Big Bertha 5×7 Graflex with 36 inch lens at Spring 2006 Fair
Toronto. I took this shot a couple of decades ago at our Fair in 2006. Along with cameras, I collected lenses, books, brochures, etc, that offered information on the history of photography.
I imagine other camera collectors collect lenses too, sometimes special lenses suitable for wide angles like the old Protar line, and others of the telephoto persuasion.
This monster combination was used to capture close-ups of participants in sporting events. Others used these specialty lenses for wild animal photography. The photo at left was shot at our Spring Fair in 2006. Shown is M. Renaud Therrien of Montreal with his c1930 Graflex “Big Bertha”. The camera takes 5×7 plates and has a 36 inch f/6.3 telephoto lens attached.
These newer lenses are ‘future’ collectibles – and now that we are well into the digital era, the film camera and telephotos like this example are/are about to become collectibles.
Add these lenses or other interesting items to your collection by attending our 2026 events. For example, our Spring Fair is set for May 24th at the Trident Hall in southwest Toronto. As we get closer to the date, I will pin a poster and details to the top of this web site.
