John Kantymir’s SOHO Tropical Reflex SLR – photo by Bob Lansdale
Toronto. In the early 1900s, various English companies made glass-plate SLRs. The idea was to use the same lens for both viewing and photographing. A mirror changed the direction for viewing (vertical) to photographing (straight through).
In the tropics, the regular softwood body with a leather covering suffered from the extreme heat, dampness, and mildew. A tropical camera is made of hardwood (walnut, Honduras mahogany, teak, etc.) and varnished. Brass is used rather than ferrous metal avoiding the risk of rust. The only leather used is for the bellows and viewing hood.
The camera shown at left once belonged to the late John Kantymir and appeared in his column back in the December, 2009 issue of the journal (35-3). John’s story begins, ‘If there’s an index of “golden oldies” for camera collectors then I would have to place the tropical model of the SOHO Reflex camera high on that list. Its rugged varnished mahogany wood and bright brass fittings make it a stand-out amongst other classics.
‘The Soho Reflex camera was first introduced in 1905 as a single-lens reflex to rival similar cameras such as Newman & Guardia “Reflex,” Adams & Co’s “Minex,” and Thornton Pickard’s “Ruby Reflex.” [all British-made SLRs]’
Members can read John’s full story of the SOHO in issue 35-3 of the journal on their DVD that covers Volumes 1 – 40. Not a member? It’s easy – follow the steps to the right, or view the MEMBERSHIP menu item above.
