Author Archives: Robert

How many cameras does it take?

Posted on June 18, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. The other day George Dunbar sent me a photograph by Doug Mills of the NY Times. Mills snapped the recent hearing into the firing of James Comey, ex FBI Director by President Trump. To mark his photo as unique, … Continue reading →

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PHSC News for June 2017

Posted on June 17, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. The pdf newsletter was sent out Friday morning to everyone on the mailing list. Editor Sonja Pushchak has produced another entertaining newsletter of 13 pages. The front page article discussed “Fab Film Stars” – not quite the stars we … Continue reading →

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A Flash of Inspiration

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. My good friend David Bridge recently did a study of a little flash synchronizer intended to be used in the days when flash bulbs were common but in-camera flash sync was not.  His comments prompted me to dig out … Continue reading →

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Fred Spira and Photographic History

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. The late Fred Spira of New York City made his fortune and fame creating and selling inexpensive photographic lenses and accessories as well as importing many Japanese products from the late 1940s, all sold under the Spiratone brand. He … Continue reading →

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Family Focus at the Archives of Toronto

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. David Tyler of the Archives of Ontario invites the PHSC members to join him on the inaugural day of the new exhibit of family portraits. David writes, “The Archives of Ontario invites you to attend the reception and opening … Continue reading →

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Some Thoughts on Optical Institutions

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Robert

Toronto.An optical institution was a German optical workshop turning out various optical devices and lenses. Other countries used other names. As cameras and binoculars and microscopes became popular,  brands like Zeiss, Zeiss-Ikon, Leitz, Ross, Bausch & Lomb, Rochester Optical, Kodak, … Continue reading →

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CAMERA – A History of Photography from Daguerreotype to Digital

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. At our May 1999 meeting we had the pleasure of hearing Todd Gustavson talk about the Cameras of George Eastman House (GEH). A decade later in 2009, Todd published a book titled “CAMERA – A History of Photography from … Continue reading →

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Review of Book on 19th Century French Lenses

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. I did this review for Bob Lansdale back on August 3rd, 2013. At the time, the author had sent the book to Bob for review and write up in the journal Photographic Canadiana. This the review I wrote at … Continue reading →

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Stefano Cerio, Italian Photographer

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Robert

Toronto.  The Parisian Gallery GADCOLLECTION sent me notice that it currently has an exhibition titled Amusement Places featuring photographs by Italian photographer Stefano Cerio. The exhibition runs from 8 to 29 June 2017. “Stefano Cerio lives and works in Rome … Continue reading →

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Book on 19th Century German Lenses

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. Journal editor Bob Lansdale loaned me the second book in Corrado D’Agostini’s series on 19th Century Photographic Lenses. Both are sold in the US by Camerabooks.com. This book is posted as costing $109 USD plus shipping. The first book in 19th … Continue reading →

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