Category Archives: history

hop on the band wagon

Posted on August 8, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Last century many new (to North America and Europe) camera makers incorporated and touted the latest fads hoping to increase market share. Yashica was no exception with its Electro 35. Yashica used Space Age, Atomic age, and Transistors while … Continue reading →

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both sides now

Posted on August 6, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Most of us collect photographs as well as cameras, equipment, books, ephemera, etc. The photographs are usually selected for their process, quality, studio, or possibly subject matter. The picture at left is a positive image of a 4×5 dry … Continue reading →

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a wonderful talk on photographic history

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. It seems everyone has gone on line in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. Founder Alan Griffiths of Luminous-Lint fame (down in Halifax, NS) will be speaking this coming August 9th (Sunday). As with some of these talks, there is … Continue reading →

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you scratch my back …

Posted on August 4, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. … and I’ll scratch yours. Or so the saying goes. In an August 5th, 1966 ad on page 71 of LIFE magazine, Scotch tape maker 3M in Minnesota collaborated with camera maker Revere to offer a Kodak 126 cartridge … Continue reading →

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a little BIT more

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Over the years from photography’s beginning in 1839 to current times there have been a few trends. Cameras have gotten smaller. Images became more realistic beginning with monochrome photos across part of the visible spectrum, then across all of … Continue reading →

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minicams and interchangeability

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. The 35mm cameras were off and running in the late 1920s. Leitz touted their Leica as a precision camera and set out to compete with the physically far bigger cameras of the day, claiming that a small negative could … Continue reading →

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swinging ’60s

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. The swinging ’60s! What a glorious time to be alive! In that era Polaroid introduced it’s most popular camera of all, the Swinger. This simplified camera took black and white photos, developed outside the camera and gave you a … Continue reading →

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why the tripod?

Posted on July 27, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Did you ever wonder why so many old photos and drawings of cameras in use showed a tripod? Until the dry-plate era, the media were so insensitive that it took  seconds or minutes in bright light to record the … Continue reading →

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the keepers of night

Posted on July 25, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Since photography began there was always some means to keep the plates or film protected from the light.  When the Leica and its competitors arrived. Leitz made a very heavy and elaborate reusable cassette that opened only in-camera as … Continue reading →

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top this!

Posted on July 24, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. In the days of film, it was common to have contests. One such contest was for the best table-top photo. Author, Sports-photographer, and past PHSC president Les Jones sent me a note the other day along with this link … Continue reading →

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