Category Archives: history

well, this is a bit awkward …

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. The American Cinematographer for May, 1938 carried an ad for the new Eastman Focusing Finder. It was used in the 16mm Ciné-Kodak by swapping out the film magazine. The camera had to be on a tripod or use some … Continue reading →

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reproduction of a famous camera and lens

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. The evening of February 17th, 2016, I visited the Ryerson University Library along with a number of other PHSC members. A milestone was the display by the late Willi Nassau of a reproduction of the famous Voigtlander brass daguerreotype … Continue reading →

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taking one for the team …

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Sometimes photography can be down right dangerous. In 1931, a movie cameraman experienced this first hand (er arm) as told in a brief article that appeared in the October, 1931 edition of International Photographer. Click on the picture at … Continue reading →

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the tin man

Posted on March 15, 2022 by Robert

Toronto.  “You can even mail them…” This was a big advantage for tintypes in the days when most ‘likenesses’ were glass encased. Joseph Wyman Brown uses the wet plate process to create authentic modern day tintype portraits. An article by … Continue reading →

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e is for effort

Posted on March 13, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. In February of 1937, Kodak advertised this movie camera as the running mate to the inexpensive model EE Kodascope  (movie projector to you) using the American Cinematographer magazine to target potential buyers.  This 16mm movie camera and associated projector were … Continue reading →

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zooming to the future

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. We take zoom lenses for granted today. Almost all digital cameras – mirrorless or DSLR – use zoom lenses. We have grown lazy and just adjust the lens to frame the scene rather thsn moving back or forward physically. … Continue reading →

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accessorize your Ektra

Posted on March 9, 2022 by Robert

Toronto.  When the USA joined the WW2 fight, it lost all the Germany minicams. In the mid 1920s, the tiny Leica set the close-focus standard for the normal (50mm) lens at 1 metre (or 39 inches). Closer shots meant using extension … Continue reading →

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first brick in the wall

Posted on March 8, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Talk about great timing! On the eve of WW2 Argus announced their new C3 camera. This ad from the March 1938 issue of International Photographer aims at the average America with these key points:  This miniature camera has features … Continue reading →

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eenie, meenie, minie, eyemo

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Robert

Toronto.  Bell & Howell had many famous trade marks. One was the Eyemo movie camera for professionals.   This rugged camera was the darling of the movie newsmen of the day. Many of us saw their results in the movie … Continue reading →

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hey, Stewart – let’s make a movie

Posted on March 6, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. I always thought Stewart-Warner made meters and gauges. But no, they also briefly made movie cameras before the company was reorganized and transformed into a winner from a loser. The gory details of the company and its rebirth are … Continue reading →

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