Tag Archives: ad

what a bargain!

Posted on April 25, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. I’ve noticed over the years that in every industry larger companies buy up smaller ones for a variety of reasons – features, expanded territory, potential, etc. The photographic industry was/is no different as attested by the early years of … Continue reading →

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Christmas time and the giftin’ is easy

Posted on March 14, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Well this is either a few months late or a lot of months early for Christmas! My thanks to George Dunbar for sharing this piece of history with us – a December 1951 ad from Kodak in Popular Mechanics … Continue reading →

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broaden the beam, matey

Posted on March 6, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. In the early days of photography, studios took portraits by soft northern light, avoided appointments on cloudy days, used ‘unobtrusive’ hand holds, neck braces and clamps to hold the patient, (I meant subject) steady for the seconds/minutes needed to … Continue reading →

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miracle projector

Posted on January 16, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. The toy advertised back in November, 1949 was hardly a new invention since opaque projectors had been around for decades. This dinky little box sat on a picture about 3×4 inches and  projected it on a screen a few … Continue reading →

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pixilated

Posted on January 14, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Can you imagine a “fine precision camera” for only $6.25 US including a roll of colour film, shipping and all taxes? No? I can’t either, but that is what the makers claimed in this  July, 1949 ad. The cheap … Continue reading →

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a brighter view

Posted on January 12, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. One issue that Kodak likely had with its folders and box cameras was tiny, dim, viewers. Kodak solved this problem in many ways. One was advertised in the April, 1949 issue of Popular Mechanics – a TLR with a … Continue reading →

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Oh Sun-Ray Days

Posted on December 27, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. When minicams became the norm, enlargers were no longer an option but became a necessity to make prints from the tiny minicam negatives. Amateurs reluctant to buy high end enlargers (Durst, Omega, Beseler, Leitz, etc.)  costing much more than … Continue reading →

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so last century!

Posted on December 23, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Last century nearly every kid remembers getting a camera or camera kit for Christmas (most likely a Kodak).  Today kids  will still ask for gifts, but not for a camera or camera kit. Instead, top of the list would … Continue reading →

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just another ad for the Beacon II

Posted on December 18, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. George Dunbar came across this ad in Popular Mechanics for July 1948 and shared it with us. I did a couple of posts on this typical box camera and its predecessor (both dressed up to look like the popular … Continue reading →

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pirates of New York City

Posted on November 15, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Univex (Universal Camera Corp) advertised its Buccaneer 35mm camera in November, 1947, a few years before declaring bankruptcy. Known for their unusual camera designs, the company was said to be ethically challenged. The body of the Buccaneer shown in this … Continue reading →

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