Newsletter for September, 2001

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

As we begin our new publication year, your editor has reviewed the topics you told us that you would like to have us cover and we shall try to meet your requests. But first:

Things to Do ...

[] Send in your $20 Dues to: Frank Calandra, Treasurer
350 Witting Road, Webster, N.Y., 14580-9009

[] Get Ready For An Annual Dinner - Date not yet set
[] Attend the next meeting at Brighton Town Hall
2300 Elmwood Avenue 7:30 PM Guests always welcome

Suddenly. It's 1990...A Brief Look The Photographic Market Not Long Ago...

Leica introduced the AF-C1 "state of the art " dual lens camera with fully automatic flash, brilliantly clear viewfinder. and "what's more it is a Leica", the ad states, modestly. And at $379.95 it should be. In addition, the new Leica "...enables you to become acquainted with a legendary name in the photographic world. Built-in super sharp 35/80 dual lens w/macro 3 beam auto-focus lock. Auto exposure control and LCD display monitors all camera functions including quick flash rechargeable with fill flash and off switch. Large bright viewfinder. LCD display monitors all camera functions. Includes 6v lithium battery.


Polaroid, riding a wave of popularity, has the new Impulse in either autofocus at S69.95 or fixed focus at $49.95. Step-up to the Spectra System for $84.95 and you get "quality pictures more consistently", which should tell you something about Polaroid pictures. For the more advanced Polaroid fan there was the 600 SE, which looked something like a press camera, including interchangeable lenses and electronic flash. Body only was $279.95 with other lenses ranging from $269 for 127/4.7 to $429 for a 75mm/5.6 WA lens. One particularly unusual Polaroid was the Miniportrait Camera with Sonar Ranging and built-in Electronic Flash. Extremely weird looking, even for Polaroid, it almost has to be a highly desirable Polaroid item for collectors.

Big names in film cameras were introducing 8mm Camcorders. Canon, Nikon, Panasonic and JVC, all had new deluxe models with price changes so frequently that catalogs stated "Call for latest prices." Camcorders using standard VHS tapes were still available for the advanced amateur but their size was beginning to become a liability for the manufactures who now pushed them for the "advanced amateur movie maker" who would buy "pro" editing system equipment. Within two years the VHS equipment would occupy only minor catalog space.


Mystery guestion # 1

The RCA trademark has recently appeared on a new photographic product. What is it and where is it available - at least according to a flyer that arrived a few days ago. Hint: It sells for S379.99 and looks like a dozen others. The store is part of a chain that occasionally sells inexpensive conventional cameras. Answer at end of newsletter.

Mystery Camera...the Chinon Belami AF ...It's Different...

One would think, what with McKeown and others, that every camera ever made would be given at least some small recognition. Perhaps not. One that seems to have escaped most, if not all, of the usual resources, is a 35mm camera made by Chinon. The Belami is rather ordinary in size, shape and color (black). It's standard, plus some, rather unique features: (1) Made by Chinon in Japan. (2) Viewed from the front, on the right side is the Chinon name and the list of the camera's features: Auto Sensor Flash. Auto Program-DX, Auto loading, Auto focus f3.9, 35mm lens. Rather than a sliding front cover, it has a door which swings open to reveal the lens, viewfinder, and flash. The camera is powered from a 3 volt battery. On the left front end is a pin over which you attach the supplied carrying strap. On the bottom is a recessed switch with a small illustration of a roll of film with its leader. Press the switch and the film rewinds. Anyone know more about this little jewel?

Whoever Fir Tree Partners May Be, They Like Today's Bell & Howell...

In earlier issues we reviewed a few facts about Bell & Howell, once considered by many as the premier American manufacturer of amateur movie cameras, projectors, etc. and to a lesser extent, professional movie equipment. But with the advent of videotape, film based home movies met their electronic demise. B&H dropped out of the motion picture equipment and still camera business and eventually went totally into record storage and other archival activities, much of which involved microfilm.

