Author Archives: Robert

belly-button school of photography

Posted on May 27, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. Camera makers tried to categorize their products as having a better way to make photos. Using a waist level finder was one way – introducing the “belly-button school of photography” – a term of which I had never heard … Continue reading →

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shine a light on me 2

Posted on May 26, 2019 by Robert

M2 PowerMite flash bulb ad in LIFE magazine Toronto. In the 1950s one big opportunity was assisting amateurs to make night or indoor shots. General Electric (GE) was well respected at the time for manufacturing light bulbs. They saw two … Continue reading →

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they’re coming, they’re coming

Posted on May 25, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. Not the Russians like the old movie title, but the Japanese camera makers. Until after the Korean War in the early 1950s, the Japanese industry made little inroads in the west. This changed when Americans discovered the Nikon F … Continue reading →

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happy Victoria day to you too!

Posted on May 24, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. The Monday on or before May 24th has been known as Victoria day in Canada (except in Quebec whose citizens take the holiday but call it National Patriots Day instead).  The holiday is designated as an annual celebration of … Continue reading →

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fly me to the moon

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. An event occurred during the summer a half century ago that sparked the imagination of everyone! Man first walked on the moon. I was living in Montreal at the time. My first child was born that summer. And I … Continue reading →

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in Vitessa we trust

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. On the eve of being absorbed by the mighty Zeiss organization, Voigtlander marketed a number of cameras featuring their lenses plus some unique operating features. The series called Vitessa from the 1950s was one such series. The earlier versions … Continue reading →

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1840

Posted on May 21, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. One of the difficulties experienced by the earliest practitioners of the Daguerreotype process was the lack of speed, This was exacerbated by Daguerre’s use of an f/19 meniscus lens in his camera. In 1840, Josef Petzval partially solved this … Continue reading →

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Dr R G Wilson – a celebration of life

Posted on May 20, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. As mentioned earlier this month, the life of PHSC member and past president Dr Robert Wilson will be celebrated at the Morley Bedford Funeral Home on Eglinton Ave.,  just two stop lights west of Yonge Street. An obituary appeared … Continue reading →

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springing the BIG ONE

Posted on May 19, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. Some things change, some don’t! We have held the spring fair for over 40 years now. Come on down to the Trident Hall in south Etobicoke (south-west Toronto to visitors) and see what you can add to your personal … Continue reading →

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nailed it!

Posted on May 18, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. In the 1970s while living in Montreal, I saw a newspaper ad and went off one weekend to the English enclave of Montreal West to look at a Kodak 3A autographic folder. The camera complete with case cost $25. … Continue reading →

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