the old is new again …

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Robert

the ‘Mandler” 35mm f/2 lens to be made in China. Photo courtesy of Leica Rumors

Toronto. … or is nothing sacred these days? In 1975 I bought a 35mm summicron for my new Leica. I later (much later) learned it was the third iteration of  the lens and designed up in Midland by Dr Mandler. The lens was boldly marked “LEITZ CANADA”  around the lens front along with the name “SUMMICRON”, serial number, speed, and focal length.

A recent email from Wayne Ridley alerted me to a forth-coming Chinese knock-off of the 50+ year old pre-aspherical-element lens. The new model was announced by Leica Rumors and picked up by Digital Camera World. Rumors tag it as a seven elements design although the original late 1950s lens was said to be an eight element design and the newer (pre aspherical element) lenses were a six element design.

Dr Mandler moved to Midland after ww2 and remained in Canada for the rest of his life while camera and non-military lenses  manufacture returned to Europe as the Leitz organization struggled to avoid dissolution (another story).

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… of swimming trunks and auto trunks

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. As a kid, July meant donning swimming trunks and dashing down to the lake for a swim to the sandbar and beyond. As a grown-up July means the famous PHSC Trunk Sale is coming soon! The date is July 13th. The place, outdoors at the Trident Hall. The show goes on rain or shine. Questions? Email Clint at fair@phsc.ca. See the poster below for times (and thank our designer/treasurer, John Morden).

 

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one in a million

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Robert

Canada: These Things We Hold Dear by Lorraine Monk

Toronto. The late Lorraine Monk was a PHSC member and speaker. She was a member of the National Film Board (NFB) for two decades, becoming Executive Producer, Still Photography Division by the time she retired in 1980.

Lorraine was famous as author/editor/publisher of a great many Canadian photo books. In 1998 she called for copies of photographs for consideration in her 1999 photo book, “Canada: These Things We Hold Dear” which went on to win numerous awards.

An article in issue 23-5 (likely written by editor Lansdale) introduced to us her call for suggested photographs for her “Things We Hold Dear” book. The article, “Photographs Wanted For New Book on Canada – Millennium Book Expected to cost One Million Dollars” begins, “‘It has to be my best,’ says Lorraine Monk of Toronto, ‘as it will be my last!’

“Responsible for publishing some 30 books in her life with renowned titles of Canada’s Centennial book: A Year of the Land and our Bicentennial gift to the U.S.A.: Between Friends, Lorraine is set to produce another miracle publication. (See PC journal Vol 19 #2, Sept. 1993).

“This new project is a Millennium project for Canada, costing half a million dollars to print 50,000 copies plus another half million to cover royalties to photographers, design costs etc.. The present quest is to find 100 of the best-of-best Canadian photographs which will depict (enshrine) the title: These Things We Hold Dear…” …

Members can read all of this article (the book is only available used these days – Stephen Bulger is said to have a signed copy available) in the issue 23-5 pdf on the free members-only DVD. See above or at right to join. Email Lilianne at member@phsc.ca if you have a question.

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remembering Bill

Posted on June 4, 2025 by Robert

a younger William (Bill) Sanford courtesy of the Toronto Star

Toronto. One thing we in the true north are truly blessed with is the number of quality photographers of all stripes. One such professional was Bill Sandford. Sadly Bill passed away this month (May). He died in London, Ontario at 78 on the 20th.

Bill was one of the gung-ho brand of photographers – the news photographer –  ready to go on a moment’s notice; ready to get the special, dramatic shot.

He was a staff photographer for two decades at the Toronto Sun and its predecessor, the Toronto Telegram (remember the “pink” Tely on weekends?).

I well remember the November, 1979 Mississauga train derailment which Bill photographed. One of his photos of that startling event won the National News Paper award (the photo is displayed in the Sun obit).

Bill went on to do assignments for both the Toronto Star, and the Toronto Globe & Mail. Obituaries were recently printed in the Sun and in the Star. Our thanks to PHSC president Clint Hryhorijiw, who knew Bill, for emailing me the details of this loss of Canadian talent (Clint said years ago the two ‘chased ambulances’ together).

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hey, guys, it’s CAMERAMA time again …

Posted on June 3, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Gary sent over an email the other day. His summer CAMERAMA show is this Sunday, June 8th at the JCCC. Come on out and enjoy the show – Gary tells me the tables have sold out so there will be lots of great stuff for your collection!  Here are the details:

Next Camerama Camera Show
Sunday, June 8th, 2025.
Now in our 29th Year!
 
Same great location and time as always: 
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
6 Sakura Way, Toronto, M3C 1Z5
Show Hours: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Admission $10, Students $8 (with valid ID)
 

All vendor tables are SOLD OUT so we should have a great show!

 
By the way, our next show date is: Sept. 28 2025.
 
If you have any questions or concerns let me know.
Regards, Gary
 
Gary Perry
Camerama Show
Phone/Text: 905-550-7477

 

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before movies, radio, TV we had …

Posted on June 2, 2025 by Robert

Quidi Vidi Harbour in NL c1899

Toronto. … stereo cards.  These often well photographed three dimensional cards gave folks  entertainment and education before the many ‘opiates’ of the 20th century became common place (as a child in the 1940s, I was enthralled with a relative’s ‘basket’ of stereo cards and viewer).

