Newsletter for Spring 2001

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

Time For The Birds & Bees, Dandelions, Grass Cutting and FIea Markets!

And a much later Newsletter than we intended. As a result, our desk is piled high (actually, it's always pfled high) with items for thls and forthcoming issues. One thing has saved us.

That one was a very informative random survey of our members and editors of other
club newsletters. From these we hope to have an improved newsletter that meets your expectations and, of course, published on time.

Here Are Some Subjects Members Said They Like ... And A Request

The #1 most liked subject was the Mystery Questions. The second favorite was ìWhatever Happened to...?" We're researching material for more of both.

Other subjects you said you would Ilke if they came from members:
                How they got started collectlng, trading, etc.
                What they collect and why.
                Favorite ltem and why
                Best and or worst deal they ever made
                Most unexpected thing that happened while collecting
                Why did I buy this?
                What I want to happen to my collection when I'm gone
                How to fix (almost anything related to photographica)
                Successes or failures with EBay
                History of some special item(s) in a collection
                What other Societies and their members are doing

And the Request:

I hope you send your contributions, opinions, ideas and requests. You do not have to be a writer, just provide the facts and I'Il see that it's put down on paper and send you a copy to revlew and correct, if necessary, before publication. Short items are just as good as long ones. Mail to: Joe Bailey, 191 Weymouth Dr. Rochester NY 14625, phone/fax 716-381-5507 Sorry no e-mail.

                [ ] Have you have sent in your Dues? If not send in your $20 to :
                Frank Calandra, Treasurer 350 Witting Rd, Webster, N.Y.,14580-9009

                [ ] Bring a guest to our next meeting:
                Thursday, 7:30 PM Brighton Town Hall
                2300 Elmwood Avenue

This Issue's First Mistery Questions:

1. What company in Texas made the electronic chips for the Canon AE-1?
2. In what year was the AE-1 introduced?
3, What was Canon's biggest problem with the camera?

Answers at the End of The Newsletter...
 

Return of the Photographic Historical Collector's Notebook

A few years ago we published a series of Photographic Historical Coltector's Notebook pages. They contained useful historical reference material. In this issue. Rolf Fricke begins a new series of Collector'o Notebook pages that we believe you'll find especially interesting. The material is quite long and will be publlshed in two parts. Tell us if you find this topic worthwhile. If so maybe we can persuade Rolf for more.

We also welcome your submissions of material for the Collector's Notebook.

How (Not) To Make Your Camera Club, Society, Etc. Successful As Suggested In 1940 Bv Kenneth Kraf In Popular Photography.

While we haven't the slightest idea who Ken Kraft was, or still is, in 1940 he produced this list of ideas (tongue firmly in cheek) that we believe too many clubs are following today. See if you agree:

1. Meetings: Hold them when the mood strikes you. It's more exciting. Don't send out notices even if you meet regularly. If members can't remember to come, it's not your fault. Don't uge them to bring guests-keep the club exclusive.

2. Programs: Don't go out of your way to get an unusual speaker. Half the members would disagree with what he said, and it would just cause arguments. Don't encourage the program committee to plan meetings in advance. It spoils the surprise. Don't encourage discussions at meetings. It makes them noisy.

3. Exhibits: Why bother with them? If they are photographers they probably carry a pocket full of prints. Displaying your prize enlargement would probably get all thumb-marked. If they bring cameras or other unique items, have a time when everyone can grab one and play with it. If it's damaged, it shouldn't have been brought. Besides, exhibits encourage criticism. If members can't do what they want with your cameras, it might hurt someone's feelings.

4. Photo Contests: Another nuisance. In trying for original effects, members may mess up their homes and damage their equipment. Their families won't thank you for it. Also it milks the club treasury for prize money. Forget it.

5. Reading: A Circulating Club Library is a headache. Discourage it. A book might get lost.

6. Lessons: Are you asking an expert to give a talk? Well, don't. Who ever heard of camera club members not knowing all the answers3 Besides, lessons in photography may mean homework in a darkroom. And its much easier to talk a swell enlargement than make one.

