Epsilon

Epsilon shutters are rim-set leaf shutters made by Barnet Ensign Ross (and the same company under later names) for their own folding cameras, in the late 1940s and 1950s. The same name, usually appearing on the face-plate below the lens, was used for shutters with at least two levels of specification. The shutters have a cable-release socket, but no delayed action. Most are synchronised for flash with a PC socket, however some early versions aren't synchronised and the Kodak Epsilon has a non standard Kodak fitting for a flash cord. Epsilon shutters also appear on some examples of other British makers' cameras (such as the Kershaw Curlew). Kodak Ltd (UK) used the Epsilon shutter for some of their British-made lenses after WWII, most common of which are the 203mm f7.7 Ektar and the 100mm f4.5 Anastar, these shutters are marked Kodak Epsilon.

There are some variations of the Epsilon which was gradually improved after its introduction during WWII. There are Epsilon shutters with top speeds of 1/150, 1/200, 1/250, 1/300 and 1/400 second.

The #0 sized Epsilon shutter is interchangeable with other #0 sized shutters such as the Compur, Copal, Seiko, Trikon (Ross), Prontor SVS and Prontor Press.

Epsilon shutter offering four speeds (over three and a half stops: 1/25 - 1/150 seconds) plus 'B' and 'T', on a mid-50s Ross Ensign Clubman, this shutter is similar the Trikon image by fulvue (Image rights)

Epsilon Shutter offering eight speeds (1 - 1/300 second) plus 'B' and 'T', from a MPP Microcord TLR image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights)

Early Epsilon shutter with eight speeds 1 - 1/150 second with B and T, no flash sync, rare uncoated 107mm f3.8 Ensar lens similar to the coated 1105mm f3.8 Xpres image by Ian Grant (Image rights)