Tag Archives: lens

top ‘o the mornin’ to ya

Posted on March 17, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. As we near St Pattie’s day, this is a suitable post. It is based on a follow up article titled “A SECOND LOOK …”. Editor Lansdale expands on photographer John Turner reporting a lens swap between Dr Mike Robinson … Continue reading →

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its getting closer

Posted on March 5, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. As Leitz moved to the phenomenally successful M-series cameras, the accessories changed to complement the new line. A strange ‘bug-eyed’ little gadget called a SOOKY-M is just such a wonder. Like the screw mount NOOKY, this gadget gives the … Continue reading →

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a penny for your thoughts

Posted on March 1, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. When the widely popular little Leica cameras first came out in the mid 1920s they were very utilitarian in design. To meet demand for features and versatility, Leitz made accessories. In many cases an accessory simply over-came an earlier … Continue reading →

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a really rare one

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. I often mention that wet plate cameras usually self destruct as they are used. In this rare example shown in Bill Belier’s column in issue 26-4 it is described by its present owner – Mike Robinson. Bill begins, “Our … Continue reading →

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keeping it small …

Posted on January 25, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Lot 339 in February’s auction (Feb 15th) is a fine example of keeping cameras small, This Balda folds up like a Retina and can be dropped in a pocket. The auction lots include many small 35mm cameras and a … Continue reading →

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field of view

Posted on January 24, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. In the 1800s professional outdoor photographers were easy to spot: A dark viewing cloth, a wooden tripod and a field camera shouted it out loud! The wooden view camera spanned the wet plate and dry plate eras. Smaller, metal … Continue reading →

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focussing issue resolved …

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Consistent with editor Lansdale’s inspiration to celebrate our 25th anniversary, the folks at the Cascade Panorama Historical Society sent in a juicy article by Milan Zahorcak titled, “What the …?”. Milan describes the problem raised when an old lens … Continue reading →

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cooking the books …

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. … is a common expression for redoing accounting entries to intentionally favour someone. In the case of photography, some products were re-badged to show a different maker and/or country. In this case, the maker and country are shown as … Continue reading →

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what about the …

Posted on November 24, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. …Tasmanian Leica Lens? In celebration of our 25th anniversary, editor Bob Lansdale cajoled the editors of our exchange journals to offer up an article for Photographic Canadiana. Ray Moss of the LHSA submitted Chris Kok’s article, “The Tasmanian Leica … Continue reading →

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like no other …

Posted on November 23, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. The name Petzval is familiar to photographic historians and collectors. The original lens won a contest for a fast portrait lens shortly after the invention of the Daguerreotype technology was released. Eder’s book on the History of Photography (Dover … Continue reading →

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