7. Membership List: Don't keep any record of members. Files get dusty, out of date and take up space. Anyway, everyone knows they are a member.

8. Dues: Don't try to collect the dues. People don't like to be bothered and it gives the officers a feeling of responsibility to make up deflciencies out of their own pockets.

9. Officers: Never be one if you can get out of it. It takes up your time and nobody will thank you for it. But don't forget to tell the president how you would run the club.

10. DEALERS: Stand up for your rights as a camera club member and demand a discount on all photo equipment supplies. If your dealer says he can't make much money that way, tell him you'll pull the club business out of his place. That will show him you know your way around. When a dealer recommends a new gadget. tell him:îOh, yeah? You fellows are always trying to unload junk. I'm too smart. I'd rather do it the hard way, see.î

Note: If you reaily want to build up your club do just the reverse of these suggestions.

Book Review: Portraits In Sepia

This new book, subtitled, A Comprehensive Survey of 11th Century Japanese Photography, is the work of two devoted collectors. Torin Boyd & Naomi Izakura. Into this 328 page, 9"x12" volume, published by Japan's JCII Camera Museum the authors have compiled a unique history of early Japanese photography. Many of us tend to think it was after WWII that the Japanese were greatly interested in photography - and even then we think more of equipment than images. Here is pictorial evidence that Japan was very much like the rest of the world in the variety of subject matter, and even style, of their early photographs.

The book's illustrations, are from the carte de visite collection of the authors. If for no other reasons than the age and the quality of the images, the collection must be one of the most unique in Japan and possibly the world. Overall, it offers additional proof that from its early roots, photography has been the universal language. People who take pictures-or have them taken- are very interested in much the same things, most of all, memories. The book's text is in both Japanese and English. When possible it also presents a brief biography of the photographers, most of whom apparently had commercial studios. The bulk of the images are not unlike carte de visites from any country in the 11th century, made in a studio, complete with appropriate props and backgrounds. A few are outdoors and all have the feel of a professional behind the camera. Still, except for clothing and the photographic process, many would look similar in subject matter and even sharpness if taken today. Some look like picture postcards, a few are stereo. The subjects include families, pets, landscapes, apparent heroes and houses. There are all sexes, ages, musicians, staged sword fights, and perhaps a bit of mild feminine nudity. One man may have been a warrior in his dress uniform and his swords. Not all are oriental. The first photo shows a gray haired English. or perhaps American, lady riding in a very large rickshaw pulled by a husky oriental man in shorts, coat and sun helmet. The background looks like a backdrop so it might well have been taken in a studio.

For the photographic image history buff, this volume will provide information that is probably not available in any other readily available volume. It is available in the US from Carl Mautz Publlshing, 228 Cormnerciat Street, 1522. Nevada City, CA 95959 Tel: 530-478-1610 / Fax 530-478-0466 ar cmautz@nccn.net, www.nccn.net/-cmautz

MYSTERY QUESTIONS # 2:

4. What major innovation was made to Kodak Films and Magazines when Kodacolor VR films were introduced in 1983?

5. What other changes wouldbe necessary for this innovation to be useful?

6. How many other manufactures received details of the innovation, worldwide?
Where was information on the innovation reported first?

Want Big (and interesting) Mail? Check 0ff The Numbers On The Popular Photography Inquiry Card.

The easiest way to keep up to date with the photo industry is simple. Just check to your heart's content, the manufacturers numbers on the large reply card in Popular Photography.

As a test of how long it takes and the quality of material you can receive, we checked almost all of them. We are glad to report that most items from large camera manufacturers came within two weeks, the quality of most was excellent and well worth keeping on file. Smaller companies took up to six weeks but all eventually arrived. Their quality was also very good.

Whatís Going On With AGFA Gevaert, Ferrania? It's An Inteteresting Story of Imaging Technologies. Who?