A year or so ago, Fir Tree Partners took a 5.9% (1.9 million shares) stake in B&H. Fir Tree Partners stated that the shares were purchased for portfolio-investment and that it would result in no change in B&H's "business, policies, management, structure or capitalization." However, "Fir Tree may contact B&H shareholders regarding potential strategies to increase shareholder value." So far as we know, there were no further comments from B&H.


Meanwhile. Back In The Blister Pack. Lurks B&H Cameras

If you have been to a TARGET store you may have noticed tat they stock Bell& Howell 35mm cameras. Sorry, they aren't Fotons. And whether or not these cameras signal the reentry of B&H into the still camera business we can assure you they are not. The new generation Bell & Howell cameras are inexpensive 35mm still film cameras and other low grade digital cameras. As to quality, its reported that they take pictures. We asked four customers at a Target store if they had ever heard of B&H cameras. None had. Then we asked the photo department manager if B&H models sold. Answer: "About the same as other "packaged 35's"
(meaning a blister packed 35mm camera, short roll of Kodak film, and strap) . We asked, "Do many come back?" "A few, not too many." "How do you handle a return?" "We just give them another in exchange and throw in an extra roll of film for their trouble." The manager went on to say that camera names in the price range-$10-20, don't really mean anything. "Kids like the bright colors of the cameras, and that's what the parents buy. The name really doesn't matter." "On the other hand, when the pictures are lousy, boy do they complain - about what they spent on processing!"

Mystery guestion #3

FPF Acquisition Corporation recently bought, for cash, all outstanding shares of common stock of PrimeSource Corporation at $10 Net Per Share. What photographic company wholly owns FPF Acquisition Corporation? Answer at end of newsletter



What were Mr. Eastman's Favorite Cameras? Visit The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. MI. and See Them All...


If you are planning a fall or next summer vacation, consider a visit to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. Recently remodeled and expanded with more room and greater space for the collection, significantly better than in the past in the past.

Among thousands of items, from automobiles, to steam driven locomotives to kitchen stoves and early computers, the collection is designed to reflect the American Way of life through a hundred years or so. This includes photography which is represented by a collection of Kodak cameras, said to have been personally selected by Mr. Eastman as representative of photographic equipment from it's first practical use by the public to about the time of Eastman's death.

Mystery question # 4:

What was the name of the actress who was the female lead in the movie King Kong? You remember her, as the one that Kong holds lovingly in his hand. Is she still alive? If so or if not, what age is/or would she be today?
Answer at end of newsletter

Just Dial An 800 Number and Order Your Pentax IQ Zoom EZYR. 35mm for ($69 (Plus another $6.95 to ship). It's A Bell Ringer worth $99. Plus. the 800 number is free...

It's not too unusual to get an offer in the mail for a junk camera, either free or fairly inexpensive, providing you also order some other overpriced item. This new offer seems to be an exception. The price of the Pentax isn't unreasonable for a camera with "38-70 zoom, auto focus, auto exposure, auto flash with red-eye reduction, fail-safe film handling with
auto (DX) film speed setting, auto load, advance and rewind, backlight compensation, slow shutter speed and slow speed sync modes, and self-timer. The fact that it comes from AT&T adds either a bit of class or turns you off depending on who you prefer as your long distance t; carrier. If interested call 1-800-459-5760. You must use a credit card to order.

World Trade Center Tragedy Had At Least One Kodak Connection...

While we have heard only one mention of the fact that there was a Colortek Kodak Imaging Service on the first floor of one of the World Trade Center buildings, we have been unable to obtain much additional information. The Kodak Information Center was unable to provide any details other than the fact that the center was there and at the time we talked to KIC all the employees were safe.

