beyond the frame

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Robert

Beyond the Frame – a full day of O3C presentations on May 2nd, 2026

Toronto. While we are primarily a photographic  collectors club, many of our members also take photographs. In its earlier days, the PHSC sponsored an annual photographic contest for its members with winning photos featured in our journal. The skills of those who participated varied – we can all learn more.

As a photographic society, we share interest with similar organizations. One such group, the Ontario Council of Camera Clubs, or O3C, focus on taking photos rather than collecting them and the associated equipment, giving our members an opportunity freshen their ‘taking’ rather than ‘collecting’ skills.

Our friends at the O3C are hosting a special event this year on May 2nd (Saturday). The event is called “Beyond the Frame“, and features talks including:

  • Architectural Photography Learn to photograph buildings and structures with impact. From perspective control to dramatic angles, this session will elevate your architectural work.
  • Smartphone Photography The best camera is the one you have with you. Unlock the creative potential of your smartphone with composition tips, mobile editing techniques, and more.
  • Street Photography Capture authentic moments of everyday life with confidence. Learn how to anticipate action, work with natural light, and tell compelling visual stories.
  • Geometric Photography Discover the power of shape, symmetry, pattern, and form. Explore how lines and repetition can transform ordinary scenes into striking compositions.

Those of you who take photos can always learn more about our art. The O3C suggest that you “grow your photographic skills for just $50 per person for the Full Package“. Space is limited so enrol today and grow your skills “Beyond the Frame“! Please note: Registration is now closed, but you might be able to get on a waiting list.

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it’s light and sharp, said Bill …

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Robert

SOM Berthiot Paris Angular f/3.3 28mm lens c1950

Toronto … as he showed me the Angular f/3.3 28mm screw mount Leica lens by Berthiot of Paris. We were at the March 19th, 1986 PHSC meeting.

The little lens in a brass, aluminum coated mount, went on trips to Europe and Japan with Bill. It is the fastest screw mount 28mm lens in my collection.

Like the 5cm Elmar, the aperture setting is around the front element, but in this case with suitable sized knobs on the rim of the focussing mount.

With a screw mount to bayonet ring, the little lens was equally at home on my M4, but never replaced my oversized f/2.8 28mm Elmarit designed by Dr Mandler in Midland, Ontario.

Our 2026 events are beginning to fill in. Next up are two events next month: an auction on May 3rd and a fair on May 24th. These and the coming PHSC events will give you ample opportunity to add to your collection – not necessarily a Berthiot lens, but many interesting items nevertheless.

As the date draws closer, details and a poster will be pinned to the top of this site. In the case of the auction, we hope to add a slide show of lot photos as we have for past auctions.

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taking a shine to things

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Robert

lot 47 tintype from Capitol Gallery online auction ending April 8, 2026 at 10 pm (or so)

Toronto. Image collectors have a wide range of sources available for unusual old images. At left is what seems to be a tintype of a youngster polishing shoes.

The image is tagged as lot 47 in the Capitol Gallery‘s Spring Auction (West Virginia), which ends around 10 pm on April 8th. Online bids are accepted.

This is a chance for collectors to look over the offerings and add to their collection. To see the catalogue, click here and then click the choice of image type. Each listing shows a photo of the image, its lot number, and its estimated value (and the latest bid).

Once again, a sister organization (The Daguerrian Society) announced the Capitol Gallery auction.

Those uneasy about cross border events can do well to visit our 2026 events here in the big smoke. A couple of up and coming events are Spring Auction on May 3rd and the Spring Fair on May 24th. As the dates approach, we will pin a poster and details to the top of this site.

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by popular demand …

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Robert

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cut ups

Posted on April 5, 2026 by Robert

a small cut film holder – photo taken with an iPhone 16 camera

Toronto. Camera collectors sometimes collect various odds and ends related to cameras such as plate and film holders.

When film evolved late in the 1800s, for a time film rolls and film holders overlapped. Using a thicker base, cut (sheet) film became available with camera holders to replace the glass holder style cameras. Cut film was notched along one edge for easy recognition and placement in the dark. Film packs gave the cut film some of the benefits of roll film but required a special holder.

