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Ensign Ful-Vue

Manufactured by Barnet-Ensign-Ross Ltd., London, UK

Model: 1950, Model II, (produced between 1950-1953)

All Ensign Ful-Vue series produced between 1939-59

TLR like Box film camera, film: 120 roll, picture size: 6x6cm

Plate on top of the camera: Ensign

Lens: Ensign Ensar meniscus type, (lens name is not on the lens), fix aperture f/11, filter slip-on, serial no.none

Focusing: manual front focusing, by pulling the lens out for close exposures,

Three settings: feets 2 - 3-5 - 6 inf, markings behind the lens

Shutter: Single-blade returning, safety pin shutter, one speed, Instant mode (I) 1/30, and Time mode (T)

setting : lever on the right of front plate, w/ I & T markings

Cocking and Shutter release: by the same lever, on the bottom of the front plate,

Manual shutter cocking and releasing on the same time, by pressing once the lever, the diaphragm opens and closes

Viewfinder: reflector type Waist level view finder, large and brilliant, Full View of the subject, (Ful-Vue) , not actually mirrored glass but a polished metal plate

Winding knob: on the right side of the camera

Flash PC socket: on the left of the front plate

Film loading: The whole unit for film loading could be pulled out of the camera right sidewards after unlocking it with the knob on the left side of the camera

There is a sticker on the film loading part: Ask for Ensign 20 size film

Red window: on the back side of the camera , w/ buil-inlid, opens by the small knob over it

Tripod socket: 1/4''

Strap knobs

Body: pressed steel, front plate (shutter housing) bakelite; Weight:

serial no.none

+Original case and users manual

Most Ful-Vue Model II were finished in black crackle paint, but many other colours were made, in smaller quantities. In 1952 a special coloured models were issued to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Ful-Vue was very popular in Britain in its times.

The brief history of Houghtons- Ensign:

Houghtons Ltd. was formed in 1903. The firm was merger with W. Butcher and Sons Ltd. to form Houghton-Butcher Manufacturing Company. Although their cameras were still sold under their separate company names, the new joint company provided a common manufacturing base. In 1926 the company products named Houghton-Butcher officially.

Houghton-Butcher was renamed Ensign Ltd. in 1930. This was the name of the cameras that it produce. The new company kept many of Houghtons and Butcher's camera ranges. In 1939 it introduced the Ensign Ful-Vue box camera. During the producing times of the Ensign Ful-Vue camera series, the manufacturer firm's names changed three times as Barnet Ensign (1945), Barnet Ensign Ross (1948) and Ross-Ensign (1954).

In 1961 Ross-Ensign had faded away completely.

More info: Demon, Demon Ful-Vue, Camerapedia

 

 

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Uploaded on May 16, 2011
Taken on May 15, 2011