Category Archives: history

island in the chilly sun …

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. For the cover shot of issue 27-5, editor Lansdale searched his own collection for this stereograph of Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron taken by Mr J W Love about 1865. Bob explains, “Our cover illustration is taken from a stereograph … Continue reading →

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… now divide by 16, and …

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. For over 30 years now, light values have been of little interest, especially to those brought up on digital technology. Built-in metering and very fast sensitive media automatically compensate for light levels allowing the ‘photographer’ to concentrate on framing … Continue reading →

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the autochrome and the diascope

Posted on May 18, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. The early colour processes were usually additive and as such incredibly slow. In to the mid last century the alternative was to take a good B&W portrait and colour it with special dyes. In issue 27-4, Editor Bob Lansdale … Continue reading →

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travel scenes long before television

Posted on May 13, 2026 by Robert

  Toronto. Old photo collectors search diligently for photos that complement their collections. Travel scenes are often enthusiastically collected since many more studio scenes and portraits exist today. Around 2001/2002,  Thomas Ritchie wrote the article, “Pioneers of Landscape Photography in … Continue reading →

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boating long ago and far away

Posted on May 12, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Image collectors can categorize pictures like that shown at left as ‘travel’, ‘water’, ‘canal’, ‘boats’ or even other names. The photograph was shot c1892 by Italian Paolo Salviati in Venice and titled “Rio Albrizzi”. Editor Lansdale used this shot … Continue reading →

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another second look

Posted on May 10, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Our late editor, Bob Lansdale occasionally had a column “A Second Look” where he could expand on previous articles when new information arrived. In issue 27-3 “A Second Look” follows the Dietzler Vienna lens to a new home; shows … Continue reading →

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food for thought about photos

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. In issue 27-3, George Dunbar raises a now familiar alarm in his article, “Preservation of Invisible Photographs in the 21st Century”. As George points out, the digital era made it easy to take technically excellent photographs but unless printed, … Continue reading →

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making it better … sort of …

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. The late Larry Gubas, once president of the Zeiss Historical Society, editor of its journal (Zeiss Historica), and author of a number of Zeiss historical books (including the massive Zeiss and Photography, perhaps his best publication) wrote an interesting … Continue reading →

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the tale of a long lens …

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. On a chilly February 15 night in 1983, I attended the PHSC monthly meeting as I usually did each month. A young man (Leon) approached me offering a 135mm Elmar that was once his father’s.  I declined the offer … Continue reading →

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it’s magic …

Posted on April 4, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. It seems appropriate to put Dr Robert Wilson’s book review on our site as the Magic Lantern Society is holding its “21st International Convention” here in Toronto at the Black Creek Pioneer Village this April 24-26th. I bought my … Continue reading →

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