high-end stereo

Posted on August 27, 2024 by Robert

Shooting Stereo in style

Toronto. There are many ways to take stereo photographs. One method is by using two  identical cameras and concocting a means to set off both shutters simultaneously. Then member, photographer  Alldyn Clark, built his own stereo base and used a couple of Hasselblads to create a nifty stereo camera,

In issue 15-5 Alldyn writes an article about his experiences in stereo (Into The Third Dimension). In his article, he uses both text and photographs. He begins as follows, “As a young boy, there had always been for me the enjoyment of classical music. I would sometimes sing to myself, picking up tunes as I walked to school each day.

“In 1941. at the age of ten, I was stricken with cerebro-spinal meningitis which left me with total deafness.

“Without hearing. I naturally took an interest in the surrounding things that I could see. One of them being motion pictures and the other, photography. I could enjoy myself and impress others with this new-found medium.

“One day in 1945 at a school for the deaf, I asked my girlfriend for her picture. She suggested that I take one myself if I wanted it badly enough. Some nerve! I was stuck; I had no camera, money or knowledge.”

Members read all of this article, learning the outcome and how to make a stereo bar too! Issue 15-5 is one of many pdf files on the free (to members) DVD which contains the first 40 volumes of our journal plus extras including a searchable index. Not a member yet? No sweat! see the menu item ‘MEMBERSHIP’ above and the buttons to the right. Questions? Email our Membership Secretary, Lilianne Schneider at member@phsc.ca.

By the way, visit our fall events – you may even find a Hassy or two. The next event is our annual fall fair on October 20th. I will be posting details in a few weeks.

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cheaper by the dozen

Posted on August 26, 2024 by Robert

an unusual Display Box for Cabinet Cards – Robert Wilson

Toronto.  From the earliest days of photography, a photographic portrait was a bit pricey for many. In the 1860s when albumen prints on CdVs came along, copies of a print became so cheap that photos could be shared. This introduced the Victorian pastime of the photo album, later collected by many. As the sales of CdVs fell off, larger size photos such as cabinet cards became the norm.

One elaborate means to display these remarkable photographs was the display box. The image at left is an unusual display box as described by Dr Wilson in his article An Unusual Cabinet Card Display Box which appears in issue 15-5 of our journal.

Bob’s article begins, “Nearly every home in the mid to late 19th century had an assortment of portraits of family and friends on display. These were usually mounted on cards inscribed with a credit for the photographer.

“The 2 1/2 by 4 inch carte-de-visite [CdV] was most popular in the early 1860’s. In 1867, the larger 4 1/2 by 6 1/2 inch cabinet card was introduced to improve sales as interest in the small cards was beginning to wane.

“These portraits were usually kept in photograph albums to be easily shared with visitors. Some of these were very plain, while others were quite ornate. At least one family stored their cabinet card portraits in the display box illustrated here.

“It is a wooden box with a plush yellow fabric covering. There are two glass windows on the top of the box through which you are able to see the portraits. When the box is turned upside down, two more portraits can be seen through two similar windows on the bottom.

“When the top of the box is unlocked and opened, you can see wooden frames which hold the cabinet cards. There are 23 of these frames which hold 46 portraits back to back, stacked in two piles side by side inside the box.”

Members could read the rest of the article -and all of volumes 1-40 – in pdf format on the free (to members) DVD. Not a member? Join today! See the menu item ‘MEMBERSHIP’ if you wish to send a cheque, or the buttons at right if you prefer to use a debit or credit card (or if you wish to use your personal PayPal account). Questions can be sent to our Membership Secretary, Lilianne Schneider at member@phsc.ca.

And if you collect photos or albums including display boxes, or any other photographic items, visit our events this fall. The next event is our fall fair on October 20th.

Note: While the post title is a Clifton Webb movie title, I thought a song from the Cowboy Junkies as sung by Margo Timmins would be appropriate, so here is  ’cause cheap is how I feel.

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Larry Gubas 1942 – 2020

Posted on August 25, 2024 by Robert

Larry Gubas in 2003 courtesy of Bob Lansdale

Toronto. Larry was our Zeiss expert. He completed his massive opus on Zeiss and Photography (©2015) just a few years before he shuffled off this mortal coil, after 78 years. The dates and some material used here are courtesy of his widow, Nancy Gubas. As noted in a 2003 post, Larry spoke to the PHSC in Toronto in May of that year. The photo at left is from that meeting and was adjusted in Topaz Photo AI.

