Author Archives: Robert

lots of stuff …

Posted on January 14, 2024 by Robert

Toronto.  As we start another new year, PHSC has began to get some dates firmed up. Our next Toronto Meeting will be a Show and Tell on ZOOM next month (February, 2024); The next auction takes place May 5th at … Continue reading →

Posted in activities | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on lots of stuff …

what the heck?

Posted on January 13, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Around 1931, Leitz decided to make their tiny Leica an interchangeable lens camera and produced the first few new focal length lenses. Within a year, the Leica’s film to lens mount distance was standardized and thereafter any screw mount … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on what the heck?

more on making it better

Posted on January 12, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. When Leitz made special enlarging lenses, the first such lens was the VAROB made from about 1933 through 1939. Some people considered the VAROB lens an Elmar lens in a special barrel for use on an enlarger. Others, like … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on more on making it better

remember when

Posted on January 11, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. George Dunbar sent me this shot of the Kodak Canada campus in Mount Dennis (now part of Toronto) around 1930. You can see the fields that are no longer empty. My uncle and my father had a garage (auto wreckers) … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on remember when

Dail M for …

Posted on January 10, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. … Dr Mandler. The late Walter Mandler was a world renown camera lens designer. The link takes you to his eulogy by Rolf Fricke. This eulogy was published in volume 5-2 of the PHSC newsletter in May, 2005. Dr … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Dail M for …

photography for the masses

Posted on January 9, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Within months  of when photography began, word of the new art spread around the world. Studios (and charlatans) soon sprung up catering to people desiring a ‘likeness’. To be successful in this new art one needed to be technical … Continue reading →

Posted in activities-other | Tagged , | Comments Off on photography for the masses

flash for cash

Posted on January 8, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Post war there was a pent-up demand for commercial products. Cars were in short supply; telephones had a wait list while new cables were added; and many other goods were similarly in short supply. New ideas popped up everywhere … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on flash for cash

when a print in 60 seconds was fast!

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. What a heady time! WW2 was over a decade earlier; improvements in photography came fast and furious, and everyone wanted to get in on the game. Faster films; more colour options; better lighting; flash bulbs; portable electronic flash; etc. … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on when a print in 60 seconds was fast!

remembering Elliott

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. The photograph at left was taken years ago by talented Magnum photographer and filmmaker, Elliott Erwitt. Elliott died just over a month ago at 95. In the spring of 2011, on the occasion of Mr Erwitt receiving ICP’s “Infinity … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on remembering Elliott

Camerama Feb 4, 2024

Posted on January 5, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. My friend Gary Perry sent me this reminder recently: “Happy New Year Everyone!  Please note that our next Camerama Camera Show is coming up on Sunday, February 04, 2024. See flyer attached for details. Now in our 28th Year! … Continue reading →

Posted in activities-other | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Camerama Feb 4, 2024