These special accessories may be found at our 2026 events. We have two coming up next month: The May 3rd auction and the May 24th fair. As we get closer to the dates, a poster and details will be pinned to this site. In the case of the auction, we plan to post the photos and listing of most lots as well.

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it’s magic …

Posted on April 4, 2026 by Robert

cover photo of the MLS 2001 coffee table size book

Toronto. It seems appropriate to put Dr Robert Wilson’s book review on our site as the Magic Lantern Society is holding its “21st International Convention” here in Toronto at the Black Creek Pioneer Village this April 24-26th.

I bought my copy of the Encyclopaedia of the Magic Lantern from Bob when it was first issued (cover shown at left complete with some glare from my den light).  It was my second involvement with a magic lantern – years ago, my father picked me up a toy Magic Lantern with a few painted slides in a small painted wooden case.

Bob’s article, published in issue 27-2 of our journal, begins, “The Magic Lantern Society, based in England, is a society devoted to the history and the development of the magic lantern and lantern slides. Over the years they have published a number of books, often in conjunction with their major conventions.

“They recently [2001] added one more publication to their reference resource books – the Encyclopaedia of the Magic Lantern. It is their most impressive and ambitious book to date and was scheduled for release to celebrate their society’s 25th anniversary and their 2001 convention.

“The encyclopaedia was a huge undertaking by (primarily) volunteers. Editors best describe the book as: ‘. . . an attempt to provide a comprehensive reference source to the history, technology, uses and aesthetics of the optical lantern in its numerous forms. The alphabetical entries cover a wide range of subjects: inventors and patentees, makers and merchants, showmen, writers and lecturers; the varied styles and shapes of lanterns, with all their strange and exotic names; the genres and mechanisms of slides; organizations which used lanterns for education, propaganda or religious persuasion; collectors and museums.’

“The bulk of the book is the encyclopaedia, with entries arranged alphabetically from Abraham to Zambra. Entries range from a single line, or a SEE reference, to essays covering two pages. Forty people contributed entries, and each entry has the writer identified. Included in the contributors is M. Lindsay Lambert of Ottawa who was our speaker at the May 2001 meeting where he presented a Magic Lantern Show.

“The entries cover the history of the projected image from the mid-fifteenth century (Athanasius Kircher) to today (Jack Judson and his Magic Lantern Castle). Many entries contain a reference to information sources so the reader can refer to the original source.”…

PHSC members read all of Dr Wilson’s review in the issue 27-2 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/memory stick. To join or renew, just follow ‘Membership’ above and at right. Email any membership questions to member@phsc.ca.

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strummin’

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Robert

tintype example of an African-American guitar player in the mid/late 1800s

Toronto. Image collectors seem like a gregarious bunch, and no wonder. Many antique stores, junk shops, flea markets, fairs, auction houses, etc. seem to carry old photos which may suit their collection.

Greg French down New England way is a case in point. While his offerings are mainly American in one way or another, Greg does offer interesting photos. His business name says it loudly: “Greg French Early Photography – specializing in 19th century photographs”.

An example of his current wares is this slightly scuffed tintype of a black guitar player shown at the upper left of this post. Check out all Greg’s current offerings here. Who knows, you may find just the right photo to add to your collection.

Also, be sure visit our 2026 events. Just announced is our next auction on May 3rd, and spring fair on May 24th. As the dates approach, we will pin a poster and details to this web site.

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Photographic Canadiana 51-3

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Robert

cover of issue 51-3

Toronto. Editors David Bridge and Louise Freyburger have issued Photographic Canadiana 51-3 to members in pdf format via a MailChimp notification.

The issue contains a number of well researched and illustrated articles – “Photographers, Retailers, and Manufacturers: The Toronto Photographic Industry 1860-1910 by David Kenny”; “Micklethwaite Mystery Camera by Bill Micklethwaite”; “Treasures from My Collection: India and Canada by Gary Stone”; and “The Many Martins of Montreal By Irwin Reichstein”.

