merry Christmas 2025

Posted on December 25, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. It has been an interesting year in many ways. So to all we wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! – from the PHSC.

Christmas 2025

 

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focussing issue resolved …

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Robert

a somewhat out of focus photo

Toronto. Consistent with editor Lansdale’s inspiration to celebrate our 25th anniversary, the folks at the Cascade Panorama Historical Society sent in a juicy article by Milan Zahorcak titled, “What the …?”. Milan describes the problem raised when an old lens was tested and the novel solution.

Milan’s story begins, “‘Actinism (Greek: a ray). A ray of light whether proceeding from a heavenly or terrestrial body is found, in general, to possess three properties; viz., the luminous, the calorific and the actinic. The actinic is that property of the ray which produces important changes in certain substances submitted to its action, and on the use of which the whole art of photography is founded. When a ray of light is decomposed by refraction through a prism into its constituent colours, it is found that actinism exists chiefly among the violet, and scarcely at all among the yellow and red rays. Hence the importance of combining the violet or actinic focus of a photographic lens with the yellow or luminous focus: for the actinic rays produce the photographic picture, while, the luminous rays render the image visible upon the focussing screen.’

“Follow all that? It’s straight from A Dictionary of Photography, by Sutton & Dawson, 1867, and it’s been a 140 years since we’ve had to worry what it’s all about. For the moment listen to this tale as CPHS members Cy Eid and Milan Zahorcak try to make a photograph using an early American wet-plate camera fitted with a late 1850s portrait lens.

“The intrepid duo set up their gear in a kitchen with the scene lit by bright but diffused daylight. The subject is a tabletop setting of ancient photographic equipment at a carefully measured distance of 10 feet from the film plane.

“The image is carefully composed and focused with utmost care using an 8x magnifier. The plate holder is inserted, the slide removed for a timed exposure of four seconds, the slide returned and holder removed.

“Within minutes, the film – in this case ordinary “polycontrast” darkroom paper for test purposes, was developed and – what the heck! – found to be grossly out of focus. You can imagine the puzzled looks and head scratching that followed. The camera was checked, the ground glass re-examined but the focus was perfect – not just close but perfect.” …

Members read the rest of the article, including the solution to the focussing issue in the issue 26-1 pdf file on the free members only DVD/thumb drive. Join using the notes above and at right. Email membership queries to member@phsc.ca.

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cooking the books …

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Robert

A lens engraved with both the UK maker and Canadian distributor

Toronto. … is a common expression for redoing accounting entries to intentionally favour someone.

In the case of photography, some products were re-badged to show a different maker and/or country. In this case, the maker and country are shown as well as the Canadian distributor,  “J. G. Ramsay and Co., Toronto”.

The journal blurb begins, “[The] Cooke Primoplane lens as manufactured by Taylor, Taylor & Hobson Ltd. (inscribed on outer ring), is [a] 4 inch, Series VII.A f/6.5, mounted to board for commercial camera use; stops down to f/22.

“The large aperture was of convenience for focussing in dull interiors. [The] inscription on [the] ring reads: Sole consignee for Canada, J.G. Ramsey & Co. Toronto.” …

The T.T.H. lens is from the late Don Douglas collection (Don was a long time PHSC member and fair table holder).

Members read the final paragraph of the brief article and the added illustrations in the issue 26-1 pdf file on the free member-only DVD/memory stick. See above and at right to join.  Send any membership questions to member@phsc.ca.

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pottering about …

Posted on December 22, 2025 by Robert

Rapid Rectilinear lenses from Mike Robinson’s collection

Toronto. A small subset of PHSC members who collect cameras also collect microscopes. For example, the late Ron Walker collected Zeiss cameras and old microscopes. At some point in time, I noted Chas. Potter (Toronto) as a microscope maker. Ron did some research on the establishment and suggested it was a retail operation that re-badged European or American microscopes, cameras, lenses etc., for sale.

A short while later the journal issue 26-1 carried an update to an issue 25-1 article. The 26-1 update is titled “Canadian Marked Lenses” and sets out to clarify Bill Belier’s column in 25-1 which discussed whether lenses in the 19th century were made here.

