Category Archives: history

faster than a speeding bullet

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. When photography was invented, exposures were measured in minutes. Between then and the end of film’s popularity something happened: Speed. The light sensitive media and lenses through research and innovation became much faster. In fact, after dry plates arrived, … Continue reading →

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slow train

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. In the early years of the minicam, leaf shutters were often used to allow for slow speeds. The early focal plane shutter Leicas had speeds from about   1/500 second down to about 1/20th second when both curtains were … Continue reading →

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Okey-Bokehy

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. A recent post on depth of field prompted a note from my friend George Dunbar along with a photo for a red IBM  Selectric typewriter (remember those machines with the flying golf balls of interchangeable typefaces?). For the ad, … Continue reading →

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you move too fast

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Once dry plates were in common use, shutters became a necessity to make reproducible second and sub-second exposures. If “you move too fast“, you are blurry even though the shutter is set to ‘I’ for instantaneous. As years went … Continue reading →

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the invention of movies

Posted on September 27, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. In North America, we usually think of Thomas Edison when considering that aspect of history. In Europe, credit is usually given to the Lumière brothers of France (of Autochrome fame). Actual work on motion predates photography when mechanical devices were … Continue reading →

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controlling depth of field

Posted on September 26, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. As a general rule, the longer the focal length of a lens, the smaller its maximum possible f/stop and the less its depth of field. Conversely, the shorter the focal length, the greater the depth of field and the … Continue reading →

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fast photo prints in 1924

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. In the days before the end of the broad popularity of film, you could take your exposed colour rolls to a fast film service outlet like Black’s or Japan Camera and see the prints in an hour. In the … Continue reading →

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ya got mail

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Any group or society needs to have a list of its members, including photo historical societies. Our society was founded in late 1974 and began to issue a regular newsletter/journal in March 1975. Most members are paying members. That, … Continue reading →

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photographica c1925

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. The magazine Science & Industry addressed the wide audience of tinkers and experimenters (mostly boys and youths) and as such it included a wide range of things. In this example article, a camera is shown, but unnamed. The take home … Continue reading →

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making it better

Posted on September 20, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Flashcubes had four tiny flash bulbs and allowed four flash shots by rotating 90 degrees after each shot. Magic cubes looked the same but were ignited by mechanical energy instead of batteries. In 1967, Honeywell made two flashcube alternatives for … Continue reading →

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