Nikon School No Longer At Disney But Alive and Well. Living In Melville. NY. AND coming to Rochester At The End of September

We had a hard time tracking down whether or not the NIKON photography school still exists. But when Popular Photography arrived there was an ad for it. For a time, the Nikon School, had been one of the featured offerings at the Disney Institute at Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL. Then two years ago, it disappeared. The official Disney reason for its demise-- lack of interest. This may cause you to ask, "Why was it there anyway?" Here's the answer.

The Disney Institute was established a number of years ago in answer to repeated requests from large and small companies for the "secrets" of Disney parks' success. Disney being a company that seldom misses a chance to make a buck, began offering programs aimed at corporate trainers. A limited number of these outsiders were allowed to attend training programs originally designed to teach Disney managers, and other employees who needed to learn training techniques. The programs had immediate appeal, especially to corporate trainers and Disney competitors, the latter, often owners of small amusement parks.

The courses grew, as Disney had hoped, both in attendance and in price people were willing to pay for them.. The offerings also increased in their variety. This followed another Disney philosophy - try it and see if it works. If the answer is positive, promote it. If not, kill it.

While the original management programs were popular, they were designed for a limited audience. So someone suggested a new philosophy-short courses for the general public that meet their "I always wanted to do that," yearnings. One of these program was a series of short photography courses, starting with a three-hour program on Outdoor Photography. Cameras were provided for the hands-on instruction which, according to the catalog included: "(1) Developing an eye for good photography and the ability to tell a story in a single shot using basic photography techniques. (2) How to improve composition. (3) How to work with existing light, use different frames of reference, capture action and more." The sessions concluded with "an expert commentary during a photo review session of the photographs you take in the program." There were also a three hour sessions on: "Candid, Portrait", "Advanced Photo Techniques" and others . Students were provided with 35mm cameras or they could use their own 35mm ("with manuals, if possible").


If photography became dull, you could take other Disney Institute programs in Improvisation, Special Effects Make-up, and, of course animation techniques. Should you find these somewhat dull, you could try culinary arts, various athletic programs including golf, tennis, rock climbing, self-defense, and others. The culinary program being especially interesting and potentially fattening.

So where did Nikon come in? Partly because of requests for longer sessions and partly because, a Disney manager told us, "...we got tired of losing cameras." "Nikon was interested so we made a deal." Just why Nikon left is not clear, perhaps Disney Institute guests found other learning activities more inviting. There are so many ways to spend your time-and your money at Disney, taking a training course may have less appeal than Mickey and the gang's other offerings.


Need A New Carousel Slide Projector? Buy Now. Or Maybe Just Wait Until You Really Need It

Kodak has announced that it has ceased production of Carousel projectors but not before producing a substantial inventory of present models. Service on projectors will continue indefinitely. Accessories will also continue to be stocked.

And Speaking of Kodak Slide Projectors, Ever hear of these: Ektapro, Ektagraphic III E-Plus, Ektagraphic III A, Ektagraphic III, Ektagraphic III AMT, Ektagraphic III, Ektagraphic III Multi-Voltage, Ektagraphic III ABR Multi-Voltage, III ATS?

These and dozens of accessories that you probably never knew existed, such as multi-color, transparent, plastic slide trays, and Ektagraphic Audio Viewer/Projectors (once known as Singer).

All of these items and hundreds of other audio-visual supplies are available from National Audio-Visual Supply, 800-222-0109, Fax 800-628, 1329 or WWW.nationalavsupply.com Ask for a catalog. It's a winner.


If George Eastman Could Do It Why Not You? Well, Maybe Not Quite Alike...

