Difference between revisions of "Ensign Ful-Vue"

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(Image rights problem in this page.)
(All image_rights now ok I think. Layout still ok?)
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/3240310727/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/3240310727_92f1728b40_m.jpg]
 
||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/3240310727/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/3240310727_92f1728b40_m.jpg]
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
−
||The knob to unlock the camera for opening it.
+
||The knob to unlock the camera to open it.
 
||The big finder.
 
||The big finder.
 
||The front.
 
||The front.
 
||The camera<br>(Barnet-Ensign design of 1946).
 
||The camera<br>(Barnet-Ensign design of 1946).
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
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|colspan=4|<small>images by Dirk Spennemann</small>
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|colspan=4|<small>images by Dirk Spennemann</small> {{with permission}}
 
|}
 
|}
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/graustark/532580529/ <!-- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED -->
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/graustark/532580529/in/pool-camerawiki/
 
|image= http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1158/532580529_4d13854810_m.jpg
 
|image= http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1158/532580529_4d13854810_m.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_text= Early Ful-Vue: already with big finder
 
|image_text= Early Ful-Vue: already with big finder
 
|image_by= graustark
 
|image_by= graustark
 +
|image_rights=with permission
 
}}
 
}}
 
The earliest Ful-Vue version of 1939 was a typical [[box camera]] with back door, but already having the characteristic big [[viewfinder]]. Like other box cameras it had a back door and an inner camera part which could be taken out of the box to load the film. In 1946 the camera was redesigned, getting away from average box camera design. Then the inner part of the camera was fixed to the side panel with the film winding knob. The whole unit could be pulled out of the camera sidewards after unlocking it with the knob on the other side panel.
 
The earliest Ful-Vue version of 1939 was a typical [[box camera]] with back door, but already having the characteristic big [[viewfinder]]. Like other box cameras it had a back door and an inner camera part which could be taken out of the box to load the film. In 1946 the camera was redesigned, getting away from average box camera design. Then the inner part of the camera was fixed to the side panel with the film winding knob. The whole unit could be pulled out of the camera sidewards after unlocking it with the knob on the other side panel.
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|image_text= [[Ross-Ensign]] Ful-Vue Super
 
|image_text= [[Ross-Ensign]] Ful-Vue Super
 
|image_by= uwekulick
 
|image_by= uwekulick
 +
|image_rights=with permission
 
}}
 
}}
 
Shutter speed was 1/30 sec. in instant mode and B in time mode. Focusing was possible by pulling the lens out for close exposures. Pictures were 6×6cm on [[120 film]].
 
Shutter speed was 1/30 sec. in instant mode and B in time mode. Focusing was possible by pulling the lens out for close exposures. Pictures were 6×6cm on [[120 film]].
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|image_align= left
 
|image_align= left
 
|image_text= Ful-Vue II color variant
 
|image_text= Ful-Vue II color variant
−
|image_by= Snapper 31 on Flickr
+
|image_by= Snapper 31
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
}}
 
}}
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|image=http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1327/5109066216_84a6aca3e2_m.jpg
 
|image=http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1327/5109066216_84a6aca3e2_m.jpg
 
|image_align=left
 
|image_align=left
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|image_text=Ful-Vue Super in Red<br /><small>by AWCam {{with permission}}</small>
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|image_text=Ful-Vue Super in Red
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|image_by= AWCam  
 +
|image_rights=with permission
 
}}
 
}}
 
|}
 
|}
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|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/3243116155_4629b3d0ff.jpg
 
|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/3243116155_4629b3d0ff.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_align= right
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|image_text= Further disassembly of Barnet-Ensign Ful-Vue<br/>{{with permission}} images on this page shown with permission
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|image_text= Further disassembly of Barnet-Ensign Ful-Vue
 +
|image_by=fulvue
 +
|image_rights=with permission
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{|class="plainlinks floatright"
 
{|class="plainlinks floatright"
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| colspan=2 | shutters
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| colspan=2 | Shutters:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/31324280@N02/3243118807/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3243118807_414027b4f0_m.jpg]
 
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/31324280@N02/3243118807/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3243118807_414027b4f0_m.jpg]
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|-
 
|-
 
|| shutter of Barnet-Ensign Ful-Vue || shutter of Ful-Vue II
 
|| shutter of Barnet-Ensign Ful-Vue || shutter of Ful-Vue II
 +
|-
 +
| colspan=2 align="center"|<small>images by fulvue</small> {{with permission}}
 
|}
 
|}
  
 +
{{Br}}
  
 
{|class="plainlinks floatleft"
 
{|class="plainlinks floatleft"
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|-
 
|-
 
|colspan=5|
 
|colspan=5|
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||back with red window
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||Back with red window<br><small>image by Dirk Spennemann</small><br>{{with permission}}
 
|}<br style="clear:right"/>
 
|}<br style="clear:right"/>
  
 
The complete Ful-Vue series serves as a model for [[TTV]] cameras, cameras used for taking digital images through their amazingly big finders ([[TTV|through-the-viewfinder photography]]).
 
