Category Archives: history

Dektol the halls …

Posted on November 13, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Just past mid last century, I used Kodak’s Dektol developer to process prints. Those who are frugal and wish to “roll their own” can use the D-72 formula in the old “Photo-Lab-Index” (not the compact one) or just browse … Continue reading →

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hello darkness, my old friend (II)

Posted on November 12, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Throughout most of the plate/film era a darkroom was de regueur to see the negative exposure as a positive plate or print. For many years a red/yellowish safe light – black to non-panchromatic emulsions but visible to the human … Continue reading →

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just a couple of pin holes …

Posted on November 5, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Continuing the theme of volume 25, Editor Lansdale reprinted an article by Paul Gentry titled “THE STEREO PINHOLE: A ‘Hands On’ Approach to 3-D Photography”. The article and illustrations are courtesy of the NSA. Paul begins, “Pinhole and stereo … Continue reading →

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more than cameras

Posted on October 30, 2025 by Robert

Toronto.  Collectors of photography generally divide into collectors of cameras and collectors of photos. But either group might collect the accessories and ephemera related to their collection. Stereo buffs – cameras or photos might also collect various viewers, projectors, light … Continue reading →

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sans photography …

Posted on October 28, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Have you ever heard of a”chemigraph”?  It is an engraving made on a metal (zinc) plate using chemicals instead of photography. The word originated in German combining chem- + -graph The image can be reproduced as a platinum print. … Continue reading →

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a button for Christmas …

Posted on October 26, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Long before television, people could view stereo cards at home to see the world, learn new things, and view comedy. Games used simple objects found in any home. Even in the 1940s, I can remember playing the button game … Continue reading →

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a plus one… ?

Posted on October 24, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. My friend Les Jones, sent me an email the other day about some items for last Sunday’s fair. In part he referred to a camera called EXA from c1950. It was embossed ‘USSR Occupied’. I happen to have a … Continue reading →

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the right POV

Posted on October 22, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Dry plate technology introduced ‘detective’ cameras – hand held cameras disguised as satchels, purses, boxes, etc. usable without the give-away of a tripod. Once potential subjects recognized this new variation of camera, another means of  secrecy had to be … Continue reading →

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Film Formats 1930-60

Posted on October 21, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Those of us who know only digital photography, likely never used film. For our 25th Anniversary, editor Lansdale prodded exchange member editors to offer one article each for our anniversary edition of Photographic Canadiana. The boys from ‘Down Under’ … Continue reading →

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we all have regrets …

Posted on October 19, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. For our 25th Anniversary, editor Bob Lansdale worked his network of exchange journal editors to pony up an article for this volume of our journal – Photographic Canadiana. The WCPHA (Western Canada Photographic Historical Association) had a friendly debate … Continue reading →

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