Tag Archives: lens

ye gads, a tryclopes

Posted on April 27, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Greek mythology had the Cyclopes – a gang of scary giants with one eye in the middle of the forehead! Issue 23-3 uses a photo of an unusual “three-eye” turret device mounted on a Leica camera as its cover … Continue reading →

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blink of an eye

Posted on April 17, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Up until dry plates became common, camera shutters were simply unnecessary. Timing could be easily set by holding something like a dark hat over the lens then briefly removing and replacing it. Once dry plates and later film became … Continue reading →

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shades of 1997

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. In 1997, editor Bob Lansdale took the ‘bull by the horns’ and did his own photography of our events for the journal. This quartet of photos was featured in issue 23-1 to record the auction held that spring. In … Continue reading →

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frame subjects from afar

Posted on December 22, 2024 by Robert

  Toronto.   In early 1981, at one of our fairs, I bought an odd looking viewfinder from a Mr Hyman. Actually, he had a box of Leica stuff that I picked up. Most items were for use with  Telyt … Continue reading →

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compact but wide

Posted on December 21, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Taking advantage of the rangefinder (no need for mirror clearance) Leitz marketed a pocket watch size extra wide field of view 28m lens – the Hektor 2.8cm f/6.3 ‘HOOPY’ in 1934. This little lens allowed for ultra wide outdoor … Continue reading →

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squaring a different circle …

Posted on November 25, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. From the beginnings of photography until well into the last century a common camera design was the field camera or its many variations. Basically the sensitive media was separated from the lens and (when needed) shutter mechanism by a … Continue reading →

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you could shoot a can(n)on down main street …

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. … at midnight and not hit a soul. This was a common expression when I was a kid. It was used to describe a sleepy little town or village. And speaking of Canons, we will have some great bodies … Continue reading →

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daddy, daddy, come and see …

Posted on October 28, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. … lots and lots of lots for you and me (apologies to Hellerman and Minkof). I first heard this song in the mid 1960s sung hauntingly by Harry Belafonte. Next month, November 24th, we will host our fall Estates … Continue reading →

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just zoomin’ along

Posted on October 27, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. In the late 1950s, when I bought my Exakta, ZOOM lenses for 35mm cameras were rather short on focal length range, slower than prime lenses,  heavier, had serious distortion, and were far more expensive. In 1959, Kilfitt in Germany … Continue reading →

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shoot wide … wider … wider

Posted on October 26, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. These days through the magic of technology, 35mm SLR/DSLR cameras can use wide angle lenses of focal lengths unheard of a century ago. For example, this Canon lens (lot 101) is an amazingly wide 20mm lens! It is just … Continue reading →

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