let it snow! let it snow! let it snow!

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Robert

Snow-bound train in 1904 – photo taken by Harry Palmer

Toronto. Collectors of photographs are a friendly bunch. Photos tend to be grouped in sub categories like, snow, storm, trains, etc. The photo at left by Harry Palmer hits all three of these sub-categories.

It was selected as the cover photo for issue 15-3 which carries a couple of lengthy articles on both Harry and son John Palmer.

The snow-bound train photo is described by Ev as, “One of Harry Palmer’s 1904 snow blockade photographs from a whole-plate negative.”

Photographers Harry and son John appeared in an earlier post. Read the post to learn how to see the articles about them in issue 15-3. Photography collectors (cameras, photos, ephemera, etc.), you can visit our fall events to see if there are any items suitable for your collection! Our fall fair is up next (October 20th). A poster and details will go up closer to the event.

Note: I used the title of a 1945 song, sung here by Jo Stafford for this post (years ago I had a c1960s recording of this song by Ms Stafford).

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macro stereo shots

Posted on August 18, 2024 by Robert

An example macro stereo shot – courtesy of Stan White

Toronto. This photo and the accompanying article cover a trio of photo categories. Macro stereo shots; medical photos; and workplace photos. Added to this, the challenge of stereo macros means customized gear.

In issue 15-3 the late Stan White describes just such a challenge to create slides for use by a professor of oral surgery at the U of T.

Stan recounts his work in a lengthy, well illustrated article saying in part, “The problems of making close-up stereo images have long been known . The third dimensional effect is primarily the result of stereopsis – the fusing of two slightly dissimilar images into one cyclopean image. Conventional stereo cameras have their lenses spaced at 70mm about the spacing of the human eyes.

“This is fine for subjects at seven feet and beyond. Such a viewpoint separation when used close-up produces images so dissimilar that they cannot be comfortably fused. The human eyes suffer the same problem; try looking at the end of your nose sometime. The solution would have to come through hypostereo; the reduction of the stereo viewpoints to less than the human eye and for this application the stereo base would have to be about 4mm.

“A number of stereo close-up systems were developed during the stereo boom of the 1950’s. Most suffered from extreme depth distortion due to too wide a stereobase and lenses of too short a focal length. The images were adequate for the photo salons where a daffodil trumpet stretched to twice its normal length could be intriguing and dramatic but the same extreme depth distortion in an image of the human mouth is positively neanderthal.”

You can read all of Stan’s article “A Macro Stereo Camera”, see how he solved the tiny 4mm base, see how he was able to obtain fantastic results for Dr. J. M. Symington of the U of T, in the pdf file for issue 15-3 on the free PHSC DVD. See above or to the right to join or renew. Questions? Contact our Membership Secretary, Lilianne Schneider at member@phsc.ca.

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going to market in stereo

Posted on August 17, 2024 by Robert

PEI Market Place c1890

Toronto. Stereo cards vary in quality – some are even fakes without stereo at all. The real McCoys give a great insight into the history of an area around the late 1800s/early 1900s. This example is from the late Dr Robert Wilson’s column Image of the Month in issue 15-3 of the journal at the end of 1989.

The image was slightly sharpened and noise removed in Photo AI 3 (the text was slightly compromised by the software).

Bob begins his story, “In the 1890’s, competition was high among a number of large publishers of stereoscopic views. Photographers who worked for these companies travelled far and wide.

“In their travels. they would often take several negatives of a scene so that if one of their glass plate were broken. they would have another negative. Many of these duplicate negatives were eventually published – it is not uncommon to find several stereo views of the same scene with people or moving vehicles being the only things that changed.”

You can read all of Bob’s article on the DVD we send to all members. It has pdf files of all issues of Photographic Canadiana from volume 1 to volume 40.

Image collectors may find stereo views – or other photos — for their collection at our fall events, the first of which is the fair on October 20th. A poster will be on this site closer to the event.

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an interesting issuu

Posted on August 16, 2024 by Robert

Catalogue Zeiss Ikon 1939

Toronto. While browsing the web recently for the Zeiss Historica Society, I came across the ISSUU web site and its cache of Zeiss/Zeiss Ikon catalogues and Zeiss Historica magazines.

I recognized ISSUU because the editor of PhotoEd once used it to let us view her publication around the time when COVID began restricting in person meetings.

Unfortunately, You cannot read anything on ISSUU without authorization by the account holder for given publications. Collectors of Zeiss Ikon cameras may find the site of potential interest. Unfortunately, I am not sure who the publisher is.

However, all issues of Zeiss Historica shown on ISSUU can be seen and read free on Mike Eckman’s site including an article on the history of the Zeiss Historica Society which closed in 2016. The write up is by Mike Eckman who notes that Larry Gubas was the last president of the ZHS.

At one point the ZHS was based here under one of our members (issue 8-1 summer of 1982), the late Rand Scheid (both as president and as editor). At the time, Zeiss Historica  was printed by Schryer Graphics whose owners were both PHSC members and printers of our journal.