The update begins, “Bill Belier’s column in our May/June 1999 issue describing a lens with a Hearn & Harrison, Montreal marking, and Bob Wilson’s study of that optical company’s Canadian history, caused us to wonder what other lenses might similarly have Canadian markings.

“Andrew Birrell of the National Archives of Canada wrote in 1978: …there remains a yawning gap in information about the hardware supply industry in Canada. By this I mean the manufacture and sale of cameras, chemicals, plates, films and other photographic supplies.

“Naturally this industry never reached the proportions here that it did in the United States and Europe, but surely there must have been some inventive individuals or industrious types who attempted to make their fortunes in this fashion rather than taking photographs. We know of the efforts of John Connon, William Notman and James Inglis, but there must have been others. If readers know of any I would be delighted to hear of them.

“It is still unknown when it was first possible to purchase a camera that was commercially made in Toronto but Charles Potter and Augustus F. Potter, opticians and instrument dealers, advertised photographic apparatus for sale in the 1860s. It seems likely that Augustus was a camera manufacturer while Charles teamed up with William Hearn and supplied surveying equipment for the H.Y. Hind 1858 expedition to the Assiniboine and Saskatchewan districts.

“They could have made photo equipment as early as the 1850s but conclusive evidence is lacking. – Lilly Koltun. An advertisement in the August 1892 issue of The Canadian Photographic Journal indicates that C. Potter at 31 King Street East was selling off his cameras and Rapid Rectilinear lenses at less than cost. Was it the same Charles Potter closing out?

“In the same CPJ issue photo dealer Mulholland & Sharpe on Bay Street in their advertisement (pg. 165) list for sale a 5 x 8 camera, complete with holders, a Potter R.R. lens and shutter for a reduced price of $23.50. Such an inscribed lens would be a pleasure to locate today.” …

Members read all the update and viewed the illustrations in the 26-1 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See above and at right to join. Any membership questions may be sent to member@phsc.ca.

Those searching for old lenses and microscopes should check our 2026 events. Confirmed events will be posted in the right hand sidebar. A post will be pinned up a few weeks before each event to provided details. Lots of old lenses (and the occasional microscope) pop up at our events.

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bird shot

Posted on December 21, 2025 by Robert

Flamingo by Leana Kuster at the ROM until Mar 29, 2026

Toronto. While we collectors are busy searching for old photos, old camera, etc. for our collections, modern day photographers are busy taking photos that future collectors will lust after.

A case in point is the 2025/6 exhibit of the exquisite works by wildlife photographers. Each year the best of the best is chosen and the best works are displayed. This year the display is at the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto) from Nov 8, 2025 to March 29, 2026 on Level 4, in the Roloff Beny Gallery.

Typical is the stunning photo of a Flamingo (copyright) by Leana Kuster courtesy of the PhotoEd blurb (thanks for the notice, Rita).

Our 2025 events are now over and the 2026 PHSC Events are beginning to form. First is our Jan 25, 2026 auction. Check the right sidebar for future event dates and locations. The  events will be shown as they are planned. A poster will be pinned here a few weeks before each event.

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lordy, lordy, lordy

Posted on December 20, 2025 by Robert

c1956 Lordomat camera (screen shot from show and tell)

Toronto. We held our monthly meeting for December on Wednesday the 17th. I managed to hang in for about an hour before my eye issue intervened. I saw/heard the AGM speech by our president and the first of the series of show and tell episodes. First up was Lilianne with her c1956 Lordomat.

The Lordomat was designed and manufactured by Leidolf, a precision engineering firm, in Wetzlar where Leicas were first made. Oddly enough, Leidolf was bought by Wild-Heerbrugg in Switzerland. who later merged with Leitz to become Wild-Leitz (their Canadian branch in Toronto repaired my Leica shutter mechanism). Both Lordomat and Leica are from Wetzlar – small world!

Lilianne showed her Lordomat and a short video on the well engineered and manufactured little camera. The screen shot shown here doesn’t do justice to the camera – bad timing on my part caused the poor image.

You may spot a Lordomat at one of our events. The PHSC 2026 Events will be posted initially in the right sidebar and as the date of each event looms closer, as a post on this site.

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niagara

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Robert

ready to walk under the Horseshoe Falls c1975 summer

Toronto. The mighty Niagara Falls straddle the American and Canadian borders with the Canadian side full of parks and many areas of interest including rides like ‘the Maid of the Mist’ and walks like that under the massive Horseshoe Falls.

