Tag Archives: books

okay gang, let’s go to the fair

Posted on May 21, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Lordy, Lordy, it’s that time again! In just a few more days (on the 24th), the PHSC will host its 51st spring fair. An extravaganza of photographica ephemera for those who collect old cameras and accessories, or old photos, … Continue reading →

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spring time, fair time …

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. For 51 years now, the PHSC has featured its Spring Fair. The fair tables are filled with photographica of one style or another. Visitors can rapidly expand the size and interest of their collection with a sharp and thoughtful … Continue reading →

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back in the day

Posted on May 9, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. It’s fair time once again. The example at left from our fall fair in 2001. The Teleca is one of the popular combination binoculars and camera. At the time, I had a 7×50 pair of binoculars with a Minox … Continue reading →

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two to go

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. An interesting category for image collectors is weddings and their celebrations. The example at left took place on Vancouver Island over a century ago near Sooke, BC. People from Ontario and immigrants from England as well as BC folk … Continue reading →

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committing Hari-Arri

Posted on May 2, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Lot 237, in our spring auction tomorrow, is a turret style, three lens Arriflex camera and two film magazines Arri is one of the prestigious high end movie camera makers. The cameras are manufactured to robust specifications to withstand … Continue reading →

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mini projector for mini slides

Posted on April 29, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. The tiny Minox is the ultimate spy camera. It was created in 1937, just before WW2, in Riga, Latvia. The chain on the tiny camera has ‘buttons’ for inches matching the lens focus settings for up close exposures. The … Continue reading →

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different speeds; different focal lengths; same name

Posted on April 28, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. The Zeiss lens configuration called “Tessar” has gone down in history like the famous Elmar 5cm f/3.5 lens from Leitz. Lot 121 in our May 3rd spring Estate auction is a very recent Tessar complete with a leather case. … Continue reading →

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a pocket full of lenses

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Interchangeable lens cameras need somewhere to put the extra lenses. Often the lens came with a case or one could be purchased. Over the years these cases (or pockets) were made of various materials: metal (aluminum) for tropical use; … Continue reading →

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can you see me now? …

Posted on April 26, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. …asked the youngster as she walked further away from the camera. Any photographer worth his salt had auxiliary lenses for his interchangeable lens camera. At left is a fine example of a tele lens for a Hasselblad – lot … Continue reading →

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is there a Hassy in your future?

Posted on April 23, 2026 by Robert

Toronto.  Swede Victor Hasselblad was a respected inventor and  ‘birder’. In WW2, his firm was asked to produce cameras for the Swedish Air Force rivalling one made by a German firm. After WW2, he designed a camera that suited his … Continue reading →

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