As you will see in the article on the history of ZHS, Larry Gubas down in Las Vegas wrote a (to me) seminal book “Zeiss and Photography”. The book, long out of print, weighs in at around seven pounds. If you can find a copy it gives a great amount of detail on Zeiss Ikon cameras and the significant role Zeiss played in photography.

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food on the hoof

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Robert

Venison enough for a long winter. Harry Palmer (left) and party.

Toronto. Many impromptu photos were taken over years, some of which found their way into collections. Outdoor scenes like this are of interest, especially when a known professional photographer like Mr Palmer is included. A couple of months earlier I did a post on another Palmer – Eli.

Our fairs and auctions often have old photographs, some outdoors or work related. Have a look at our fair and auction this fall. The fair will be held on October 20th at the Trident Hall. A poster will go up closer to the show. We plan to hold a fall auction a few weeks later on an as yet undetermined date.

The stories of photographer Harry Palmer of Dundalk and his photographer son, John H Palmer were written by Ev Roseborough and published in issue 15-3 (Nov-Dec 1989). The story of Harry begins, “Just south of the original town of Dundalk, situated at the highest point of Ontario’s snow belt, was the site chosen by the first Palmers for their homestead.

“Following marriage in 1875, their son Charles Palmer built a log house across the road from his parents’ cabin, beside what is now #10 Highway, and moved his bride, the former Anne Hastings of Hamilton, into the new domicile.

“Three years later Anne Palmer went to Toronto for the birth of a son, Harry, and promptly returned to Dundalk.

“Within a year the new family moved to the town which was being re-located to an area beside the newly-laid Owen Sound to Toronto railway line.

“Their new home was brick. Charles Palmer established an apiary and earned a reputation as a breeder of fast horses, remaining there until he died at the age of 86. He was the first Justice of the Peace and Town Assessor.”

The stories, with illustrations, continue in 15-3. Members read them in the pdf version on the PHSC DVD sent free to all members (the DVD reproduces volumes 1-40 of the journal in separate searchable issues) No DVD? No problem! Join today and a DVD will be sent off via Canada Post. If you prefer to use a cheque for membership, see the menu item ‘MEMBERSHIP’ above, else see the note at right for use of a credit card or (if you have one) a PayPal account. Any questions, just drop a line to our Membership Secretary, Lilianne Schneider at member@phsc.ca.

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feelin’ bookish

Posted on August 14, 2024 by Robert

The Man of 3D – from issue 15-2 of the journal

Toronto. Collectors use many sources to expand their knowledge of cameras, photos, processes, etc. One source is books. In the golden era of camera collecting (late 20th century) books on cameras and photos abounded.

One fine example is this book annotated with three view-master reels of stereo images (adjusted with Topaz Photo AI 3 – they haven’t quite got the text feature right). A review by one of our stereo experts, the late Stan White, appeared in the ‘Bookshelf’ column of issue 15-2. The book is currently offered  on Amazon.com. Unfortunately, a link gives too much personal information. Use the book’s full title to search via Google.

Stan begins, “This is the second book in the series “3D Highlights” published by Harry zur Kleinsmiede and Mariet de Weerd in their quest to uncover the world’s most interesting 3D pictures, past and present. The first book in the series promoted the stereo image; the second features the foremost author on stereo photography.”

Stan continues his review in 15-2 which is available in pdf format on the DVD sent to all members. You can read the rest of the review by joining the PHSC today. It’s both easy and inexpensive. See the menu item ‘MEMBERSHIP’ above if your prefer to use a cheque, or go to the right and use a credit card or your PayPal account. Our membership volunteer (Lilianne) can be reached at member@phsc.ca for assistance.

Note: We often have books at our events (not always stereo). Come on out to the fair or auction this fall and see what catches your fancy – and suits your collection! Details will be posted here a few weeks before each event.

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remembering Harold

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Robert

Harold McNutt c1989 by Bob Lansdale

Toronto. When I joined the PHSC back in 1975, one of the first people I got to know was Harold McNutt. As treasurer of the Toronto branch, he invited me to audit the books – an annual requirement per the by-laws. Harold was a pleasant and friendly chap who once counted my boss at the time and a friend as a one time employee of his.

In issue 15-2, Harold was chosen to be interviewed by Bob Lansdale as a featured collector. Harold had an eclectic eye for cameras and accessories (and great mechanical skill). He once offered me a photo bag with a screw mount Leica, four lenses, and some accessories. Regretfully I passed, only to pay far more years later for similar items.

For the article, Bob did both the interview, and the photographs. The article is titled, “Portrait of a Collector”. He begins his article, “If there is anything more interesting than collecting historical photographic equipment then it must be understanding the collectors. At meetings, we indulge in photo chit-chat but rarely do we know in depth the members themselves.

“Within our Society are personalities with a myriad of backgrounds. Only when you seek these can you appreciate what lies behind their collecting interests.

“One of our earliest members Harold McNutt, at 82, is the quintessential gentleman; quiet, well spoken and friendly to all who meet him.

