The first society devoted to the history of photography and the preservation of photo antiques 

---

Newsletter February 2004
Back to the TPHS main page

AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR MEMBERS FROM YOUR EDITOR ...

It has been over a year since I have edited the TPHS newsletter a job that I have always enjoyed and appreciated being asked to do. I anticipate that, with our members assistance we can publish six issues per year, which is the schedule of most organizations. While the various photographic historical groups do not purposely openly compete with one another, none of the editors can help but wonder how each other's product compares. To do that we all have our guidelines. As I begin this issue, I'm reminded of a class I took while working on my Ph.D. at the University of Texas. The class was in psychology and was taught by an exceptionally interesting and very practical instructor. He explained to us that the best way to understand a project in which you are involved, you need to know the economic, social, religious, business and educational aspects. He emphasized that any or all of these items could have an impact on it's solution. Obviously, some of these, religion, for example, probably have little to do with a newsletter on our photographic interests, however the rest probably do. I believe the theory explains why it takes so much time and energy to research and write material that appears in newsletters such as this one, if they are to be useful to our readers. 

One of our major problems is that unless you tell us, we don't know what specific topics you would like us to include. The only given is that it have something to do with photographic history, products, or processes. We always appreciate a note from readers. In our case, one sent to the address at the end of the newsletter. Even better might call your editor at the phone number at the end of the newsletter. And I especially hope that you will complete and mail us the the annual reader survey which is attached at the end of this issue 

But First, Here Is The Answer To The Most Frequent Question Your Editor Gets...

When did you get interested in photography? My answer: As a small child, obviously, years and years ago, my mother worked for a doctor. The doctor liked to take pictures and he had a Kodak 127 Baby Brownie sitting on his desk. Every time I was in his office I had to pick it up and examine every inch of it. On my eighth birthday, the good doctor ask me to come in to his office where he presented me with a box. In it was a Kodak Baby Brownie Special and a roll of 127 film. I loved it and took pictures of everything until my mother began rationing the quarters we were spending on film. I still have that camera. and it occupies a special place among the many other cameras I have collected since then. Of course, I'm not sure exactly where it is. 

Now About The Newsletter You Are Reading ...

We hope you will like the newsletter format as it is being produced on our new eMac computer. It's not set in concrete and subject to change, especially as we learn to use the new eMAC. Incidentally, after all three of our older computers decided they would die about the same time, it seemed appropriate to enter the world of modem Apples which may or may not have been a good idea. The eMac requires learning to use a number of new approaches. For example, finding the answer to a problem, like how to get bold type, This was easy on the old computers, and it is easy on this one-if you know which "text edit" item to look under. Eventually we hope to have LEARNED everything, or at least have a substantial part of it, under control. 

Time For A Short Quiz ...

1. Assuming there is a downturn in the economy, what, if any, photographic item or items would be a good investments that could possibly help tide you over the recession? 

(A) Leica cameras? (B) Digital cameras? (C) Stock in a photographic product company? 

(2.) By the end of 2003 do you feel Digital cameras will outsell film cameras by (A) 3-1, (B) 5-1), (C) will not outsell film cameras. 

(3.) For what product do collectors of a certain type of photographic equipment owe Gareth Aeron Lloyd their thanks? 

(4.) What was the first digital impression? 

If you don't know the answer to the above three questions you are probably not alone, however in our pre- publication survey we asked of a few "experts" in the photographic products business who knows said the answers would be: 1 .-(B) 2-(C), (3)-No one had the slightest idea, (4). See the end of the newsletter

While no one can answer questions one and two we'll give you the answer to question 3: Gareth Aeron Lloyd was the co-inventor of the first digital camera. 

Mr. Loyd, who passed away at age 60 in 2001, was an engineer in image research with Eastman Kodak. He took early retirement in 1991 stating that he wanted to "reinvent himself'" and pursue long unfulfilled passions, one of which was to enroll at Syracuse University where he earned a master's degree in social work. While he had little public notoriety, Mr. Loyd was co-inventor of the worlds first digital camera, which at the time was described as a "clunky box of a device that recorded images on a casette tape". He also designed the motor drive and electronics for exposure control in the Lunar Orbiter camera which took the first close-up pictures of the moon. A rather shy man, in his spare time he composed poetry. 

Moving right along,, how is Kodak doing with Digital Cameras? Apparently quite well, Consumer Reports which is best known for it's unbiased testing of products, rated Kodak digital cameras as a best buy. And the company continues to offer new models at an increasing frequency.
 

This Issue's Mystery Camera: The Canon A35F

No one seems to have ever heard of this little beauty, including McKeown. The one we have has features that gives some insight as to it's age. However, it would probably sell if it was in Canon's line-up today. The film advances is by a right hand lever. It's built-in flash is turned on by means of a sliding switch on the back. A battery check appears in the viewfinder along with a needle indicating the aperture. All other operations, including film advance, are manual. A woven strap is attached to each end of the camera and it's length would be fitting for a person of any height. Made in Taiwan, the pictures we made with it were excellent and would be hard to beat by any camera five inch long by three inches high by one inch thick, not including the lens which protrudes another three-quarter inch. Has anyone else ever seen one? 

And Then We Wrote Glass Brass and Chrome, A Return Of A Bestseller ...

This is not a commercial, rather about a recent surprise to your editor. In 1972 I and my friend Kal Lahue, who lived in California, wrote a book we titled Glass Brass & Chrome, the American 35mm Camera. The title was the results of a discussion on what to name the book. We finally said, "well, what are cameras made of?" Our publisher, the University of Oklahoma press liked the title as have many others. Since 1972 I have had frequent questions about how we gathered the material for the book and also is it still available. In answer to the last question I am pleased to say the University of Oklahoma Press has recently announced that they are reprinting the book on a "print on demand" basis. This means when you place an order for the book it is printed. This enables a publisher to reduce costly inventory and still meet demands as they come in. 

