Author Archives: Robert

a flash in the pan

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Robert

Toronto. For Christmas 1951 I received the gift of a Brownie Hawk-eye kit with a camera (box), a roll of 620  film, flash  bulbs, flash-gun, dry cells for the gun and a plastic protector to hang over the flash-gun in … Continue reading →

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x-rays reveal an image hidden by damage

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Robert

Toronto. I had a call from John Linsky Friday morning as I was making breakfast. John had read an article in the Globe that morning regarding the discovery of images on a daguerreotype thought to be long lost. The scientists … Continue reading →

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The Diana Instant Square

Posted on June 24, 2018 by Robert

Toronto. Those of you who have frequented our fairs have seen many versions of the 1960s Diana camera over the years. It was a cheap little film camera taking 120 film. The folks at Lomography USA have embraced the little … Continue reading →

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a free lesson in optics

Posted on June 23, 2018 by Robert

Toronto. In July, 1936 Ernst Leitz in Wetzlar published a free booklet called Lens Tables for use with the Leica Camera. The version I have was produced for and made available from the New York distributor for Leitz products.  It … Continue reading →

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Christmas ad for a Leica c1950

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Robert

Toronto. Some time  back I did a post on Leitz finally getting  internal flash sync in their cameras. George Dunbar came across this LIFE ad in their November 27, 1950 issue suggesting the new Leica IIIf and a Leitz flash … Continue reading →

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the world’s most exciting camera in 1950?

Posted on June 21, 2018 by Robert

Toronto. In its October 30th, 1950 advertisement in LIFE magazine, Polaroid touted its camera as “The World’s Most Exciting” and “this year’s most wanted [Christmas] gift“. While this was typical marketing fluff, Polaroid was right. In a world used to … Continue reading →

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Cowan’s American History: Premier Auction June 22nd

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Robert

Toronto. I had an email from the Daguerreian Society a few days ago on the 14th announcing the latest Cowan’s American History Premier Auction  this Friday, June 22nd in Cincinnati, Ohio. Featured are numerous dags, ambros, tintypes, and albumen photographs … Continue reading →

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Weegee in comics

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Robert

Toronto. Arthur Fellig was a cigar smoking, messy, rumpled NYC night crime scene  photographer in the 1930s and 40s. He was the subject of many articles as a Speed Graphic camera toting shameless self promotor. Now he has been immortalized … Continue reading →

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early photography

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Robert

Toronto. PHSC co-founder John Linsky sent me an email the other day suggesting this excellent site for early photographic cameras and equipment. Early Photography as the site is named, is based in the UK and as such is weighted towards … Continue reading →

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Magical Mystery (Makeover Studio) Tour

Posted on June 17, 2018 by Robert

Toronto. PHSC Meeting, Wed, June 20, 2018 at 7:00 pm In the BURGUNDY ROOM of the Memorial Hall Magical Mystery Makeover Studio Tour – Yvette Bessels In May of 1967, the Beatles released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band as … Continue reading →

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