The complete Ful-Vue series serves as a model for [[TTV]] cameras, cameras used for taking digital images through their amazingly big finders ([[TTV|through-the-viewfinder photography]]).
 +
 +
  
 
{|class=plainlinks
 
{|class=plainlinks
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/31324280@N02/3243118103/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/3243118103_347f33130f_t.jpg]
 
||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/31324280@N02/3243118103/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/3243118103_347f33130f_t.jpg]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|colspan=6|The finder housing with lenses and the retention springs which fix it over the mirror upon the camera body.
+
|colspan=6 align="center"|The finder housing with lenses and the retention springs which fix it over the mirror upon the camera body.<br><small>images by Dirk Spennemann and fulvue</small> {{with permission}}
 
|}{{br}}
 
|}{{br}}
  
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|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/3448361706_3e530d9b9d_m.jpg
 
|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/3448361706_3e530d9b9d_m.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_align= right
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|image_text= Ful-Vue Super, distance scale<br /><small>image by fulvue {{with permission}}</small>
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|image_text= Ful-Vue Super, distance scale<br /><small>image by fulvue</small> {{with permission}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
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|image= http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1070/881565002_626c4ec60a_m.jpg
 
|image= http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1070/881565002_626c4ec60a_m.jpg
 
|image_align= left
 
|image_align= left
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|image_text= 1950s version, with plastic<br/>front and distance scale<br /><small>image by John Kratz {{With permission}}</small>
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|image_text= 1950s version, with plastic<br/>front and distance scale<br /><small>image by John Kratz</small> {{with permission}}
 
}}
 
}}
  

Revision as of 20:00, 10 April 2011

cit: "The Ful-Vue camera is really a very simple camera. It consists of a light-tight box. In front of the box there is a hole, over which the lens is fixed. Behind this hole is the shutter. There is a second lens in a second box above it. This produces a picture on the viewfinder on top of the camera. In the back of the box is another hole covered by a red window. This helps you in winding the film on, which you do by the knob at the side of the box near the top." [Marcel Natkin].

3240313503_d0e2d295be_m.jpg 3241146236_161fa7a072_m.jpg 3240497121_f5a3dc1fab_m.jpg 3240310727_92f1728b40_m.jpg
The knob to unlock the camera to open it. The big finder. The front. The camera
(Barnet-Ensign design of 1946).
images by Dirk Spennemann (Image rights)
532580529_4d13854810_m.jpg
Early Ful-Vue: already with big finder
image by graustark (Image rights)

The earliest Ful-Vue version of 1939 was a typical box camera with back door, but already having the characteristic big viewfinder. Like other box cameras it had a back door and an inner camera part which could be taken out of the box to load the film. In 1946 the camera was redesigned, getting away from average box camera design. Then the inner part of the camera was fixed to the side panel with the film winding knob. The whole unit could be pulled out of the camera sidewards after unlocking it with the knob on the other side panel.

2910260750_460e0155e6_m.jpg
Ross-Ensign Ful-Vue Super
image by uwekulick (Image rights)

Shutter speed was 1/30 sec. in instant mode and B in time mode. Focusing was possible by pulling the lens out for close exposures. Pictures were 6×6cm on 120 film.

In 1950 further improvements were made, the new flash synchronized shutter, the turnable lens barrel allowing three different distance settings instead of two, an all-plastic front panel, and an optional flashgun. The improved version was called Ful-Vue II. This was succeeded in 1954 by the Ross-Ensign Ful-vue Super, which had a flat front plate extending around both lenses, a cast alloy body (in place of the sheet steel) and a collapsible hood around the viewfinder. Its red window was closable. The film loading was eased another time by means of the removable back-and-bottom part which was held just by the clamp on the bottom. A more elegant flash unit was available, mountable without cable to a side panel of the camera.

Except for the Ful-Vue Super, which used 620 film the Ful-Vues use(d) type No. 120 rollfilm. An old Barnet-Ensign Ful-Vue may need some manipulation by simply bending the long metal strip that is part of the rollholder a little bit to achieve the necessary tension of the film. Using both rollfilm sizes in one Ful-Vue is not possible.

Most Ful-Vues were finished in dark grey crackle paint, but many other colours were made, in smaller quantities. In 1952 a special "silver" one was issued to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

4986086854_c4fd58fbd1_m.jpg
Ful-Vue II color variant
image by Snapper 31 (Image rights)
5109066216_84a6aca3e2_m.jpg
Ful-Vue Super in Red
image by AWCam (Image rights)
3243116155_4629b3d0ff.jpg
Further disassembly of Barnet-Ensign Ful-Vue
image by fulvue (Image rights)
Shutters:
3243118807_414027b4f0_m.jpg 2966942784_7886501093_m.jpg
shutter of Barnet-Ensign Ful-Vue shutter of Ful-Vue II
images by fulvue (Image rights)


Timeline
The history of the Ful-Vue reflects the history of the Ensign companies: 3241149552_d2047668a1_t.jpg
year 1939 1946 1950 1954
name Ful-Vue Ful-Vue Ful-Vue II Ful-Vue Super
maker Ensign Barnet Ensign Barnet Ensign Ross Ross-Ensign
Back with red window
image by Dirk Spennemann
(Image rights)


The complete Ful-Vue series serves as a model for TTV cameras, cameras used for taking digital images through their amazingly big finders (through-the-viewfinder photography).


3176869048_24198fe6c5_t.jpg 3176028711_893509c1dc_t.jpg 3176027573_4ca174bbcf_t.jpg 3176040665_93300a9478_t.jpg 3243117151_91bd9c81f6_t.jpg 3243118103_347f33130f_t.jpg
The finder housing with lenses and the retention springs which fix it over the mirror upon the camera body.
images by Dirk Spennemann and fulvue (Image rights)


3448361706_3e530d9b9d_m.jpg
Ful-Vue Super, distance scale
image by fulvue (Image rights)
881565002_626c4ec60a_m.jpg
1950s version, with plastic
front and distance scale
image by John Kratz (Image rights)

Links

Literature

  • Natkin, Marcel: Ful-Vue Guide. London and New York 1949 (2nd. edition 1951, 3rd ed. 1952., 4th ed. 1953)
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