The Soho Reflex

The Soho was one of the most popular early single-lens reflexes and came to epitomise the English reflex of that period. It was sold by Marion and their successors up to the 1940s. The camera was manufactured by Kershaw who was later to join with Marion as part of APM in 1921. The same camera was also sold by Ross, Beck and others under their own name.

The mirror moves in a curve when being raised, this gives a backward movement as the mirror is lifted allowing lenses with shorter back focus to be used. The mirror is also connected to a dampening cylinder providing a smooth movement without jolts. When lowered the mirror forms a light-tight box in which the non-self-capping shutter can be tensioned.

The Stereo Soho, in the smaller size, is a post-card model with a septum attached to the underside of the mirror and dividers to fit in the image plane and below the focusing screen. These fittings were removable allowing the camera to be used for mono work.

Soho Models

Ordinary

Introduced in 1905 in three sizes: quarter-plate, 5" x 4" and half-plate (the half-plate may have been introduced after the other two). The following year the postcard size was added. Around 1913 metric sizes of 6.5 x 9 cm, 9 x 12 cm, 10 x 15 cm and 12 x 16.5 cm were added. Apart from the postcard size the camera had a revolving back. The shutter was a non-self-capping focal plane by Kershaw with a top speed that depended on the model size. The body was made of mahogany and finished in Morocco leather.

Tropical

These were introduced around 1909. They were made of teak with a lacquered finish and brass fittings. The bellows and hood were of red Russia leather. They were available in all the imperial sizes and 9 x 12 cm, 10 x 15 cm and 12 x 16.5 cm. The brass lacquerer used is often a dark red/orange colour.

Dainty

When first introduced in 1908 this was a different camera to the Ordinary Soho. The internal mirror arrangement was completely different. The hood was very distinctive, it did not have a front cover and was fitted with a single magnifying lens. In 1910 a conventional hood was fitted and the camera was designated No. 1. A No. 2 was introduced which was an Ordinary Soho in a smaller size. The No. 1 was discontinued before World War I. The plate size was 3 ½" x 2 ½". A tropical version of the later model was made.

Stereo

Two sizes were made, 5 ½" x 3 ½" introduced in 1907 and 6 ¾" x 3 ¼" introduced c. 1913. The smaller version was a postcard model with a removable septum, focusing screen divider and image plane divider. In other respects, it was similar to the Ordinary. The larger size was available for only a few years.

Baby

This took 4.5 x 6 cm plates. It was similar to the Ordinary model but had a simplified front standard without movements. High-speed lenses could be fitted. Introduced in 1926.

Variations

These cover the Ordinary, Tropical, Stereo, Dainty No.2 and Baby.

• Shutter setting knob - For the first year or two this may have been a small diameter round knob. By 1907 it was the familiar two-pronged wheel. In c. 1926 a larger diameter Bakelite knob was fitted.
• T&I settings - At first this was a lever. In 1928 it was changed to a small conical knob.
• Rising front - A rack and pinion rising front was fitted in c. 1909 except on the postcard and stereo models which had a friction grip.
• Focusing screen mask indicating reversing back position - Fitted in 1927. Manually operated.
• Speed dial - This was changed in 1927, the new dial was clearer and had a plastic cover. A 'B' setting was added.
• Swing front - This was an option fitted to all but the Baby. It gave a four-way swing movement.
• Reversing hood - Available from the 1920s.
• A focusing scale may be engraved on one of the extension brackets.
• A Ross model was briefly advertised in 1906 finished in hand-sewn cowhide.

Accessories

Front Extension

Extra bellows could be attached to the front of the camera giving extra extension for copying or long-focus work. Advertised in 1911.

Viewing Mirror

A mirror could be fixed to the top of the viewing hood for eye-level use.

Plate Holders

Double dark slides either book or block form, adapter to use single metal slides, changing box, film pack adapter and a Mackenzie-Wishart slide were all available.