At various times we have have discussed the private, or at least not as well known as youknowwho's, brand of film, business. For many years it was relatively simple. There was Kodak, Ansco, Gevaert, Agfa and a few other seldom seen brands like Ferrania, Fuji, and Konica. An occasional European iron curtain brand or oriental label would appear but was seldom worth bothering with if you wanted pictures. After the demise of the Gevaert plant in Boston and ANSCO in Binghamton, only one private brand producer made even a small dent in the market. That was a subsidiary of the 3M company-the ScotchTape people. The film was made by what was generally considered a wholely owned 3M subsidiary-Ferrania in Italy. As we recall 3M had bought the company at a bargain price, when it was bankrupt. Kodak may have been interested but wasn't about to buy it because of monopoly laws.

Charting what 3M did with the business is like chasing a kite. But finally a branch settled in Oklahoma. Now, Oklahoma isn't exactly the first place you would think of as a good location for a fllm plant, what with dust storms and all. But a film conversion and packing plant that could hire hard-working, relatively low-wage, employees apparently wasn't a bad idea. Thus, 3M became a major private brand provider. The largest customer, K-Mart, a company that was at one tfme, and may still be, Kodak's largest fllm customer. K-Mart also had the bright idea of marking their private brand film at one-half the price of Kodak film. So much for history.

3-M had an off and on identiflcation with consumer film. Occasionally identifying it as a 3M product at other times using a vaguely photographic name like Imation. At one point they would put any name you wanted on the film carton. One salesman told your editor that he would sell a minimum ten rolls with my name on each one. I declined, even at the $ 5.00 price.

Today-Ferrania Imaging Technologies has its U.S. sales and marketing HQ in Maplewood, Minnesota. The company contends that it is the largest manufacturer of store-brand consumer film and other, unidentifled, imaging products. It started in 1923 but today's company is owned by Schroder Ventures, an equity company that bought Imation Corp.'s consumer fllm business from 3M. Schroder is also in negotiation to purchase similar business from Agfa-Gevaert AG in Belgium.

NICK'S CLICKS...Reports On Collectible Finds ën Stuff: From Nick Graver...

-Lock Stock and Barrel: Is a chain specializing in collectables, with stores in Eastview, Marketplace and other local malls. They carry hand painted "train layout" style miniature buildings of Kodak offlce, Eastman Theater, and George Eastman House. They are part of the "Cat's Meow" series $15-$7.85.

-DisPatch Junction: A well known model railroad store in East Rochester that's even more popular now because of the resurgence of model electric train hobbyists. Several miniatures of the trains found at Kodak Park, hand decorated with appropriate markings are: Kodak locomotive $75, Tank and box car, $16 each. Worth a look if you are a whistle blower.

-Stamp Collectors: The Marshall Islands produced a 1997, 60 cent stamp showing a father taking a picture of a mother and two chfldren. The stamp is a large (50mm x 30mm) titled: "Photography for Every Man 1900-1909 Decade of Possibilities". True micro-lettering notes: "George Eastman's simple box camera. Memories for every collector". Scot# 627 About $3.00

-The Kodak Falcons, genuine Perigrine Falcons birds, not the cameras, dwell atop the Kodak Tower in Rochester. They are watched over by video cameras which allow viewers to follow the progress of the family. A long-term conservation program that has proven great Kodak public relations.
 

Return With Us Now For Another Look At Polaroid...Their Dividends. Or Lack Thereof. While We Still Can. As Barrons Weekly Called It The"Dark Development For Polaroid" and "Not A Pretty Picture."

Last year, Polaroid warned that results would be poor ìat least through the first half of 2000". They were right, except the bad news continued into the fourth-quarter of 2000 with more red ink. Next the quarterly 15 cent common dividend was suspended. It had been paid since since 1952 on its 45.7 million common shares.

Polaroid began 2001 with the sale of the graphic-arts business. Chairman and CEO Gary T. DiCamillo, said, ìThe board supports the strategy to focus on cash flow, increase liquidity and streamline the company in the face of a weakening economyî. He also said that Polaroid would consider selling real estate, including prime offlce space in Massachusetts that could raise $90 million. While there had been no layoffs in 2000, as of early February 2001, the company began considering some offshore manufacturing and other means of reducing its $937 million debt in 2001. It has since announced layoffs. For a once high-flying company, what more could happen? Mainly, not finding soIutions to long-standing problems. A major problem is decreased demand for its profltable older "peel- apart" and other "mature" lines. Sales from new products, many selling on novelty value, are not picking up the slack. A problem not helped by low dealer inventory.