1972 was a time when 35mm cameras made by American camera companies were beginning to successfully compete with foreign manufacturers. I subscribed to all the popular photographic magazines and read the ads from front to back. In April, I read a small ad that said an author was writing a book on American 35mm cameras and was looking for a co-author to help in research. It had a phone number to call If interested. I called it that night and the phone was answered by Kal Lahue. I told him I had just started work at Kodak's new Marketing Education Center and had access to the vast resources of the Kodak museum which has virtually every camera of every make and model from the earliest to the latest model. I also felt that I could contribute in research using the Kodak archives and product library. In the research process, I become friends with the very knowledgeable curator of the museum, David Gibson. From that time on for several months Kal and I talked once or twice a week as we gathered information and both of us begun writing what we each thought would be important to our readers. Kal had far more experience in writing books than I had. Aside from writing newsletters for the photographic club in Austin Texas, and my Ph.D dissertation, I was a novice. 

For the next six months we talked every weekend, discussing manuscripts we had sent each other, offering suggestions where we had a section that wasn't quit clear enough or, where additional information was needed and often, what might be said in a better way or even be cut. We finally felt it was it time to send the manuscript to the publisher for review. To our relief virtually nothing was changed. And then that great day came when the publisher agreed that their editors and told us that they were ready to go to press and send out publicity. It didn't really surprise us that the book was a success because there was nothing else quite like it on the market. 

Kal and I wrote four other books together, while none were as popular as GB&C they were still well received. I wish I could say we have more under consideration but unfortunately, Kal passed away last year.

Because I am frequently asked where to buy a copy, I am pleased to say that I was recently informed by the University of Oklahoma press that they will reissue GB&C. However they had not set a price. I have to guess it will probably be more than the original $7.95, but then, $7.95 was probably fairly high price for a book on cameras in 1972. When I learn the price it will be reported here. Should you be interested in the book before then, the address of the University of Oklahoma Press is Norman, Oklahoma, 73069.

Information You May Find Useful And Some We Would Like To Know ...

Have you ever found a camera or other item that you really liked but had an offensive odor? Try this. If it is a paper item such as an instruction book, or even a small camera, buy a box of BOUNCE Sheet Fabric Softener and an appropriate size Zip-Lock storage bag. If it is a paper item such as a book, fold the sheet between the first third and the last third of the pages. Put it in the Zip-lock bag and seal it up. Place the bag in a warm place. How long it should be left alone depends on the item, especially the thickness of printed material, and the temperature. Usually a week or so will be enough for smaller items. In rare cases it may take a month or more. If it a camera, especially one that is plastic, avoid placing the sheets directly on it. Or if you do, check it every few days to make sure there is no reaction. It is a good idea to occasionally check on the process, however, over the four or five years we have used this technique, we have never had a problem. 

Can't find a battery for old faithful?

As cameras that require batteries get older, you may discover that the battery it takes is no longer readily available. The simple solution is your nearest Radio Shack store. The company has long been known as the place to go to get unusual electronic items. Your editor recently needed a 9 volt Lithium battery pack for my old fateful favorite K-14 Kodak. While the local store did not stock them, the clerk telephoned Dallas, Texas, Radio Shack's headquarters, which replied that the battery would be shipped directly to me within five days. 

Do you know more about Detrola cameras? A reader wants to know. In Glass Brass & Chrome we wrote as much about the company as we could find in 1972. Since that time all traces of the company seem to have disappeared. Even the local library has no information that it ever existed. However, we have recently received information from a young man who has taken on the task of solving the mystery we will be pleased to print his research in the next issue. 

Can't find a bulb for that aging projector? Try Bulbs Direct at 1 Fishers Road, Pittsford, N.Y .14534-9511 WEB: http://www.bulbdirect.com or call 585-3540 or 1-800 7725367 

Want a Camera Binocular or dozens of other optical items from geiger counters to spy cameras?  Send for the catalog of American Science & Surplus-P.O. Box 1030 Skokie, 111. 600761 

Then there are cameras from the Far East at bargain prices. At least they used to be bargain prices. It's worth the postage to write for a catalog to AW White Photo Supplies. Box 6018 TST P0 Hong Kong. We are not sure if this is a current address. We recently found their old catalog in our files along with the sales slip for our first Leica which at that time was a bargain price. If you write them let us know your results. 

QUIZ... 1. In what month, date and year was Kodacolor film introduced? 2. What was the first digital impression?

In our Next Issue we look at digital photography from its beginning to today. If you have information you would like to contribute send it to the newsletter address below...

The following ideas for topics or regular features in the newsletter have been selected from interviews with a randoam sampling of our members Please check your opinions.

Indicate with a nhumber if you'd like an item 1) Very Much   2) Somewhat   3) Not At All

1. An emphasis on equipment 
2. Cameras/photography before 1900 
3. Cameras/photography 1900-1920 
4. Cameras/photography 1920-1940 
5. Cameras/photography 1940-1960 
6. Cameras/photography 1960-present
7. Collecting Images 
8. Emphasis on accessories
9. Schedule of group activities over a year
10 Members profile & their collections 
11. Repair Tips 
12. Review of last meeting 
13. Story behind a new product
14. Member’s favorite item and why
15. What’s New That Will Be Collectable
16. How To Put A Price On Something You Sell 
17. How To Do Some Process 

Name, Address and Phone Number: ________________________________________________________

Other Comments:
 
 

Mail your survey to Joe Bailey at his address given below.

QUIZ ANSWERS.......

1. Kodacolor was Introduced July 31, 1928
2. Inventor of the Polaroid instant camera
3. Did you guess fingerprints?