Square Reflector - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Square Reflector

1904

Newman & Guardia Ltd

London

England

Image of Square Reflector

Lens:
f6.3, 5 ½" Zeiss Protarlinse, iris diaphragm to f45. Combinable lens of two f12.5, 10" groups, iris to f45. Bayonet mount on front lens. Screw mount on lens cone. Serial no. 69972 69967 .

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 1/10 - 1/800, B, T. Adjustment by varying slit width.

Construction:
Leather covered mahogany body, leather bellows.

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

Focusing:
Bellows to 23". Double extension.

Attributes:
Reflex viewing through taking lens. Full-size ground glass screen with removable binocular magnifiers.
Mirror set separately to shutter. Mirror trips and raised by a spring. The mirror is split horizontally and folds as it is raised, allowing shorter focus lenses to be used.
Revolving back. 'T' level.

Movements:
Rising front.

Serial Number:
SR1709 , the shutter release plate carries the additional number of 100.

Notes:
Address on tripod top: 90 & 92 Shaftesbury Av. Hand written date inside filter compartment: 26/8/04.

With:

  • 3 double dark-slides, early pattern with tambour shutters.
  • Focusing magnifiers.
  • Yellow filter. Bayonet ring to fit onto lens when front group is removed. The filter fits onto this allowing it to be used with the rear lens group. Holder for masks or filters that attaches to the top of the front standard.
  • Pneumatic release attachment. Tripod top with N&G name plaque, tripod screw, stamped N&G. Fitted case.

Square Reflector

Second Version

1909

Newman & Guardia Ltd

London

England

Image of Square Reflector Second Version

Lens:
f6.3, 5 ½" Zeiss Double Protar, iris diaphragm to f45. Combinable lens of two f12.5, 9 ½" groups, iris to f45. Bayonet mount on front lens. Screw mount on lens cone. Serial no. 116469 116470 (1909).

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 1/10 - 1/800, B, T Adjustment by varying slit width.

Construction:
Leather covered mahogany body, leather bellows.

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

Focusing:
Bellows. Double extension.

Attributes:
Reflex viewing through taking lens. Full-size ground glass screen.
Mirror set separately to shutter. Mirror trips and raised by a spring. The mirror is split horizontally and folds as it is raised, allowing shorter focus lenses to be used.
Revolving back. 'T' level.

Movements:
Rising front.

Serial Number:
SR2262 , the shutter release plate carries the additional number of 2262.

Notes:
Address on box: 90 & 92 Shaftesbury Av.

With:

  • Changing box for 12 plates, bag type. Serial no. 4492.
  • Mackenzie-Wishart Daylight Slide.
  • Spanner. Tripod screw, stamped N&G. Fitted case.

Square Reflector

Second Version

1909

Newman & Guardia Ltd

London

England

Image of Square Reflector Second Version

Lens:
f6.3, 8" Zeiss Double Protar, iris diaphragm to f45. Combinable lens of two f12.5, 14" groups, iris to f45. Bayonet mount on front lens. Screw mount on lens cone. Serial no. 155889 155892 .

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 1/10 - 1/800, B, T Adjustment by varying slit width.

Construction:
Leather covered mahogany body, leather bellows.

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

Focusing:
Bellows. Double extension.

Attributes:
Reflex viewing through taking lens. Full-size ground glass screen.
Mirror set separately to shutter. Mirror trips and raised by a spring. The mirror is split horizontally and folds as it is raised, allowing shorter focus lenses to be used.
Revolving back. 'T' level.

Movements:
Rising front.

Serial Number:
SR2210 , the shutter release plate carries the additional number of 2210.

With:

  • Double dark-slide.
  • Two yellow filters.

Square Reflector

Second Version

Newman & Guardia Ltd

London

England

Image of Square Reflector Second Version

Lens:
f4.5, 4 ¾" Ross Xpres, iris diaphragm to f22. Serial no. 84585 .

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 1/10 - 1/800, B, T Adjustment by varying slit width.

Construction:
Leather covered mahogany body, leather bellows.

Format:
2 ½" x 3 ½" plates held in dark-slides.

Focusing:
Bellows. Double extension.

Attributes:
Reflex viewing through taking lens. Full-size ground glass screen.
Mirror set separately to shutter. Mirror trips and raised by a spring. The mirror is split horizontally and folds as it is raised, allowing shorter focus lenses to be used.
Revolving back. 'T' level.

Movements:
Rising front.

Serial Number:
SR2129 , the shutter release plate carries the additional number of 2129.

Notes:
The serial number on the camera dates to 1910, the lens dates to around 1918, given the small number of this size of Square Reflector made it is likely that a batch of cameras was made soon after introduction and left incomplete until sold.

With:
Single metal slide adapter, 5 slides. Case.

The first model Square Reflector was released in February 1904, that model had the focusing hood held upright by two flat metal columns with a bridging piece at the top to which a binocular eye-piece could be attached. From 1909 a conventional focusing hood was used.

The SR was very expensive compared to other reflexes such as the Soho. It was available in sizes from 2 ½" x 3 ½" to half-plate. Different plate/film holders could be deployed. The front lens group was fitted with a bayonet mount, when removed it could be stored in a compartment in the side of the camera. The complete lens fitted into a shallow cup or cone which screwed into the front of the lens board, a quick-change bayonet fitting was available rather than the screw fitting. The lens cup could be replaced by mounts for faster or long-focus lenses. Normally a Protar was fitted but other lenses were supplied.

References & Notes:
Reflex shutter mechanism. N&G Cameras. N&G Serial Numbers. BP 9599/1902. BP 19363/1902. BP 25285/1903. N&G Cat. 1908. N&G Cat. c. 1911, p. 43. Phot. Journal 1904, p. v.

Further Information:
Christie's Cat. 11/12/2002. Two examples numbered 1838 and 1934 with the earlier style focusing hood.


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