Tag Archives: darkroom

it isn’t easy being square …

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Most cameras/negatives produce a rectangular image but some do not. Instead, the photographer can expose for the square image, or visualize a landscape or portrait print. One issue with smaller cameras was the ‘squinty’ viewfinder. To solve this issue, … Continue reading →

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you can get any lot you want …

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. At our Feb 15th auction. An example is this package of 4×5 film by polaroid (lot 462).IMPORTANT: OUR Jan 25th AUCTION WAS RESCHEDULED TO FEB 15th DUE TO BAD WEATHER. Cameras and lenses old and newish are featured in … Continue reading →

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for medical apparatus collectors…

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. … an electrifying experience! In the last century inventions and innovations exploded. And with no pressure to ‘prove’ any advertised claim, it was a wild west show to make a buck. This led to many odd ball gizmos and … Continue reading →

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Museum Auction Pt 2 – Feb 15, 2026

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Our first 2026 event is our February 15, 2026 Museum Auction, Part 2 featuring more lots from the Sherman Hines Museum plus other estate items. Sorry, no consignment lots. Questions? Drop auctioneer Clint a note at auction@phsc.ca. The yellow … Continue reading →

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curiouser and curiouser …

Posted on November 15, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. The good reverend Dodgson (a.k.a. Lewis Carroll) was both a photographer and author (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland , anyone?). He was a  contemporary of  Julia Margaret Cameron, who he took in a portrait. Unfortunately, few of his photographs survive. … Continue reading →

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Dektol the halls …

Posted on November 13, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Just past mid last century, I used Kodak’s Dektol developer to process prints. Those who are frugal and wish to “roll their own” can use the D-72 formula in the old “Photo-Lab-Index” (not the compact one) or just browse … Continue reading →

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hello darkness, my old friend (II)

Posted on November 12, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Throughout most of the plate/film era a darkroom was de regueur to see the negative exposure as a positive plate or print. For many years a red/yellowish safe light – black to non-panchromatic emulsions but visible to the human … Continue reading →

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last run …

Posted on October 17, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Old image collectors sometimes have photos that are railway related. Perhaps they are kept in a separate group, or just lumped into a transportation category. The photo at left is just slightly out of focus (perhaps due to the … Continue reading →

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postcards from home

Posted on October 16, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Old Photo Collectors often are postcard collectors too. Many postcards use photography as a tool to capture events, people, buildings, etc. in colour or in monotone to be hand coloured. At left is the RVH on Ross Street in … Continue reading →

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merry bag-o-wheels

Posted on October 15, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. The automobile has been with us for over a century and a quarter now, replacing the bicycle on the road over 100 years ago. Collectors find old auto photos of particular interest and often add a category of “automobile” … Continue reading →

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