Category Archives: history

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Dektol the halls …

Posted on November 13, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Just past mid last century, I used Kodak’s Dektol developer to process prints. Those who are frugal and wish to “roll their own” can use the D-72 formula in the old “Photo-Lab-Index” (not the compact one) or just browse … Continue reading →

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hello darkness, my old friend (II)

Posted on November 12, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Throughout most of the plate/film era a darkroom was de regueur to see the negative exposure as a positive plate or print. For many years a red/yellowish safe light – black to non-panchromatic emulsions but visible to the human … Continue reading →

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just a couple of pin holes …

Posted on November 5, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Continuing the theme of volume 25, Editor Lansdale reprinted an article by Paul Gentry titled “THE STEREO PINHOLE: A ‘Hands On’ Approach to 3-D Photography”. The article and illustrations are courtesy of the NSA. Paul begins, “Pinhole and stereo … Continue reading →

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more than cameras

Posted on October 30, 2025 by Robert

Toronto.  Collectors of photography generally divide into collectors of cameras and collectors of photos. But either group might collect the accessories and ephemera related to their collection. Stereo buffs – cameras or photos might also collect various viewers, projectors, light … Continue reading →

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