Stereo card groups or themes entertained the masses, offered travelogues, taught us medicine and other esoteric topics best seen in 3D for clarity. While long replaced by movies, radio, television, video, and internet sites, collectors pick up interesting cards for their collections; cards often available at our events like the trunk sale this summer.

The cover shot for issue 23-4 shows one half of a travelogue stereo card introducing its viewers to the beauties of Newfoundland. The card shows Quidi Vidi harbour in Newfoundland just before the start of the 20th century.

Editor (late) Bob Lansdale describes the scene as follows, “Stereo card #13173 by B.W. Kilburn of Littleton, N.H. provides our cover image. Inscribed: Beautiful Kitty Vitty the scene shows the harbour of Quidi Vidi in Newfoundland. Kilburn copyrighted the image in 1899. James M. Davis, as primary distributor, has his name imprinted on most cards.”

Be sure to visit our 2025 events as shown at right under “PHSC EVENTS”.

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hand in glove

Posted on June 1, 2025 by Robert

two astronauts use a ‘glove box’ – photo by Don Pettit courtesy of CTV news

Toronto. In the summer of 1969, we were ecstatic to see on TV a B&W news short of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. For the first time ever man created enough energy in a rocket to break the hold of  gravity and float to our moon.

Years earlier, in high school I learned that we needed a powerful enough rocket to off-set the pull of gravity before we could ‘escape’ to other worlds/planets. People today seem blasé about such feats, taking the international space station (ISS) in stride.

For the photo at left the CTV news cut line reads, “Superb science: Don Pettit captures the hands of NASA astronauts Nick Hague, left, and Suni Williams inside the Life Sciences Glovebox, a facility at the International Space Station. (Don Pettit/NASA)”.

In a recent email, my friend Clint (PHSC president, auctioneer, fair coordinator, HR department, columnist, etc. – and professional photographer) Sent this link to a CTV news article, “Through an astronaut’s lens: Images from a photographer in space” that displayed some of astronaut Don Pettit’s photos. Take a peek at them – definitely other-worldly …

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the minute man in video

Posted on May 31, 2025 by Robert

Mr Polaroid – Edwin Land in a matrix of SX-70 prints

Toronto. Today’s photographers and snap-shooters know  any photos they take are displayed ‘instantly’, ready to be edited or sent world-wide as is. It wasn’t always the case. In late 1948, Dr Edwin Land first offered his famous B&W Polaroid 95 camera and system in NYC.

My friend, Bill Belier, was a sales rep at the time for the company importing Polaroid cameras in Canada. He told me the news was so electrifying and the camera sold well – beyond the modest stock on hand – that he had to limit products to his clients.

While the digital set today may sneer at the idea of ‘pictures in a minute’, the time interval was revolutionary to film photographers used to anything from hours to days (or longer) before their efforts could be seen.

My friend and fellow PHSC member, president Clint Hryhorijiw, sent me an email recently saying, “A number of members have approached me, especially at the recent fair, about this PBS program . It would be great to let everyone know about it. ”

And with his note was a link to “Mr Polaroid” on PBS. A few videos on the revolutionary process are offered. Chapter 1 begins with the impact of the SX-70 when first introduced in Miami (fast, portable, SLR, and colour prints). Other Polaroid cameras are also shown (both B&W and colour) – then follows a bio of Edwin Land and a history of his company (Polaroid). Have a look and enjoy!

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credit where credit’s due

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Robert

Professor Marta Braun of Ryerson (now TMU)

Toronto. The PHSC from its beginning has been blessed with many well educated members – lawyers, professors, software designers, managers, professional photographers, etc. For example, issue 23-4 picks out Dr Marta Braun, professor of  Image Arts at Ryerson Polytechnic University (now TMU) in Toronto.

Marta spoke at our October, 1994 meeting on Marey  and his photographic experiments on motion studies.  In 1992 her book on Marey was copyrighted and published in hard cover to world-wide accolades. And four years later (1996) she was honoured by the French government.

The journal article is written by Bruce Piercey of Ryerson/TMU and begins, “Marta Braun, professor of Image Arts at Ryerson Polytechnic University in Toronto, has been honoured by the French government for her acclaimed book on the scientist and photographer Etienne-Jules Marey.

“Prof. Braun was awarded the Knight of the Order of Academic Palms by the government of France in a special ceremony during the “Alliance Française” in Toronto. The French consul general presented her with the medal which is given to those who have rendered services to the cause of French knowledge, culture, scientific progress and education.

“The award is equivalent to the Legion of Honour, being the highest honorific title for academics; both awards were created by Napoleon 1st.” …

Members can look up and read about Marta in the issue 23-4 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See above or at right under Membership to join/renew (please indicate which). Questions? Email Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

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just desserts

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Robert

Jeffrey Wood on way to hearing last Friday (bookcased by his legal team. Photo by Chris Tanouye for the CP

Toronto. My friend Clint Hryhorijiw sent me an email recently with a link to CTV news. The next day I had a phone call from good friend George Dunbar who read the same article in the Globe and Mail (The Globe article is behind a pay wall which may restrict your reading).

Some time back (March 16, 2025), I did a post on the arrest of Mr Wood who stole a famous Karsh portrait of Churchill in an Ottawa hotel and replaced it with a fake to deter discovery.

Both Clint and George contacted me to say Wood was sentenced to two years less a day for the theft given the extenuating circumstances. The article is of interest as the portrait is famous, and the photographer was also based in Ottawa. Small world indeed!

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