Category Archives: history

smartphone, anyone?

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. This November, 1934 article from Popular Mechanics brought back memories. Mid last century, the telephone was still voice-only in spite of this article decades earlier. As a young employee of “Ma Bell’, I remember Bell Labs in New Jersey … Continue reading →

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watch da birdie

Posted on July 11, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. As WW2 was winding down, companies became more innovative in their advertising. Pepsi-Cola – the major competitor to Coke – tried a humorous approach using a cartoon based on the old idea of a studio photographer capturing a portrait … Continue reading →

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night scenes

Posted on July 10, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Today’s savvy smartphone and digital camera users would roll their collective eyes at anyone touting ‘night scenes’ as a big deal. But it really was back in the mid 1930s in the days of slow film and generally slow … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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