Author Archives: Robert

measure for measure

Posted on December 27, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Are you aware that Leitz once offered a tape measure as an accessory? The company actually offered a few differing only in the type of attachment arm. The tape was black with  chrome markings – extending for 1-1/2 metres … Continue reading →

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a Canadian-made enlarger

Posted on December 26, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Editor Ev Roseborough seems to have known and met dozens of eccentric folk in the photography business. Makers of darkroom equipment like enlargers were no different. Ev has an article in issue 19-4 of our journal titled, “J.M. Paquin, … Continue reading →

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Seasons Greetings 2024

Posted on December 25, 2024 by Robert
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revisiting an Italian viewer

Posted on December 24, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. The summer of 2019, I did a post on an Italian knock-off of a focussing slide viewer. The Al Who [L WHOO] mentioned in the above link was the code name for a Leitz 30x magnifier designed for the … Continue reading →

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some are good, some are not …

Posted on December 23, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. …business plans that is. While we can’t be sure of the web site (very cryptic today), the product announced in June, 2017 never arrived as far as I can tell. My good friend George Dunbar (who no longer has … Continue reading →

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frame subjects from afar

Posted on December 22, 2024 by Robert

  Toronto.   In early 1981, at one of our fairs, I bought an odd looking viewfinder from a Mr Hyman. Actually, he had a box of Leica stuff that I picked up. Most items were for use with  Telyt … Continue reading →

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compact but wide

Posted on December 21, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Taking advantage of the rangefinder (no need for mirror clearance) Leitz marketed a pocket watch size extra wide field of view 28m lens – the Hektor 2.8cm f/6.3 ‘HOOPY’ in 1934. This little lens allowed for ultra wide outdoor … Continue reading →

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saddle soars

Posted on December 20, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Leitz was on a roll with its accessory viewfinders complementing the squinty single focal length one built into the Leica. During WW2, cradle or saddle versions were released (1943). The version for the 9cm lens was called a SOOUT. … Continue reading →

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come here, you little rascal …

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Robert

Toronto.  … I pictured my mother saying as I ran out of the kitchen. When I was born, the movie short ‘Our Gang‘ or ‘the little Rascals’ was popular in movie houses. Leitz began marketing the Leica mid 1924. The … Continue reading →

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take a gander

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. I grew up seeing photo prints made by indifferent folk from negatives exposed in cheap Kodaks. In the late 1950s, I bought a new Exakta and finally thought I could see good resolution in the tiny 1×1.5 inch negatives. … Continue reading →

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