1 of 5 PAGESThe PHSC E-MAIL

Vo l u m e 4 - 2 , S u p p l e m e n t t o P h o t o g r a p h i c C a n a d i a n a , M a y + 2 0 0 4

The Photographic Historical Society of Canada

THIS SUNDAY, MAY 30th✁✁

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VOL 4-2 MAY 2004

The Book Shelf

Micro Precision Products:
The MPP Story and the Products
Published by MPP Publications, 6 Aylwin Close, St Columb Minor, Newquay, Cornwall,TR7 3EF, United Kingdom
ISBN 0 9546070 1 5, May 2004,£22.50 plus postage and packing £6.00 (USA and Canada)

Basil Skinner’s bookrecords the history of thecompany from its formation and describes someof the staff who worked forthe firm and how it manufactured its products at its
Kingston-on-Thames factory
and
later
in
Wandsworth,
London.
Chapters describe in detaileach of the firms cameras
from the Micro-Technicaland Micro-Press cameras
through the Microcord andMicroflex twin lens reflexes
and their Prison, stereoscopic and monorail cameras. The company’s
enlargers, tripods andphotographic accessories
are also described andextensively illustrated.
The
bookbringstogether many years of research
including interviews with A. J. Dell,
MPP staff and users of the cameras.
It will appeal to users and collectorsof MPP cameras and equipment as agreat reference tool.

MPP was formed in 1941 but it
was under the direction of A J“Jimmy” Dell that the company produced it’s most famous products andestablished itself as one of the few
post war British camera makers until
it’s demise in 1982.
THE PHSC E-MAIL

by Hans-Jürgen Kuc
Published by Wittig Books,
Softcover, 21 x 25 cm,
ISBN 3-930359-36-7, 256 pages

by Basil Skinner

MPP cameras were known by awhole generation of professional
photographers during the 1950s and1960s. Mention the MPP Technical,
Microcord and Microflex cameras
and the chances are most professionals would have handled andused at least one of them. Today thecameras are still in demand by amateur photographers and camera collectors. In this new book Basil
Skinner traces the history of thecompany and describes it’s cameras
and accessory products.

On The Trail of the
CONTAX Volume 1

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VOL 4-2 MAY 2004

The first part of Hans-Jürgen
Kuc’s Contax History appeared in
1981, while the present book has
been available in German since1991. This, however, is the firstcomplete version in English
and is well
worth both
expenditure andthe wait.
The
book is exceptionally well illustrated with
contemporary pictures, advertisements, publicity material and patentdrawings. They are carefully chosen
to illuminate rather than merely decorate the text.
Chapters cover: The Developmentof the Contax, The Shutter, etc but
also Zeiss Ikon and the Nazi
Regime, Special Lenses and even
Unrealised Inventions. Although concentrating on one camera and its
accessories, the author sets thestory firmly in the context of contemporary technology and overall development of the Zeiss Ikon company.
The most remarkable aspect of
the book is the sheer quantity andvariety of detailed research that hasgone into its creation. The author has
something fresh to say about almost
all aspects of the subject. Even
where work has been duplicated, theresults are thought provoking.
Writing of the company’s reaction
to Nazi policies Kuc says, “Today weknow that the company directors
opposed the regime and managed toprotect many Jewish employees.”
But it would be fascinating to know
how we know.
–Reviewed by David Balfour
Photographica World

A SECOND LOOK
The report for our February 2004
meeting
showedMaureenPatzofBurlington, displaying
an unusual shaped
camera bristling withthree flash-bulb attachments. It was described
as a Simmon Omega
Super Press camera(rebadged Koni-Omega
200).

by R o b e r t C a r t e r“The difference in the lenses ismuch the same with
Koni-Omegas becoming Omegas by simply
changing the lens ring.
“All cameras andlenses were manufactured in Japan by
Konishiroku
Photo
Industry Co., Ltd. Someminor assembly (justenough needed to meetthe demand of the law)of the Omega 100 and
200 was completed in
the States. The same istrue for the lens.