Since the earliest announcement of photography, the falls have been a frequent subject for the new art. Collectors of old images enjoy collecting Niagara Falls photos taken from both countries (one of our earliest daguerreotypes is a photo of the falls).

Our events often include images of interest to collectors (generally studio portraits rather than outdoor scenes or work scenes). While our 2025 PHSC Events are finished, the 2026 PHSC Events are just weeks away. First up is the January 2026 PHSC Auction – more details will be posted as they become firm.

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really, really, really close.

Posted on December 18, 2025 by Robert

the Eagle camera as it appears in the 1910 Eaton’s photographic supplement ready for a very close ‘close-up’

Toronto.  In 1969, Neil Armstrong stated the first of  his iconic statements, “the Eagle has landed” as the Lunar Module ‘Eagle’ touched down on the moon ready for  his decent into history.

In 1910, the T. Eaton Drug Company produced a small catalogue titled “Cameras and Photographic Supplies”. The catalogue included cameras too, often re-badged with no indication of the origin.

Through member Dr Robert Wilson’s diligent efforts, the source of one camera was identified.  The camera at left, known as “The Eagle Field Camera”, was made in England by the “Camera Construction Co.” of Hackney, London, N.E. (reasonable since before WW2, Canada was tightly aligned with England as part of the British Commonwealth).

Bob’s article titled, “Source Identified for the ‘Eagle’ Camera”, begins, “About 1910, Eaton’s department store sold many cameras which we never see today. Most of them had unusual names such as the Emerald, the Lark, the Diamond and the Sharon. These cameras were listed in a Cameras and Photographic Supplies catalogue issued by the T. Eaton Drug Company.

“A facsimile of this catalogue was mailed to all PHSC members last year. The source of most of the cameras listed in this catalogue are unknown… however, now we are able to identify from where one of them [Eagle] originated.” …

Please note; through the generosity of Dr Wilson, the 1910 catalogue pdf is available here and on this site under PRESS above at no cost.

Members read more about the Eaton’s cameras and saw the photos in the 26-1 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See above and at right to join. Email all membership questions to member@phsc.ca.

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annual AGM and Show and Tell

Posted on December 17, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. It’s that time again!  Our annual AGM and Show and Tell Event. Contact Celio at program@phsc.ca for a link to our fabulous event. Join or participate (tell Celio if you wish to show an S&T item).

Our AGM – Show and Tell
Wednesday, December 17, 2025

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predating the minicam revolution start

Posted on December 16, 2025 by Robert

the 1892/3 Kombi made in Chicago

Toronto. In 1888 Eastman marketed the famous “Kodak” camera to use its newly developed roll film. Initially stripping film was used due to issues with the transparent material but the issue was resolved quickly and in a few months tradition material was used.

In 1893 Chicago, the Alfred C Kemper Co released a miniature camera and viewer called the Kombi. The company looked east to Rochester for its custom made roll film – a few years after Eastman’s success!

In issue 26-1 there are a couple of Kombi related articles. This is the first: (A Miniature from the past). Walter Shean of Shelburne brings many a treat to our meetings and Fairs to tempt our collecting addictions. This all-metal Kombi was one camera that attracted attention despite its miniscule size.

“McKeown’s indicates that it was introduced in 1892 [other show date as 1893] and was the mini-marvel of the decade. It consisted of a 4 ounce seamless metal box with oxidized silver finish. As new it sold for $3.00 and the manufacturer’s ads (Alfred Kemper) proclaimed ‘50,000 sold in one year’.

“Although not rare, they are a prized collector’s item, particularly with the original box. T.G. Winks of Winnipeg, Manitoba, became the western Canadian distributor for the Kombi and ran the advertisement (below) in the Nov. 7, 1895 issues of the Qu’Appelle Progress and The Brandon (Weekly) Mail. By then the price was listed at $4.00 Canadian with a suggestion that Boy or Girl could use it.

“No description of size was given. Eastman countered with the Pocket Kodak (box) in 1895.”

Members read the other story of the Kombi and saw the photos in the 26-1 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See above and at right to join. Email all membership questions to member@phsc.ca.

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