Tag Archives: film

making a brighter day

Posted on December 3, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. In today’s world of smart phone ‘auto everything’ cameras, it is hard to imagine sensors so slow that sharp outdoor action shots are a no-no. But in the late 1940s, colour film was just that. Its sensitivity was abysmally … Continue reading →

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getting to know you

Posted on December 2, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. In the days of print, camera makers, photographic chemistry manufacturers, studios, etc. used printed media to promote their wares. In fact George Dunbar has used the various magazine ads and articles of yesteryear as a source of photographic history. … Continue reading →

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when we thought ten pounds was light …

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. In this day of smart phones, it’s hard to imagine an accessory that was about 10 pounds in weight and a six inch square ten inches high with a flashgun stuck on the top and a tripod thread stuck … Continue reading →

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still into analogue (a.k.a. film)?

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. After nearly 20 years of serious digital technology, many folks still enjoy the mystique of analogue (film). The folks at Lomography know this! For 30 years now they have offered cameras and films for the niche enthusiast. A recent … Continue reading →

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the importance of being fixed

Posted on November 25, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. By 1802, the sensitivity of silver halides to light was known in scientific circles. Thomas Wedgwood managed to make ‘photograms‘ – silhouettes on leather but could not make the photograms permanent. The delicate images – even kept in darkness … Continue reading →

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disappearing heirlooms

Posted on November 24, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. We have all seen Victorian Photo Albums chock full of CDVs etc. at fairs, auctions, and sometimes used goods stores. The albums came along around the mid 1800s when cheap CDVs became available and a place to store and … Continue reading →

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celebrity endorsements

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. In the early days of minicams, makers used explorers and others who demanded perfection under extreme conditions. Post war. celebrities became popular in ads as if they used the cameras shown. Naive folk seeing the ad might choose a … Continue reading →

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before TV; before video;

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. … we had home movies. Originally 16mm, during the depression Kodak began selling 8mm versions and post war in a scramble to expand market size and improve image quality, Kodak moved to ‘Super 8’. In the late 1930s, Kodachrome … Continue reading →

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days of war surplus photo supplies and gear

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Some of us may remember the days when the local war surplus store had stocks of photo paper, film, chemicals, equipment, etc. at big discounts since the cost was already paid once by tax dollars. This November, 1947 American … Continue reading →

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win some … lose some …

Posted on November 12, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Did you ever think about technological trade-offs? Overtime better ways to manufacture; better quality; lower cost; broader acceptance; etc. all worked together to wring out lower cost and better quality to the consumer. Just consider photography. In the early … Continue reading →

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