Acknowledging that the inventory problem is not helped by One-Hour conventional photo finishing and increased use of digital products the company is working to create new hightech products of their own, including low-resolution, low priced, imported, digital cameras. Nicely designed, their sales are unreported. There is also a product that allows instant transfer of photos to the Internet via phone without a PC. Other new items announced include a convertible (to what was not stated) instant pocket camera with changeable face plates and an all new Spectra folding instant camera with what Polaroid calls the highestresolution medium-format digital fllm scanner on the market. Stay tuned.
 

If You Missed This Meeting. Here's How You Can Make It Up - Or If You Are Visiting Rochester Here's An Exhibit You Shouldn't Miss.

When you think of photographic images in Rochester, you rightfully think of George Eastman House. But there is another major source of images less well known. That is the Rochester Museum Science Center located a few blocks west from the George Eastman House on East Avenue.

If you were a student in the Rochester or surrounding area public schools, you may have visited the museum to study at their exhibits and participate in learning activities. These range from learning about the Indians who lived in the area, or for excitement, you may have gone on their flight simulator to the moon.

Now, the recently completed Albert R. Stone phototgraphy exhibit, is capturing the attention of photographers , historians and people who simply find these photographs fascinating. If you are even somewhat familiar with photographic techniques in the early 1900's you'll wonder, "How did this man ever make these extraordinary pictures often using an 8"x10" (or larger) camera, glass plates and a rubber ball shutter release?"

Albert R, Stone was Rochester's first newspaper photographer. Assigned to capture pictures of news as it happened. His work ranged from dedications of city parks to mid-town parades, big and small fires, the flu epidemic of 1918, the women's suffrage movement and recording the lives of European immigrants, to name a few topics. If it was news, from 1904 to 1934, Stone was there to record it.

After a picture was published, no one other than Stone had much interest in the heavy, space-filling, glass negatives. Furthermore, following Stone's death, few could identify much
of the subject matter. At one point the plates were almost sold to a builder who wanted to clean the glass for use as windows. Fortunately, Stone's daughter saved most of them by storing them in upstairs rooms and the attic of her home. She apparently moved most of the plates into the house by herself, a monumental task considering their weight and the fact that they had to be hoisted to the upper floors and through a window. The task was not always a success and several accidents resulted in broken plates.

Stone's daughter approached several museums about takfng the collection but it was not. until she was able to convince the Rochester Museum and Science Center of their historic value did the collection find a home. The plates were moved to more appropriate storage and printed over a period of several years. Only then did the real historical importance of the collection become realized. For two more years, three hard-working volunteers worked to identify the people, places and events captured by Stone's camera.

Fortunately, for today's viewers, the RMSC not only has prints from the glass negatives but has scanned them to ìat least 3000 pixels on the longest dimension. Medium-resolution screen images are 640 pixels on the longest dimension, and thumbnail images are 128 pixels in their maxiraum dimension." Some screen images are enhanced for better viewing. For additional information on the Alfred R. Stone collection, contact Jannette Z. Peer, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, 115 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604-1896. Phone (716) 428-8398 FAX: (716) 428-8355 E-Mall: jpeer@mcls. rochester.lib.ny.us
 

Answers to This Month's Mystery Questions..,

1. Electronics for the AE-1 were made by Texas Instruments in Dallas, TX
2. The AE-1 was introduced in 1976 and was a sold-out hit.
3. The biggest probiem was that the factory could not make enough of them.
4.The major innovation made to Kodak Films and Magazines when Kodacolor VR films were introduced in 1983 was the Camera Autosensing Code, today, usually called a bar code.
5. For the code to be useful, photo finishing equipment had to have bar code readers. Soon most cameras would be designed to automaticallv set film speeds via code readers built into the camera film chamber.
6. The innovation was reported first at the Society of Photographic Scientists and Engineers in Los Vegas at the 1983 Photo Marketing Association. 200 other manufactures received details of the innovation which was well received by all.