If you are not yet a member, or happened to let your membership lapse, check out ‘Membership’ above or at right – $35 Canadian well spent! Any questions may be emailed to member@phsc.ca. Members also receive a free members-only DVD or memory stick of the first 40 volumes of this journal.

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A dfferent Petzval lens

Posted on April 1, 2026 by Robert

The Dietzler manufactured Petzval portrait lens

Toronto. The late Willi Nassau talks about a special lens in his collection in the issue 27-2 column, “A Treasure From My Collection”. Willi was a long time PHSC member, WLU lecturer on photography, and a close friend of the late Bill Belier. Willi grew up in Vienna and after the war he opened a small studio there.

This is the story of one used lens he purchased and eventually took with him when he left for Canada. Along the way, Willi speaks about Petzval and why he shifted from having his lens design manufactured by Voigtlander to using the far less successful Dietzler.

Bill begins this column as follows, “One of the “regulars” that I would see at the PHSC meetings when I joined the Society in 1977 was charter member Willi Nassau [living in K-W]. Over the ensuing years we became close friends and shared many experiences, both at home and abroad in pursuit of our mutual photographic interests.

“Willi has had a varied and storied career in photography both in his native Austria and later in Canada. At the age of seventeen he was accepted as a student at the Vienna State Academy for Graphic Arts …the year was 1939 …not the most opportune time in world events to embark on a career!

“Eventually he would be assigned to duties in various photographic and technical laboratories where he would remain until WW II ended in 1945. With the arrival of the Allied Occupation Forces in Vienna (the British Eighth Army) he was offered employment as a cameraman/cinéphotographer and remained with the B.E.A. for almost three years. Willi’s story begins…” …

Willi’s extensive collection now resides with the Museum of Science and Technology (Ingenium) in the Ottawa area. Members read all of Willi’s story on the free ‘members-only’ DVD/thumb drive. To join or renew, follow ‘Membership’ above or at right. Email any questions to member@phsc.ca.

You might find examples of early lenses and cameras up to very recent models at our 2026 events. Our Spring Fair is one such event. It is planned for May 24th at the Trident Hall in southwest Toronto. Poster and details will be pinned to this web site as we get closer to the fair date.

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digital 3D c2001

Posted on March 31, 2026 by Robert

a digital 3D photo by Stan White c2001 with a Kodak DC4800

Toronto. Long time members of the PHSC can recall  Stan White and his passion for 3D. Over the years Stan was much involved with the PHSC in various executive capacities as well as being a periodic speaker. Stan was a professional photographer and college lecturer on all aspects of photography.

Stan hailed from England and for many years he assisted Ev Roseborough doing commercial, catalogue, and studio photography. This article in issue 27-2 discusses using digital cameras to make 3D photos. Over the few years before and after 2001 many of our members embraced the new digital technology.

Early in his talk Stan mentioned his first digital camera produced 3.1 megapixel images. The sensors underwent rapid changes increasing in pixel size and technical design. Another member, George Dunbar, suggested about 30 megapixels would be necessary to reach the quality of 35mm Kodachrome slides.  Ironically today my iPhone 16 uses a 48 megapixel sensor!

Stan titled his talk “Digital 3-D” and begins, “Armed with a thick wad of camera specifications and reviews downloaded from the internet, I made the decision to purchase a Kodak dc 4800. This camera, close to top of the line 18 months ago [summer of 2000], is now selling very reasonably for a camera of 3.1 mega-pixel resolution [my first digital camera was also 3.1mx, the Chinon ES 3000 version of the Kodak DC50], possibly because it does not have the limited video and sound function common to most of its competitors, and most people want all the bells and whistles.” …

Members read all of Stan’s illustrated article in the issue 27-2 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/memory stick. Join or renew following ‘Membership’ above or at right. Email any questions to member@phsc.ca.

You can add to your camera or image collection at our 2026 events like the Spring Fair which is set for May 24th at the Trident Hall in Southwest Toronto. A poster and detail will be pinned to this site as we approach the fair date.

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