Category Archives: history

flying off the shelf …

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. … Like a bat out of hell. In late 1948, Edwin Land dropped a bombshell on the photographic world.  He put to market a revolutionary camera and film system that took a monochrome photo and developed the positive print … Continue reading →

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top ‘o the mornin’ to ya

Posted on March 17, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. As we near St Pattie’s day, this is a suitable post. It is based on a follow up article titled “A SECOND LOOK …”. Editor Lansdale expands on photographer John Turner reporting a lens swap between Dr Mike Robinson … Continue reading →

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a different Montreal studio

Posted on March 16, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. We have all heard about the famous Notman studio on Bleury in Montreal. Here is another studio on the corner of Bleury and Craig. This is the Summerhayes & Walford studio on second and third floors of the building. Editor … Continue reading →

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seen any ‘lizards’ recently?

Posted on March 13, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Most of our event offerings are either German or North American. Occasionally we see English products. Rarely do we see Scottish cameras. The remarkable camera in Bill Belier’s issue 27-1 column is a rare Lizars (not lizard) from Scotland. … Continue reading →

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everything old is new again

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. There is a saying that there is nothing new under the sun. As a kid, I made a radio with a tiny bit of ‘fools gold’ (iron pyrite) and a thin copper wire ‘cat’s whisker’. This rustic semi-conductor radio … Continue reading →

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all in a row

Posted on March 6, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Those wanting to make the odd close-up but not wanting to pay for fancy accessories resorted to extension tubes – those tubes that fit between the camera body and lens to extend the lens for closer subjects. Most camera … Continue reading →

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its getting closer

Posted on March 5, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. As Leitz moved to the phenomenally successful M-series cameras, the accessories changed to complement the new line. A strange ‘bug-eyed’ little gadget called a SOOKY-M is just such a wonder. Like the screw mount NOOKY, this gadget gives the … Continue reading →

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Hey, Rita!

Posted on March 4, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Pre WW2, standalone meters began to appear. The more expensive ones used a selenium cell. In 1951, camera-mounted meters came along, often with a means to attach a booster cell. Selenium meters (and older) were okay in sunlight but … Continue reading →

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a penny for your thoughts

Posted on March 1, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. When the widely popular little Leica cameras first came out in the mid 1920s they were very utilitarian in design. To meet demand for features and versatility, Leitz made accessories. In many cases an accessory simply over-came an earlier … Continue reading →

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well, how about flora then?

Posted on February 27, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Experienced collectors of images can be quite choosey. Particular processes, older photos, famous people, etc., the list goes on. A sub-category of photos may include flora of various stripes such as blossoms, cacti, plants, trees, etc. While this colour … Continue reading →

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