In a more recent post, Mike Eckman mentioned on his site that Larry was the last president of the Zeiss Historica Society (ZHS) which ceased to exist in 2016. Larry spent many years in the ZHS and published three books on Zeiss products: Microscopes, Binoculars, and Photographic items. To write the books, Larry visited many collectors as well as the Zeiss facilities in Europe.

His enthusiasm and knowledge will be missed by all of us at the PHSC as well as Zeiss enthusiasts everywhere.

A Note on the ZHS: Unlike most photo collector societies, ZHS focused on ALL Zeiss products, not just cameras and accessories. At its peak, the ZHS numbered about 500 members world wide. By 2016 when it closed forever, membership was down to Larry as president and editor, and a second gentleman as treasurer (he was preparing to retire from the duty). Some of the PHSC members were also ZHS members and for a brief period the journal, Zeiss Historica, was published and printed here in Toronto.

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store interior c1912 cSaskatchewan

Posted on August 24, 2024 by Robert

a c1912 General Store interior in the Canadian prairies

Toronto. Issue 15-5 has a few columns including Dr Wilson’s Image of the Month. Bob ‘s text accompanies an interior shot of a retail general store most likely in Saskatchewan. In his article, Bob discusses the various collecting categories favoured by photo collectors.

His article for the early spring of 1990 begins, “Collectors seek out and value early photographs for a number of reasons – for the photographic processes used, for the photographer of the image, for the location (town or country) or for the subject matter.

“Photographic collectors particularly like images showing photographers at work. Other collectors relate to their interest in cars, fire engines, oil lamps, dolls etc. Some collect early photographic images for the way that they document life in earlier times. This image tells a lot about life in a general store in the early twentieth century.

“In the centre is a large stove, with a coal bucket beside it. The image was taken at a time of year when the stove was being used, or the bucket would be stored away until fall.”

Part of the collecting excitement is researching the find whether it is an image or a piece of hardware. Members can read Bob’s article in full in the pdf file version of issue 15-5 on the free ‘members only’ DVD. You can join the society (it’s cheap and easy) by using the ‘MEMBERSHIP’ menu item above (sending a cheque) or the membership material at right (using a credit card or personal PayPal account). Any questions should be addressed to our Membership Secretary, Lilianne Schneider, at member@phsc.ca.

Of course our fall events will feature lots of collectibles. Come and see while meeting friends old and new. The next event is our annual fall fair (October 20th).

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great Scott! an early Zeiss shutter

Posted on August 23, 2024 by Robert

a c1893 Zeiss shutter from our journal issue 15-4

Toronto. You never know what gems hide in our journals! In issue 15-4 Ev Roseborough wrote an article titled, “An Early Zeiss Shutter“. Early indeed! The box (from Bill Belier’s collection) contains some lenses and the shutter (c1893). Also included is a hand-drawn sketch plus notes hand written in early German.

The shutter photo was nicely enhanced by Topaz Photo AI which has yet to successfully handle text. The photo was reduced to thumbnail size in Affinity Photo which in many ways mimics Photoshop, but not the Adobe monthly fee business plan.

Ev writes in part, “On Nov. 8, 1893 Carl Zeiss patented a shutter of the above description. An ink sketch pasted in the box cover indicates that this timer controlled both aperture and exposure by the diaphragm. Fastened to each lens mount with screws, it engaged a projecting arm, the travel of which detemined the aperture; exposure was by controlled release of the air from the bulb.

“The script has baffled several german scholars; hopefully someone may have a complete unit.”

Of course members can read Ev’s complete text in the pdf version of issue 15-4 on the (free to members) DVD. Not a member? See the notes under menu item ‘MEMBERSHIP’ above or to use a card or PayPal account, the buttons to the right of this page. Any questions or problems, drop a message to our membership secretary, Lilianne Schneider, at member@phsc.ca.

You may come across an early Zeiss shutter/lens at one of our fall events. Certainly, you will discover items that will nicely add to your personal collection. Our next fall event is the fair on October 20, 2024. I will add a poster as we near the event.

