Difference between revisions of "Ensign Roll Film Reflex"

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The '''Ensign Roll Film Reflex''' is a range of [[SLR]] cameras made in the 1920s by [[Houghton and Ensign|Houghton]] for 2¼x3¼-inch (6x9 cm) pictures on 120 roll film. The same name refers to two models, of rather different levels of specification. These are both very poor cousins of the [[Ensign Reflex]] cameras made in larger sizes for plates; they have only a 'T' and 'I' shutter, rather than the focal-plane shutter which is the heart of the larger SLRs. There is another model, the [[Ensign Focal Plane Roll Film Reflex]] which has this.
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The '''Ensign Roll Film Reflex''' is a range of [[SLR]] cameras made in the 1920s by [[Houghton and Ensign|Houghton]] for 2¼x3¼-inch (6x9 cm) pictures on [120 film|120 roll film]. The same name refers to two models, of rather different levels of specification. These are both very poor cousins of the [[Ensign Reflex]] cameras made in larger sizes for plates; they have only a 'T' and 'I' shutter, rather than the focal-plane shutter which is the heart of the larger SLRs. There is another model, the [[Ensign Focal Plane Roll Film Reflex]] which has this.
  
 
The picture here shows a horizontally-oriented camera, with only a 'T' and 'I' shutter, but with a focusing anastigmat lens. ''Early Photography'' shows a tropical example of this camera, made from uncovered teak, with brass fittings.<ref name=EP2>[http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/entry_C654.html Ensign Roll Film Reflex, Tropical model] with 4¼-inch [[Aldis]] f/6.3 [[Uno Anastigmat]], at ''Early Photography''.</ref> Another example of this has been seen at Westlicht.<ref name=W1>[https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=16&inO=528 Ensign Roll Film Reflex, Tropical model] with 4-inch f/4.5 Dallmeyer Anastigmat, sold at the [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=16 sixteenth Westlicht Photographica Auction], on 5 December 2009; the listing incorrectly describes the camera as having a focal-plane shutter. McKeown also states this of the tropical model; this is probably due to confusion with the Focal Plane Roll-Film Camera, which was at first named the Ensign Speed Film Reflex; the [http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/entry_C536.html notes on the focal-plane camera] at ''Early Photography'' suggest that confusion with the simpler camera was the reason for the change of name.</ref> The horizontal camera is interestingly arranged: the film winding key is in front of the folding hood, as is the focusing knob. The camera has tripod bushes on the bottom and side.<ref name=W1/> It was also sold by [[Butcher]] as their '''Reflex Carbine'''.
 
The picture here shows a horizontally-oriented camera, with only a 'T' and 'I' shutter, but with a focusing anastigmat lens. ''Early Photography'' shows a tropical example of this camera, made from uncovered teak, with brass fittings.<ref name=EP2>[http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/entry_C654.html Ensign Roll Film Reflex, Tropical model] with 4¼-inch [[Aldis]] f/6.3 [[Uno Anastigmat]], at ''Early Photography''.</ref> Another example of this has been seen at Westlicht.<ref name=W1>[https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=16&inO=528 Ensign Roll Film Reflex, Tropical model] with 4-inch f/4.5 Dallmeyer Anastigmat, sold at the [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=16 sixteenth Westlicht Photographica Auction], on 5 December 2009; the listing incorrectly describes the camera as having a focal-plane shutter. McKeown also states this of the tropical model; this is probably due to confusion with the Focal Plane Roll-Film Camera, which was at first named the Ensign Speed Film Reflex; the [http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/entry_C536.html notes on the focal-plane camera] at ''Early Photography'' suggest that confusion with the simpler camera was the reason for the change of name.</ref> The horizontal camera is interestingly arranged: the film winding key is in front of the folding hood, as is the focusing knob. The camera has tripod bushes on the bottom and side.<ref name=W1/> It was also sold by [[Butcher]] as their '''Reflex Carbine'''.

Revision as of 06:39, 7 January 2023

The Ensign Roll Film Reflex is a range of SLR cameras made in the 1920s by Houghton for 2¼x3¼-inch (6x9 cm) pictures on [120 film|120 roll film]. The same name refers to two models, of rather different levels of specification. These are both very poor cousins of the Ensign Reflex cameras made in larger sizes for plates; they have only a 'T' and 'I' shutter, rather than the focal-plane shutter which is the heart of the larger SLRs. There is another model, the Ensign Focal Plane Roll Film Reflex which has this.

The picture here shows a horizontally-oriented camera, with only a 'T' and 'I' shutter, but with a focusing anastigmat lens. Early Photography shows a tropical example of this camera, made from uncovered teak, with brass fittings.[1] Another example of this has been seen at Westlicht.[2] The horizontal camera is interestingly arranged: the film winding key is in front of the folding hood, as is the focusing knob. The camera has tripod bushes on the bottom and side.[2] It was also sold by Butcher as their Reflex Carbine.

Early Photography also shows a vertically-oriented 2¼B Roll Film Reflex, with a fixed-focus meniscus-achromat lens and 'T' and 'I' shutter.[3] The lens is an f/8 for viewing, stopped down to f/11 by a fixed stop that moves into position as the shutter is released.[4] McKeown lists this simple camera under the name Ensign Roll Film Reflex.[5] The notes at Early Photography state that that the opening blade of the shutter is attached to the reflex viewing mirror (rather like the Exa or Pilot Six).[3] The cameras are wooden-bodied; they were available in either black leather or (supposedly) wood-grain patterned cloth finish.[4][5]

That these two rather different cameras were regarded by Houghtons as part of the same range is illustrated by an advertisement in the BJP Almanac for 1925,[4]


Notes

  1. Ensign Roll Film Reflex, Tropical model with 4¼-inch Aldis f/6.3 Uno Anastigmat, at Early Photography.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Ensign Roll Film Reflex, Tropical model with 4-inch f/4.5 Dallmeyer Anastigmat, sold at the sixteenth Westlicht Photographica Auction, on 5 December 2009; the listing incorrectly describes the camera as having a focal-plane shutter. McKeown also states this of the tropical model; this is probably due to confusion with the Focal Plane Roll-Film Camera, which was at first named the Ensign Speed Film Reflex; the notes on the focal-plane camera at Early Photography suggest that confusion with the simpler camera was the reason for the change of name.
  3. 3.0 3.1 2¼B Roll-Film Reflex at Early Photography.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 2¼B Roll Film Reflex with 'wood grain' covering at David Purcell's Antique & Vintage Photographic Equipment. The thumbnail image of the BJP advertisement previously linked to a larger version.
  5. 5.0 5.1 McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover)., p401.

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