Moreinformation
has surfaced from ourfiles with James W.
(Jim) Simmons quoting
MAUREEN PATZ
the following excerpts
from the original manual of the“There is really but one camera –KONI-OMEGA "RAPID."
the Koni-Omega made and sold“This camera was conceived and throughout the world but known as
designed by the engineering depart- the Omega in the USA.”ment of Simmon Brothers Inc. inLong Island City, NY and was laterre-engineered and manufactured by
Konishiroku Photo Industry Co. Ltd.
in Tokyo, Japan.
“The story behind the KoniOmega ‘Rapid’ is as follows: The
original Omega 120 was developed
at the suggestion of the U.S. Navy inthe 40s (produced in USA). It was atechnical success but a commercial
disappointment, thus it was discontinued in 1958. Increased production
costs caused the Simmon Brothers
to look abroad to manufacture its
successor, the K-O ‘Rapid.’ The
result was they found an agreeable
manufacturer in Japan.
“The difference between the
Rapid and the 100 or the Rapid M
and the 200 is but a minor cosmeticchange. During the late 50s-early
60s the U.S. Congress passed a lawthat all government agencies must
use items manufactured, in part, in
the USA – and that brought about
the Beseler Topcon Super D (Topcon
RE Super), the Omega 100 (KoniOmega Rapid), the Omega 200(Koni-Omega 200), Honeywell’sPentaxSpotmatic(Pentax
Spotmatic), etc. This was still goingon in the late 70s and early 80s
when Exakta 35mm cameras
became Beseler Topcon Cameras.

A full page advertisement by
Simmon Bros., Inc in the July 1954
issue of U.S. Camera “introduces”
the all-new Omega 120 with a selling
price of $239.50. Editor Ed Hannigan
gave a two page investigative reporton the new camera, commenting:“Presaging what may become
the trend of camera design for the
future, the Omega 120 is somewhat
startling to the beholder at first sight.
This rather unusual piece of equipment was never intended for eye
appeal – as most other cameras
usually are. Simmon Bros., Inc. ofLong Island City, N.Y. has been
known since 1935 as the maker ofthe famous line of Omega enlargers.
They have been known for “engiTHE PHSC E-MAIL

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VOL 4-2 MAY 2004

neering” the equipment they produce. So it is with the Omega 120. It
has been “engineered” from theground up. Each of its features has
its own integral attributes which help
make the camera be more than of
average interest.
“The Omicron lens of 90 mm.
focal length was especially made forthe camera and contains new rareearth high-index glass. It is a sharp
cutting optic giving excellent definition all the way into the corners ofthe 2 1/4x 2 3/4” negative area. This
format is in the ratio of 4:5, a proportion that matches those of enlarging
papers to eliminate waste and aid
composition.
“Focusing the Omega 120 isfacilitated by an oversize knob
extending from the right side whilecritical focusing is assured by asuper-sized magnifying rangefinder.
“A pull-out, push-in plunger leverat the bottom rear of the camera
couples together film advance, shutter cocking, advance of film counterand insertion of a new flash bulb to
the special holder (if so equipped).
“The long-stroke release lever forsmooth triggering of the shutter also
activates a plunger which forces thefilm pressure plate against the film
during exposure (normally the plateis retracted for frictionless advanceof the film).
“The functional design of thecamera includes a pistol grip on thecamera body permitting a relaxed,
yet firm, hold. A different grip wasavailable for large hands.
“What the future holds in the wayof photo equipment design no one
can accurately predict. It will be ofgreat interest five or ten years fromnow to look back and see exactly
what influences the Omega 120 may
have generated in engineering anddesign of cameras. Certainly, some of
the new features of this camera willfind acceptance and use. And, thatshould be good for photography!”
Links to additional information:
http://www.peterlanczak.de/koni.htm
and also check http://www.konio m e g a . o r g / KO _ A r c h i ve / Ko n i
Data/msg00075.html
SEE NEXT PAGE

