Category Archives: history

what a pal!

Posted on March 22, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. In the April, 1932 edition of the International Photographer, this strange camera called the PAL KO or PALKO was advertised. It was described as a post card sized folder that focussed on ground glass. Never heard of it. In … Continue reading →

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a good student

Posted on March 21, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. I recently suggested that Kodak SIX-20 folders and their brethren were “too little, too late“. This ad two years earlier in the International Photographer in 1932 suggests Kodak was covering its bets with imports from the recently purchased Nagel … Continue reading →

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too little, too late

Posted on March 19, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. In this June, 1934 advertisement in Popular Mechanics, Kodak announced its new SIX-20 folder. The camera had lots of features but ignored the growing ground swell of minicam sales. My dad bought a simpler version of the SIX-20 a … Continue reading →

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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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