Shew Eclipse

Mid 1890s

J.F. Shew & Co.

London

England

Lens:

Darlot lens with wheel stops. Serial no. 2439 .

Shutter:

Shew's Central shutter. Sector, between the lens, spring powered and regulated. Approximate speeds: 1/30 - 1/60.

Construction:

Spanish mahogany with brass binding and fittings mauve square cornered bellows.

Format:

4 ½" x 6 ½" exposures on roll-film.

Focusing:

Lens in helical focusing mount 3 ½ yards.

Movements:

Rising front.

With:

Eastman-Walker roll-holder for exposures on darkroom loaded roll-film. Exposure punch. Film-advance indicated by click. Serial no.: 6665.
Reflecting view-finder, celluloid screen. Two spirit levels on finder.
Tripod stand.; Shew leather case.

References & Notes:

BP 15542/1884 (roll-holder).

Shew Eclipse

J.F. Shew & Co.

London

England

Lens:

f8, Darlot lens, wheel stops, approximately f8, f12, f18, f30. Serial no. 2915 .

Shutter:

Shew's Central shutter. Sector, between the lens, spring powered and regulated. Approximate speeds: 1/30 - 1/60.

Construction:

Spanish mahogany with brass fittings, mauve square cornered bellows.

Format:

3 ¼" x 4 ¼" plates.

Focusing:

Lens in helical focusing mount to 9 feet.

With:

Rouch patent changing box for 12 plates.; Shew reflecting view-finder. Wood with celluloid screen.

Shew Eclipse

Long Focus model

c.1891

J.F. Shew & Co.

London

England

Lens:

c.f10, 6 ½" Darlot, wheel stops, approximately f10, f16, f22, f56. Serial no. 2096 .

Shutter:

Shew's Central shutter. Sector, between the lens, spring powered and regulated. Approximate speeds: 1/30 - 1/60.

Construction:

Spanish mahogany with brass binding and fittings, mauve square cornered bellows.

Format:

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

Focusing:

Lens in helical focusing mount to 8 feet. Rack and pinion adjustment to back which extends the focus to 5 feet.

Attributes:

Reflecting view-finder. Two spirit levels.

Movements:

Swing and tilt to back.

With:

Focusing screen.; 3 double dark-slides (1 - 6).; Lens cap.; Wooden view-finder.; Note book.; Fitted case.

The Eclipse appeared in 1885, it was possibly the first of a number of similar hand cameras having a shallow body and two wing supports to which the lens board was held by tension. The design is from a patent by Lowdon who also patented a camera support sold by Shew.

The Eclipse went through several improvements and different models until replaced by the Xit series around 1900.

Eclipse cameras were mostly fitted with a slightly short focal length lens (4" for the quarter-plate). The 'Long Focus' model, introduced around 1891, has a longer lens. Swing and tilt movements to the back were also introduced around 1891.

The lens generally fitted is a Darlot, a company Shew had many dealings with. The Eastman-Walker roll-holder appeared in 1895.

References & Notes:

BP 4102/1885. BP 11394/1891. BJA 1886, p. lxxxvii.; BJA 1888, p. 162.; BJA 1890, p. 150.; BJA 1892, p. 947.; PA 1891, p. cxlviii.

Further Information:

Lothrop, Century, p.52.

Shew Company Details

Early Photography

Shew Eclipse

Mid 1890s

J.F. Shew & Co.

London

England

Lens:

Shutter:

Construction:

Format:

Focusing:

Movements:

With:

References & Notes:

Shew Eclipse

J.F. Shew & Co.

London

England

Lens:

Shutter:

Construction:

Format:

Focusing:

With:

Shew Eclipse

Long Focus model

c.1891

J.F. Shew & Co.

London

England

Lens:

Shutter:

Construction:

Format:

Focusing:

Attributes:

Movements:

With:

References & Notes:

Further Information: