Tag Archives: WW2

Leo does Leica

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. After WW2, the Japanese optical industry tried to get in to the mighty American retail market. One option was to copy German cameras at much lower prices. This was the choice that Showa Kogaku made (later this maker became Leotax … Continue reading →

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accessorize your Ektra

Posted on March 9, 2022 by Robert

Toronto.  When the USA joined the WW2 fight, it lost all the Germany minicams. In the mid 1920s, the tiny Leica set the close-focus standard for the normal (50mm) lens at 1 metre (or 39 inches). Closer shots meant using extension … Continue reading →

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first brick in the wall

Posted on March 8, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Talk about great timing! On the eve of WW2 Argus announced their new C3 camera. This ad from the March 1938 issue of International Photographer aims at the average America with these key points:  This miniature camera has features … Continue reading →

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eenie, meenie, minie, eyemo

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Robert

Toronto.  Bell & Howell had many famous trade marks. One was the Eyemo movie camera for professionals.   This rugged camera was the darling of the movie newsmen of the day. Many of us saw their results in the movie … Continue reading →

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about that land in Florida

Posted on February 15, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. An article in the May 1940 issue of Popular Mechanics suggests a coating can double the lens speed (if only this were so …). We used to suggest to gullible people that if they believed something improbable, we have … Continue reading →

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February 16, 2022 Presentation via ZOOM

Posted on February 10, 2022 by Robert

Join us at 8pm on the 16th of February via ZOOM to see and hear Dr Slobogin on “Percy Hennell’s Surgical and Nationalist Colour Photography, 1940-1948”. The poster below was designed for our February PHSC News. It states, “Dr Slobogin … Continue reading →

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light up the night

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Photography played a key roll in WW2. High flying aircraft with aerial cameras mapped the ground searching for enemy troops and armaments. A bright idea, tested over upper NY State, was the ‘light bomb’ described in this January 1941 … Continue reading →

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to catch a spy

Posted on January 29, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. During WW2, photography found many ways to be of service. This article in the January 1941 issue of Popular Mechanics shows photography making photo I.D. passes that helped separate the workers from the ‘spies’ in America during the war … Continue reading →

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jumping in with both feet

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. America was a bit late to the WW2, but made up for it in spades after Pearl Harbor was attacked by an ally of Germany. All industries quickly turned to the war effort. Hollywood cranked out propaganda movies galore … Continue reading →

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De Cry of a desert victory

Posted on December 30, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. When America joined in against the Axis in WW2, the Hollywood studios and British studios made movies to support government involvement (and keep some actors at home).  The scene at left is a still promoting the movie “Desert Victory” … Continue reading →

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