It may not be historical now- but depending on your drive for adventure, and whether you have a quite a few extra bucks, you could get some of the feel of Mr. Eastman's African Safaris for not much more than a vacation to the Disney Institute. This is the real thing, except for one minor point. The Safaris take place in Montana. They include Glacier National Park, the National Bison Range, and the Giant Ceaders-Ross Creek Scenic Area. Horse Plains Photo Adventures offer guided Safari Tours for Wildlife and Landscape Photography, Birding and Hiking. The trips include lakes, streams and waterfalls "too numerous to mention". You will visit working ranches, rodeos, logging operations, Native American Pow Wows, home cooked meals, picnics, and BBQ. Too much roughing it? Don't worry each guest has a private bath! A three day tour is S675.00 per person. Children under 12 are free. A brochure is available from Horse Plains Photo Adventures, 837 Swamp Creek Road, Plains, MT 59859

Nick Graver's Favorite Toy Store Is Back In Production and Factory Tours...

The East Rochester Winross Co. is alive and getting well, Winross is not exactly a household name but for collectors of model trucks decorated to resemble those of various industries and companies it is a wo£1d leader, according to David and Patty Lowe who purchased the 40 year old company last January. The new owners, intend to keep the 40 year old company located at 60 N. Lincoln Road in operation. The new location also houses the corporate offices. The company was founded by Roger and Phyllis Austin who retired and put it up for sale more than a year ago. For photographic collectors the main attraction is vans with the Kodak logo. These have been produced in several variations almost from the beginning of the company. Kodak offered them in the Consumer Markets dealer incentive catalogs at various times through the years. While we have not seen a reliable current price for older Kodak models, collectors of rare Winross trucks have seen prices go as high as $2000. New trucks sell for $20 to $40. Winross told us that a catalog is being prepared but when it will be available is not yet known. If you can't wait they do have several different Kodak trucks, there are no minimum numbers for factory prices and they are available by mail or walk-in. The address is 60 North Lincoln Road, East Rochester. (716)-381-5638


The 150th Anniversary of the Announcement of the Wet-Plate Collodion Process -

Thanks to our friends in the Michigan Photographic Society, we are reminded that this is the 150th anniversary of a significant development in the history of photography, the Wet-Plate Collodion Process. Cindy Motzenbecker, President of MIPHS, has written a highly informative review of the process and it's problems, especially with the eggs required. She also notes that two of their members, Jan Schimmelman and James Jenson will be giving papers at George Eastman House, September 14-16 . There is also a web site www.collodion.org/conference/html Or you can call Jan at (248) 549-6026

Michigan PHS Trade Show is Sunday. November 4. 2001, at the Novi Community Center, 45175 W. Ten Mile Road, Novi Michigan. 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., Admission $3

As an aside, the MIPHS newsletter prints the worst jokes of any photo historical newsletter and we like them

Examples: "Should a burlesque queen be loyal to her audience or should she let her fans down?

If the # 2 pencil is so popular, why is it still #2

Answer to Mystery Question # 1:

Radio Shack

Answer to Mystery Question # 2:

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., And no, we don't know exactly what FPF Acquisition Corp. does.

Answers to Mystery Question # 3

7. 800 million rolls of film are expected to have been sold in the USA by the end of 2001.

8. Walgreen Drug Stores are believed to sell the most roll film of any retailer.
9. It is estimated that Walgreen sales average 50 million rolls of film a year.
10. The 3M company is said to supply their Walgreen brand film. If so, it is made by the 3M owned Ferrania in Italy.

Answer to Mystery Question # 4:

Actress Fry Wry who is a spry 94 years old as of September 10, 2001

The Photographic Historical Society Newsletter
Published by America’s oldest photographic historical group
dedicated to the preservation of photographic history and equipment
in January, March, May, September and November

Materials in this publication are copyrighted
Permission to reprint is granted to other historical groups if credited to TPHS
Some authors may retain copyright. If so noted, permission to reprint must be obtained.

Editor: Joe A. Bailey
Newsletter address: 191 Weymouth Drive, Rochester, N.Y. 14625 (716) 381-5507

Membership Dues are $20 per year. Send Membership requests and check to:
Frank Calandra, Treasurer
The Photographic Historical Society 350 Witting Road, Webster, N.Y. 14580-9009

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