Author Archives: Robert

postcards from photographs

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. The photograph at left is taken from a postcard made from a photograph by W H Gardiner. It is used as the cover shot for issue  24-2. The image introduces a lengthy illustrated article by a lady who once … Continue reading →

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Dr Stephen Shohet 1934 – 2024

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. We at the PHSC have always welcomed all folks, world-wide. While most members are here in Canada, there is a contingent of American and other international members. Stephen was one of the latter, hailing from San Francisco. I received … Continue reading →

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Marg’s camera

Posted on June 17, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. In issue 24-2 Bill Belier continued his column “A Treasure From My Collection …” with a discussion of a British Press camera – the VN Press Focal-Plane camera. This VN was picked up at one of our fairs by … Continue reading →

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when Leitz made Leicas and lenses in Midland

Posted on June 16, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Post ww2 Leitz decided to diversify their camera and lens production by adding a plant outside Germany. According to my friend, the late Bill Belier, the Canadian distributor, Walter Carveth, suggested Canada for the new plant  and in particular … Continue reading →

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ye gads! where are my Dags?

Posted on June 15, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Some time back (October, 1997) we had a talk by Michael Pritchard of Christie’s Auction house. Their NY branch recently announced the online auction of “The Maillet Daguerreotype Collection” with bids accepted until June 26th. The  notice was carried … Continue reading →

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summertime is coming – exec meeting #59

Posted on June 14, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Meeting #59 via ZOOM was held last week with many regulars unavailable for a variety of reasons, mostly personal. Once again there were no urgent issues to be minuted and voted. The spring fair, like the spring auction was … Continue reading →

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shooting birds of different feathers …

Posted on June 13, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Victor learned his hobby before ww2 and post ww2 he designed what he felt was an ideal ‘birder’ camera, and built it in his own factory. It was a 2-1/4 SLR using a Kodak lens. The initial commercial model … Continue reading →

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ready to roll

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. The cover of issue 24-1 features John Morrison Taylor on the bike he built in Fredericton, New Brunswick. It was the first hand made bike made in Fredericton. John was the brother of G T Taylor who photographed John … Continue reading →

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suddenly, a shot rang out …

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. In the pre-ww2 days of film, the media was relatively slow and lenses were of generally smaller aperture, especially as the focal length increased. The result was to make it difficult to keep longer focal length lenses steady for … Continue reading →

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snapping some zzzzz’s

Posted on June 10, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Many of us recall the Nikon ‘F’ mount. A few years ago, Nikon came out with the larger ‘Z’ mount for its digital cameras. This larger mount is used on both full frame cameras and the smaller APS-C format … Continue reading →

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