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leave it to George

Posted on August 22, 2024 by Robert

George Bernard Shaw photographed by Violet Keene

Toronto. At left is another fine example of work by Violet Keene, Minna’s daughter. Image collectors may focus their searches on the famous, like Mr Shaw, known for his plays (eg Pygmalion), or a particular studio, image quality, process, age, etc.

This image is the cover photo of issue 15-4 which includes Ev’s article on Violet Keene as well as Andrew Rodger’s article on her mother (see the ‘keen scenes’ post below.

Collectors – visit our events this fall. While we can’t be sure you will spot a photo of a celebrity, we can be sure you will find something for your collection, be it a photo or hardware. The next event is our fall fair on October 20th. A poster and details will go up next month as we approach the October date.

Note: The title of this post is riff on a 1950s TV program, “Leave it to Beaver“.

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fine feathers

Posted on August 21, 2024 by Robert

two birds of prey mounted for display -photo c1870s

Toronto. Issue 15-4 includes an Image of the Month column by the late Dr Wilson. The photo, featuring a couple birds of prey stuffed and mounted, may attract those folk who collect images of nature (birds being a sub-set).

Bob begin this column as follows, “Henry G. Vennor began studying Canadian Birds of Prey about 1863. As a Geologist with the Geological Survey of Canada from 1865 to 1881, he travelled extensively throughout Southern Ontario and Western Quebec. While the main reason for these travels was to record the geological features of the area, he was always on the lookout for birds, taking notes about those that he observed.

“In 1876, his notes were published in a book which described every species of Falcon, Hawk, Buzzard, Harrier, Eagle and Owl which had been found in Canada up to that time.

“Vennor’s book was illustrated with 30 mounted albumen prints of stuffed specimens of the birds which were described in the book. This photograph shows the Pigeon Hawk and the American Merlin. According to the introduction, the use of photography ‘ . . . attempted even a few years back, could not but have resulted in failure; but, today, to such perfection has this art been brought, that the pictures produced by it are not only beautiful, but truthful to the most minute detail’.”

As usual, members can read all of Bob’s column in the issue 15-4 pdf file on the ‘free to members’ PHSC DVD. Not a member? Details in above menu or to the right. A copy of the DVD will be sent via Canada Post upon your registration. Questions? drop a line to Membership Secretary, Lilianne Schneider, at member@phsc.ca.

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keen scenes

Posted on August 20, 2024 by Robert

“Nursing Child: c1907. Photo by Minna Keene. (Archivist PA-126629)

Toronto. Image collectors should keep a watchful eye out for photographs taken by known photographers such as the Keenes. Mina and Violet Keene were mother and daughter photographers best known in the Oakville area.

Issue 15-4 has two articles on them. The first (on Minna), by Andrew Roger, originally appeared in the Archivist while the second (on daughter Violet) is by Ev Roseborough  for Photographic Canadiana.

Discussing Violet, Ev begins, “My first acquaintance with Violet Perinchief was sometime in 1932, when I was introduced to a soft-spoken person in a soft dress and large straw hat trimmed with flowers. It was my job to have advertising copy, written by Eleanor Stephens, approved by the new manager of The Portrait Studio, situated in Eaton’s – College Street, adjacent to the Art Gallery, on the second floor. This building had opened two years earlier, in Toronto.

“Soft drapery and flowers were to become a characteristic of her work and a hat was almost always worn in the studio. She lived in a gentle world of her own making and surrounded her sitters with an ambience enhanced by soft lighting and drapery.

“Violet Perinchief was the daughter of Minna Keene about whom Andrew Rodger has written on previous pages. Minna Keene’s position as a photographer of note in several countries had been firmly established. Her father, Caleb Keene, was an antique and art dealer, painter in oils and furniture designer, also widely known for his exquisitely executed Chinese lacquer cabinetry.”

The stories can be read in full in the pdf version of 15-4 which is on the PHSC DVD sent to all members. The DVD has copies of volumes 1-40 of our journal with each issue in pdf format. You can become a member and receive a DVD at no additional cost by following the information above in the ‘MEMBERSHIP’ menu item if you write a cheque or at right for use of a credit card or a PayPal account.

Visit our fall events to see if there is an item for your collection. The next event is our fall fair on October 20th. Details will be posted here next month.

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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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