Tag Archives: Field Camera

numero uno

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. This c1927 British field camera, ‘The UNA Traveller‘ is well named. The robust yet light construction meant it was reliable world wide – from jungle to desert to arctic. In his column for the early 2010 issue of Photographic … Continue reading →

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making a woodie that works

Posted on May 30, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. While teaching at Humber College, PHSC member (and speaker) Neil Fox taught photography. He had his students construct their own ‘woodie’ to learn the art from the ground up. In the 1800s, skill in carpentry and bellows layout allowed … Continue reading →

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a darkening day

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Today, we are rather blasé about solar eclipses. but how were they handled over a century ago? A dark shield was still needed to protect eyes, but the cameras as shown here were far different. This scene of a … Continue reading →

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cool!

Posted on May 19, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. When I saw this article sent to me by George Dunbar, it reminded me of two things: the movie shorts about  ‘Our Gang‘ and the Saturday Evening Post sketches by well known illustrator, Norman Rockwell. Anyone who studied optics … Continue reading →

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ya seen one …

Posted on September 5, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. …ya seen ’em all! Or so a cynic might say. And with reason. Broadly speaking, cameras, cars, computers – and any other mass produced thing  begins to look the same as its stable mates. To a critical eye, they … Continue reading →

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nearly as scarce as hens’ teeth

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. Have you ever seen an authentic wet-plate camera in fine condition? No? Brass lenses from the wet-plate period abound at fairs like ours, but few cameras exist and even fewer unrestored ones in top condition. And there is good … Continue reading →

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THINK … small

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. Decades ago, people said that to get ahead, one had to think big! IBM even had a catch phrase – THINK. Years later when I worked in  a data centre,  IBM folk could get these IBM signs in capital … Continue reading →

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photographer Alan Mungavin takes a shower in 1950

Posted on June 13, 2018 by Robert

Toronto. Well George Dunbar has spotted another funny photo-related essay! In the July 10th, 1950 LIFE magazine issue (6th bullet down in link), British photographer Alan Mungavin set up to take a photo with an old shutterless field camera. As … Continue reading →

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Camera Tales – Cirkut Camera Again

Posted on March 19, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. Late last November I did a post about the  Cirkut camera called Clocks for Seeing. The author of the Clocks for Seeing article, David Firman, has recently been in touch with journal editor Bob Lansdale and included Bob’s contribution … Continue reading →

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