Tag Archives: Minolta

a super lens

Posted on February 6, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. In the late 1950s, I volunteered to serve in Labrador on a then new Tropospheric Scatter telephone network joining a few remote towns and mines to the outside world. While training for the job, I bought my first 35mm … Continue reading →

Posted in camera | Tagged , , | Comments Off on a super lens

Montreal, Minolta, Marvellous

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. Before heading north to Labrador, I spent a few months training in the old Salada Tea Building on St Lawrence in Montreal. To an Ontario boy, Montreal discounts were exciting. The best camera deals were said to be at … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Montreal, Minolta, Marvellous

typewriters and cameras? really?

Posted on December 9, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. When I was a kid, a popular saying was that “a picture is worth a thousand words“.  In the late 1960s, there were two big ideas in amateur cameras: Super 8 home movies, and 16mm sub-miniature cameras. By then … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on typewriters and cameras? really?

Rokkin’ lenses

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. By 1963, the Japanese Optical industry was a tsunami roaring across the Western world. No longer viewed as copy cats of German technology, Japan was rightfully recognized as a serious contender for high quality optical products. A December 6, … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Rokkin’ lenses

cheap and practical

Posted on November 2, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. Not all lots are high end gear at our estate auction coming on the 17th of this month. When my kids were young, I bought them Konica C35 cameras. My youngest daughter even took her blue camera to Europe. … Continue reading →

Posted in camera | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on cheap and practical

a camera for the common man

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. I first heard American composer Aaron Copland’s “fanfare for the common man” back in late 1957 when I picked up a Westminster LP titled “Copland“. And like Copland’s well covered composition, the little Minolta was indeed made for the … Continue reading →

Posted in camera | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on a camera for the common man

PHSC News 17-07 (January 2018)

Posted on January 13, 2018 by Robert

Toronto. Our good friend and fellow PHSC member, Sonja Pushchak, has whipped up another tasty morsel for you with her 12 page issue 17-07 of PHSC NEWS, our monthly pdf newsletter. Click on the Minolta Disc-7 icon at left to … Continue reading →

Posted in newsletter | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on PHSC News 17-07 (January 2018)

Full Circle

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. In 1957, I started the big adventure of my life. I joined Bell’s Tropospheric Scatter project which would bring telephone communications to remote areas of Northern Quebec and Labrador. Training was based in Montreal in the old Salada Tea … Continue reading →

Posted in camera | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Full Circle

Happy Birthday Little Nikon

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Robert

Toronto. If you meet a professional photographer today, chances are he uses a Nikon. This Japanese manufacturer was formed in 1917 with the amalgamation of three other optical companies. The new company was called Nippon Kogaku K.K. Their first camera lens … Continue reading →

Posted in camera, events | Tagged , | Comments Off on Happy Birthday Little Nikon

WCPHA Newsletter March 2016

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Robert

Toronto. Click here or on the icon at left to see and print the March Newsletter of our associated organization, Western Canada Photographic Historical Association (WCPHA). This issue discusses Minolta’s bridge cameras in some depth. The author reviews how alternatives … Continue reading →

Posted in activities-other, WCPHA | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on WCPHA Newsletter March 2016