FROM U.S. CAMERA July 1954, Vol. 17 No.7

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VOL 4-2 MAY 2004

Coming Events
May 28th, 2004 (Friday), A lectureby photojournalist Rita Leistnerbegins at 7:00PM in the Velma
Rogers Graham Theater, 333 Bloor
St. East, Toronto (S/E corner ofJarvis and Bloor Sts). This is an
opportunity to see pictures of Iraq
and hear personal insights from Rita
Leistner, a Canadian photojournalist
who has spent much of the past year
in that war-torn country.
May 29th & 30th, 2004, The Ontario
Historical Society is holding is
Annual Book Sale at the John
McKenzie House, 34 Parkview Ave.,
Willowdale from 10:00AM to 4:00PM
each day. Friday, May 28th is the
special Collectors Night Book
Sale, 7:00PM to 9:00PM with a $10
charge to have the first chance topurchase books prior to the weekend sale.
May 29th to July 10th 2004, The
Stephen Bulger Gallery, 1026 Queen
St. West, Toronto presents the firstsolo exhibition of photographs by Ian
MacPherson. Born in Glace Bay,
Nova Scotia he turned his camera to
documenting the changing face ofSaint John in the mid 1960s. hemoved to Toronto in 1966 then on to
London in 1968. The exhibition
includes images from the East Coastand Ontario with a strong focus onenvironmental portraits.
May 30th, 2004 (Sunday), Annual
PHSC Spring Fair will be at The
Soccer Centre, 7601 Martin Grove
Rd. Woodbridge. Opens 10am. For
table registration contact MarkSinger,(905)
762-9031
orstring@outer-net.com
June 7th, 2004 (Monday), A special
meeting to explore Railroad History
at the Steam Whistle Brewery - The
Roundhouse is scheduled for
5:30PM to 8:00PM with Bruce Bell,popular history columnist for the St.
Lawrence & Downtown Neighbourhood
Community Bulletin. He will take you
back to the days of yore when theroots of Toronto was abuzz with thesounds of the railroad. Tickets are$15.00 for lecture, tour and samples.

To September 6th, The CanadianMuseum of Contemporary Photography,
1 Rideau Canal, Ottawa is exhibiting
the photographs of John Massey in
The House That Jack Built. Since thelate 1970s, John Massey’s work has
involved the transformation of material and perception, first through construction of models and more recently through photographs. The exhibition features twelve multiple-print
series, comprising mainly gelatin silver prints from the past two decades.
October 3rd, 2004 (Sunday), Theannual PHSC Fall Fair will change its
location as it moves closer to the city.
Public transportation and ease ofparking have been considered inselecting facilities. Wait for details.
October 24th, 2004 (Sunday), The
33rd Annual MiPHS Photographica
Trade Show will again be held at
Novi, Michigan. See their website atwww.miphs.org/

EXHIBIT OF M.O. HAMMOND
The Archives of Ontario presents
a virtual exhibit featuring the work of
noted Toronto journalist, writer andamateur photographer, M.O. Hammond.
Selected images (from 13,000 prints
and negatives, 1896-1934) areaccompanied by entries from
Hammond’s personal diaries. See it atwww.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhi
bits/hammond/index.html

REBORN AS A WEBSITE
George Layne sends a message
to say that the International Kodak
Historical Society has been re-born
as a website. The Society is devoted
to spreading the word through pictures and stories of the history of theEastman Kodak Company, its products and its role in the developmentof photography in America. The firstedition of the site includes a story ofLeslie Williams of Rochester in 1918.
The story is told through pictures in
his personal photo album rescued
from Ebay, one page at a time. You
can join, free, by sending a message
while
visiting
the
site
at
www.kodakhistoricalsociety.org

THE PHSC E-MAIL

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VOL 4-2 MAY 2004

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
The Canadian National Exhibitionis bringing the tradition of competitions back to the fair. Starting withthe 3rd Annual John Withrow Photo
Competition, winning photographs
will be exhibited in the Arts, Crafts
and Hobbies Pavilion for the durationof the 18-day fair, Aug. 20 – Sept. 6,
2004. Separate competitions areheld for adults (18+) and youths(ages 12-17) with four categories: 1.
Monuments/Architectural Features/Cityscapes); 2. People; 3. Landscapes/Scenics and 4. Animals /Wildlife.
Entry fee of $4.00 for youths and$5.00 for adults. Prizes are $100 forFirst Place; $50.00 for Second Placeand A Magic Pass to the CNE
grounds for Third Place. Deadline isAugust 1st, 2004. For entry form andinformation see www.theex.com

OBITUARIESWe are remiss in not noting earlier the passing of some of ourfriends who have been supporters of
the Society over the years.
Harold H. Stein passed away
earlier this year. He joined the PHSC
in 1976 and held membership #101.
Maurice Zubatkin, long time
Secretary and Treasurer for the
Zeiss Historica Society has passed
away. He was the glue that held
everyone together for 15 years. At
the request of his wife, Maurice’s collection of film products (plates andfilm boxes) and light meters is seeking a home – individual or institution.
Contact lngubas@otonline.net
Ralph Vincent Farr, in his 87th
year died February 11th, 2004. Vince
spent years reporting for newspapers in Toronto, Barrie andPeterborough. In retirement heenthusiastically pursued his interestin nature photography and collecting
antique camera equipment.

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WantedMichael Gilbert needs a 16.5 inch
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or leave at (416) 923-1995.