When I joined the newly formed PHSC back in 1975, I was looking for good used lenses and accessories for my Leica M4 which I bought a few years earlier. In the late 1970s, I ordered Dr Neill Wright’s … Continue reading →

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isn’t it ironic

Posted on August 25, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. As Alanis Morissette sings on her 1993 album “Jagged Little Pill“. The irony is that the camera with the highest Mpx in the house is a P30-Lite smartphone by Huawei with a 27mm (equivalent) ASPH f/1.8 24 Mpx rating. … Continue reading →

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Lenses in Photography

Posted on August 24, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. The late Rudolf Kingslake was born and educated in London, England. In 1938 he joined Eastman Kodak in Rochester NY as a lens designer. By the time he published this book in 1951, he was the Director of Optical … Continue reading →

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Karl goes digital

Posted on August 23, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. Mankind has always been fascinated with transportation: horses, trains, bicycles, cars, ships, aircraft, etc. As a kid I always thought Henry Ford invented the automobile. Not so! Ford adapted the assembly line to automobile manufacture and dropped the cost … Continue reading →

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