Tag Archives: studio

before auto-focus – I

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Before auto focus came along, photographers needed to both frame and focus the subject as well as decide on the best exposure (shutter speed/lens aperture/lighting). With the digital technology of today, many folks don’t even think about focussing. For … Continue reading →

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open wide, wider

Posted on March 22, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. As a camera collector, old lenses have always been an interest – especially wide angle lenses such as the Protar at left or the Pantoscop by Emil Busch. The traditional ‘portrait’ lens is a medium Telephoto. The focal length … Continue reading →

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not so far, far, away

Posted on March 21, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. I took this shot a couple of decades ago at our Fair in 2006. Along with cameras, I collected lenses, books, brochures, etc, that offered information on the history of photography. I imagine other camera collectors collect lenses too, … Continue reading →

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a different Montreal studio

Posted on March 16, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. We have all heard about the famous Notman studio on Bleury in Montreal. Here is another studio on the corner of Bleury and Craig. This is the Summerhayes & Walford studio on second and third floors of the building. Editor … Continue reading →

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old (and large) studio cameras and supports

Posted on January 4, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. In an earlier post I mentioned Neil Fox and his interest in old wooden cameras. An example of his work is shown in the December 31, 2025 post (A Colourful Lecturer). Neil (see left) attended our fall 2000 fair … Continue reading →

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a colourful lecturer …

Posted on December 31, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Bill Belier’s column “A Treasure From My Collection” in issue 26-2 addresses Neil Fox of Humber College and his hobby of restoring the massive studio cameras of the past. Also experienced in many aspects colour film photography, Neil spoke … Continue reading →

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last run …

Posted on October 17, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Old image collectors sometimes have photos that are railway related. Perhaps they are kept in a separate group, or just lumped into a transportation category. The photo at left is just slightly out of focus (perhaps due to the … Continue reading →

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postcards from home

Posted on October 16, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Old Photo Collectors often are postcard collectors too. Many postcards use photography as a tool to capture events, people, buildings, etc. in colour or in monotone to be hand coloured. At left is the RVH on Ross Street in … Continue reading →

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merry bag-o-wheels

Posted on October 15, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. The automobile has been with us for over a century and a quarter now, replacing the bicycle on the road over 100 years ago. Collectors find old auto photos of particular interest and often add a category of “automobile” … Continue reading →

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bugs galore …

Posted on October 11, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. The photo at left was taken on Toronto Island in September about 50 years ago during the annual migration of Monarch butterflies to the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. These tiny insects survive some four or more weeks. They prefer … Continue reading →

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