Category Archives: history

a couple of rare birds …

Posted on November 29, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. The cover shot for issue 25-5 featured two rare 35mm cameras from the 1930s  and early 1940s courtesy of Shelton Chen (HIT Camera owner, Karsh expert). Inside, editor Bob Lansdale added this choice description of the two cameras: “Our … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on a couple of rare birds …

inclement weather can make great photos

Posted on November 28, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. In collecting old photos, one source may be old photographic greeting cards. Our journal editor, the late Bob Lansdale, wrote this article and anecdote from a conversation with the previous journal editor, the late EvRoseborough. Bob Writes, “As we … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on inclement weather can make great photos

a tale of the shutter tester

Posted on November 25, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Editor Bob Lansdale published a number of extra page journals to celebrate our 25th. In issue 25-4, Past President, the late Ron Anger, wrote an article titled, “The Shutter Tester” (back then, camera collectors and users often attempted to … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on a tale of the shutter tester

what about the …

Posted on November 24, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. …Tasmanian Leica Lens? In celebration of our 25th anniversary, editor Bob Lansdale cajoled the editors of our exchange journals to offer up an article for Photographic Canadiana. Ray Moss of the LHSA submitted Chris Kok’s article, “The Tasmanian Leica … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on what about the …

Ja, das ist gut!

Posted on November 19, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. After WW1, Germany faced high inflation and had a serious need for foreign funds.  Mergers and consolidation within German industries was in the air! For example, its camera industry was a conglomeration of relatively small firms who spent their … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Ja, das ist gut!

a lasting memory …

Posted on November 18, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. When the military returned from the Korean war, some US reported brought along a new and challenging professional camera made in Japan- a Nikon SLR. In time Nikons became one of the two makes preferred by professionals. The other … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on a lasting memory …

you could shoot a cannon …

Posted on November 17, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. … at sunset down the street … ia an old expression to describe a sleepy town. Slightly mis-spelt, Canon is one of the two significant camera makes currently preferred by professionals. Like many makers, Canon digital cameras were preceded … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on you could shoot a cannon …

speaking of curiosity …

Posted on November 16, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. … did you ever wonder about the old film/plate lenses in your collection? In 1971, I spotted Kingslake’s 1951 opus. “Lenses in Photography” used and bought it. In 1989 Kingslake released, “A History of the Photographic Lens”. Published by … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on speaking of curiosity …

curiouser and curiouser …

Posted on November 15, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. The good reverend Dodgson (a.k.a. Lewis Carroll) was both a photographer and author (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland , anyone?). He was a  contemporary of  Julia Margaret Cameron, who he took in a portrait. Unfortunately, few of his photographs survive. … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on curiouser and curiouser …

medal worthy?

Posted on November 14, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. When the USA joined WW2 in 1941, it lost access to German cameras. Local manufacturing tried to plug the gap. Kodak provided a bulky “120” size camera in 1941 that lasted to 1948. The monster (about three pounds!) had … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on medal worthy?