Category Archives: history

more on making it better

Posted on January 12, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. When Leitz made special enlarging lenses, the first such lens was the VAROB made from about 1933 through 1939. Some people considered the VAROB lens an Elmar lens in a special barrel for use on an enlarger. Others, like … Continue reading →

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remember when

Posted on January 11, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. George Dunbar sent me this shot of the Kodak Canada campus in Mount Dennis (now part of Toronto) around 1930. You can see the fields that are no longer empty. My uncle and my father had a garage (auto wreckers) … Continue reading →

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Dail M for …

Posted on January 10, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. … Dr Mandler. The late Walter Mandler was a world renown camera lens designer. The link takes you to his eulogy by Rolf Fricke. This eulogy was published in volume 5-2 of the PHSC newsletter in May, 2005. Dr … Continue reading →

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flash for cash

Posted on January 8, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Post war there was a pent-up demand for commercial products. Cars were in short supply; telephones had a wait list while new cables were added; and many other goods were similarly in short supply. New ideas popped up everywhere … Continue reading →

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when a print in 60 seconds was fast!

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. What a heady time! WW2 was over a decade earlier; improvements in photography came fast and furious, and everyone wanted to get in on the game. Faster films; more colour options; better lighting; flash bulbs; portable electronic flash; etc. … Continue reading →

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remembering Elliott

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. The photograph at left was taken years ago by talented Magnum photographer and filmmaker, Elliott Erwitt. Elliott died just over a month ago at 95. In the spring of 2011, on the occasion of Mr Erwitt receiving ICP’s “Infinity … Continue reading →

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to smartphone or not to smartphone

Posted on January 4, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. … with apologies to Will Shakespeare. Over many posts I have commented on using a smartphone camera. While I personally use the now out-of-date iPod Touch camera and its 8mp sensor; our Samsung smartphone sensor has a greater mp … Continue reading →

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smart lens …

Posted on December 31, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. We are familiar nowadays with smartphones, but what about a smart lens? Just over a century ago (1922), the lens shown here went to Australia to aid in proving a theory published in 1916. Another example of the valuable … Continue reading →

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take a squint …

Posted on December 30, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. … at the Logy Bay giant squid c1873. 150 years ago last month this photo of a giant squid put to rest the tales of sailors and fishermen, or so the CBC reported. The beginning of the CBC article … Continue reading →

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a disastrous time

Posted on December 29, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Do you remember 1906 and the massive earthquake that hit San Francisco? As I have often said, photography brings events and history to life down through the ages. There is a fault line that runs all the way to … Continue reading →

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