Lizars De Luxe Tropical Reflex

1908

J. Lizars

Glasgow

Scotland

Shutter:

Focal-plane, speeds 1/10 - 1/1000, T. Speeds varied by varying slit width and spring tension. Slit width settings are 1 - 5, tension settings are 0 - 9.

Construction:

Polished teak body brass fittings. Red leather bellows and focusing hood. The bellows are of Russia leather.

Format:

6 ½" x 4 ¾" plates held in double dark-slides.

Focusing:

Bellows.

Attributes:

Reflex viewing through taking lens. Full-size ground glass screen.
Revolving back, removable hood.
The mirror retracts slightly as it is raised.

Movements:

Rack and pinion rising front.

Notes:

Name plaque shows addresses in: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Belfast, Paisley, Greenock and Aberdeen. (c. 1913).

With:

Focusing back. 2 book-form double dark-slides. Case.

The De Luxe Reflex was introduced in 1906, the tropical model followed in 1908. The camera was produced in sizes of quarter-plate, 4" x 5" and half-plate with a stereoscopic model being introduced in 1908. A similar model was produced in 3 ½" x 2 ½" called the Miniature Reflex.

The mirror setting lever was close to the focussing knob on early versions of the camera, later, around 1910, this was moved to the left-hand side (when using the camera). Early descriptions of the camera say that the focusing hood is hinged, on the example shown here the hood is removable and slides away from the body. Wood-cuts also show the hood to have the cover at the rear next to the operator rather than at the front as on this example. In early descriptions there is no mention of the mirror retracting.

The camera is very well-made with extensive brass binding. Oddly the lens box if not removable.

References & Notes:

BJA 1907, p. 1217. BJA 1908, p. 1316. BJA 09, p. 1268. BJA 1910, p. 1256.

Company Details:

Lizars

Early Photography