Category Archives: history

flexing some muscle

Posted on July 9, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Argus was known for American made cameras, especially the ‘brick‘ – the Argus C3. However, the company also dabbled in TLR designs. This ad shown at left is for the Argoflex – Likely a model E given the date … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on flexing some muscle

giving it both barrels

Posted on July 8, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Kodachrome movie film was release in 1935 followed a year later as 35mm ‘slide’ film. The whole spectrum of Kodachrome films and processing were redesigned in 1938. In 1940, Kodak strongly promoted the new colour film for amateurs with … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on giving it both barrels

last call

Posted on July 5, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Twenty years ago this month was the last time I ever shot film. I used Kodak colour negative film with a rating of ASA 800 – an amazing speed at the time. The film was used during a trip … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on last call

in pursuit of colour

Posted on July 4, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. A Happy July 4th to our American friends! Here’s to a super year down south! Colour photography is an interesting  topic. Those of us who form the smart phone brigade, are used to colour as a norm and black … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on in pursuit of colour

minute men

Posted on July 3, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Old P.T. was tagged as saying, “There’s a sucker born every minute“. If not, how could the old Popular Mechanics ads attract anyone? Take for example this October, 1934 advertisement they ran aimed at all wannabe photographers: For a … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on minute men

a Kodak challenge in 1934

Posted on July 1, 2022 by Robert

Toronto.  This challenge may simply spark curiosity or indifference with the smart phone crowd, who shoot full colour indoors and out; be it sunny or gloomy; on subjects close and far (and all things in-between) then casually send the best … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on a Kodak challenge in 1934

national (USA) camera day

Posted on June 30, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. For a price, Kovels will gladly show you the latest prices for antiques – including those of a photographic nature. Yesterday, June 29th, was known down south as ‘National Camera Day‘ and celebrated as such by Kovels. As far … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on national (USA) camera day

our boys used it too

Posted on June 15, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Another use for photography was to reduce the size and weight of letters. George Dunbar shares with us an article from the February, 1943 issue of Popular Mechanics titled, “Tiny Films Speed ‘V-Mail’  to Men Overseas“. While the article touts … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on our boys used it too

a find in old New Brunswick

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Our president, Clint Hryhorijiw, found the time to send me a wonderful link that reminds us that museums are great resources for photographic historians one and all. The New Brunswick Museum posted an article back on May 2, 2022 … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on a find in old New Brunswick

have you ever seen a Foton walking … ?

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Back in September of last year, I did a post on the ill-fated B&H Foton camera. Since then, my good friend George Dunbar found another advertisement on the Futon, this time using the famous movie star Joan Crawford as … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on have you ever seen a Foton walking … ?