“Recently I visited his Toronto home to photograph Harold with his collection …”

Well, you must know the routine by now. You can read Bob’s story in the pdf version of 15-2 which is on the DVD we send to all members. See above or at the right to sign up and your copy of the DVD will go off to you via Canada Post, See Lilianne at member@phsc.ca if you have questions.

If you collect cameras and photographs, drop by our fall events and you may find that irresistible item for your collection! I will do a post closer to each event.

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more than one way to do it …

Posted on August 12, 2024 by Robert

The Devin “One shot”· Color Camera.

Toronto. Realistic colour was one of the last frontier’s of film technology. In the early 1860s a young Frenchman (du Hauron) suggested most of the ways photographers could capture colour, but the technology of the time wasn’t ready for him!

du Hauron based his ideas on the Young-Helmholtz or three colour theory of how we see colour,  in spite of the fact that photographic plates of the day were mostly blue sensitive and saw other colours as dark grey at best but usually as black.

The Devin ‘one-shot’ color camera (c1939) used a combination of three plates, mirrors and filters to capture each colour ‘band’ on a panchromatic plate.  In issue 15-1, editor Ev Roseborough recounts a hilarious tale about using the Devin for a still life (food) shot in the article, “Harry and the Sorcerer’s Apprentice”. Issue 15-2 gives more details on the Devin camera.

Shortly into Ev’s story. he states, “In those days making a color photograph of food was a ceremonial, like celebrating High Mass.

“The faithful, in the form of client, account executive and studio sales reps would gather at a respectful distance to watch, occasionally nodding approvingly.

“Harry, the high priest, in his vestment which was a tattered brown smock with a holy pocket, a dietitian in starchy white and the grey-flannelled art director were assembled before an altar. This was a heavy, well – used wooden shipping crate. It stood on end with an open front into which Harry dropped a sand-bag to keep it from shifting.

“The Devin camera had been set up and Charlie, an assistant, was going through a ritual of dusting the filters and plate holders with a camels hair brush. Three holders were used for each picture.”

As usual, members have our DVD with the first 40 volumes of the journal in pdf format. They can easily read Ev’s tale in issue 15-1 in full. Those who wish to join or renew can follow either the ‘MEMBERSHIP’ menu item above (for cheques) or the membership note at right for those using a credit card, debit card, or their PayPal account (we have a PayPal account for the cards).

Any questions can be addressed to our Membership Secretary, Lilianne Schneider, at member@phsc.ca. You will find lots of goodies for your collection at our fall events, and may even find a Devin camera!

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don’t hide your light …

Posted on August 11, 2024 by Robert

Double Dissolving Balopticon

Toronto. Photography collectors are a gregarious bunch. A subset collects projectors, from the so called magic lanterns which amuse and educate with special slides, to more modern apparatus from last century.

One such collector was the late Dr Robert Wilson. Bob was especially interested in Stereo. He had the rare ability to ‘free scan’ stereo images with his eyes alone. In issue 15-1 his article titled, “Dissolving and Stereoscopic Lantern Projectors” reviews a sub category of projectors which use a dissolve device to smoothly move from one slide to another.

His article begins, “During the early 1900’s a large number of companies sold lantern slide projectors. Dissolving projectors were featured by many of these companies and provided the ability to dissolve one slide into the next.

“As one catalog put it, the dissolving outfit was employed “to avoid the eyestrain and disagreeable affect produced by the alternate darkening and lighting of the screen, together with the ‘racing’ of the slides across the screen in changing”. There were several different designs available to provide the dissolving effect.”

Bob’s detailed article includes the then current prices asked by various makers. Members can read all of Bob’s article in the pdf version of issue 15-1 which is included on our ‘free to members’ DVD. You can join by cheque, credit card, debit card or PayPal account. See the ‘MEMBERSHIP’ menu item above if you write cheques or the Membership details at the far right for all other means of joining or renewing. New members will receive their DVD via Canada Post. If you have any questions about membership, email our Membership Secretary, Lilianne Schneider, at member@phsc.ca.

While we can’t say for sure you will find one of these old projectors at our fall fair or auction, we can say you will find many items of interest for your collection (or use).

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quint essential tash

Posted on August 10, 2024 by Robert

Tash and the Quints, Xmas, 1934

Toronto. Attention all image collectors! In yesterday’s post (q.v.)we commented on the life of Canadian Movie maker Roy Tash.

In the same issue (14-5), Bob Wilson in his column Image of the Month writes, “On May 28,1934, five identical girls, the Dionne Quintuplets, were born on a farm near North Bay, Ontario.

“At the time, the newsreel companies were quite aggressive in obtaining footage and two photographers were on the site within a day of the birth. Roy Tash was one of them. Since the old farmhouse did not have electricity, Tash reports that he had to round up several car batteries to provide the power for his lights.

“The photo shown here was taken near Christmas 1934, when the five girls were still less than seven months old. Tash, behind the movie camera, and his sound man Alf Nicholson.”

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