Keros

1912

Ross Ltd

London

England

Lens:

f6.8, 5" Ross Compound Homocentric, iris diaphragm to f45. Serial no. 73910 (c. 1912).

Shutter:

Compound, speeds 1 - 1/250, B, T. Serial no. 157332.

Construction:

Leather covered mahogany body. Black leather bellows.

Format:

3 ¼" x 4 ¼" plates held in double dark-slides.

Focusing:

Bellows to 21", focusing scale to 6 feet. Double extension.

Attributes:

Brilliant view-finder. Spirit level. Revolving back. Drop-bed. Wide-angle focusing rack, wide-angle top flap.

Movements:

Rising front, tilting front.

Serial Number:

RF8 .

With:

5 double dark-slides (1 - 10). Film pack adapter, marked Kodak Licensed. Serial no. K3908.
Focusing screen. Case.

The Keros was produced in quarter-plate and 9 x 12 cm sizes. The usual lenses were 5" Homocentric of f6.3 or f6.8 or a 5 ¼" Xpres. The shutters originally fitted were Compound, Koilos, Ibso, Multispeed Standard or Multispeed Junior. From 1914 the N&S pneumatic and the Multispeeds were used, the Ilex Acme and the Optimo appeared around 1916. The camera ceased to be advertised around 1918.

The Keros was not very successful judging by the number still in existence, probably due to the cost which was higher than the equivalent Una or Sanderson. The camera was manufactured for Ross by A. Kershaw & Son, the revolving back is very similar to that on the Ross/Marion Reflex camera.

References & Notes:

BJA 1913, p. 55. BJA 1915, p. 44. BJA 1917, p. 24.

Illustrations:

Christie's Cat. 11/12/2002 lots 76, 77 show cameras serial no. RF15, RF22.

Company Details:

Ross

Early Photography