The hood of the early model is distinctive, it is of unpleated leather held in position by two wire frames. One of these is in a piston type arrangement and can collapse in on itself, the other frame then folds across to close the hood. Later models (1910) have a conventional hood with wooden lid.

The mirror of the early model does not move backwards when raised as in the larger Soho models. By removing a side panel the whole shutter/mirror mechanism slides out from the casing. Early advertisements state that the value shown on the shutter dial is not the speed, which has to be looked up on a separate table. On this example the values are speeds but are hard to read e.g. 1/800 is shown as 8. There are no screw holes for a separate speed plate. The camera was also sold by Ross. A pencil inscription inside the camera shows that it was serviced in 1927.

In 1910 a conventional hood was fitted and the original model was designated No 1. A No. 2 was introduced which was a conventional type Soho in a smaller size. The No. 1 was discontinued before World War I. The workmanship of the late model Soho does not match the earlier ones.

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 were 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

Tropical

Dainty

Stereo

Baby

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

Viewing Mirror

Plate Holders