Multex - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Multex

Model II

1937

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Image of Multex

Lens:
f2.9, 53 mm Ross Xpres, iris diaphragm to f22. Serial no. 140085 (c.1939).

Shutter:
Focal-plane speeded 1/2 - 1/1000, T.

Construction:
Leather covered metal body.

Format:
14, 1 ⅝" x 1 ¼" exposures on 127 roll-film.

Focusing:
Helical to 21".

Attributes:
Coupled rangefinder, swing mirror type. Direct-vision (lens/lens) view-finder.
Red window to load film. Exposure counter. Film-advance coupled to shutter.

Serial Number:
H21418 .

Multex

Model II

1937

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Image of Multex

Lens:
f3.5, 50 mm Multar, iris diaphragm to f16. Serial no. 140526 .

Shutter:
Focal-plane speeded 1/2 - 1/1000, T.

Construction:
Leather covered metal body.

Format:
14, 1 ⅝" x 1 ¼" exposures on 127 roll-film.

Focusing:
Helical to 21".

Attributes:
Coupled rangefinder, swing mirror type. Direct-vision (lens/lens) view-finder.
Red window to load film. Exposure counter. Film-advance coupled to shutter.

Serial Number:
H21877 .

With:
Lens cap.

The model 1 appeared in 1936, this had a black finish to the body, an open view-finder and speeds up to 1/500. The following year the model 11 appeared, the body was now finished in satin chrome, the finder enclosed and the top speed raised to 1//1000. An f3.5 Ensar was generally fitted to the model 1, Xpres and Tessar models were also advertised. The model 11 had a choice of lenses:

  • f3.5 Ensar.
  • f2.9 Ross Xpres.
  • f1.9 Ross Xpres.
  • f2.8 Zeiss Tessar.
  • f2 Zeiss Sonnar.

The camera did not prove very popular. The cheapest model was priced at £19.10.0 with a Multar, which was expensive. Advertisements stressed the ease of loading, the large images and the short film length when compared to 35 mm cameras.

References & Notes:
BJA 1937, p. 61.; BJA 1938, pp. 66, 294.; Ensign Cat. 1936, p. 16.; Ensign Cat. 1937, p. 40.

Illustrations:
A model in a box is shown in Christie's Cat. 11/12/02, 11.

Photosphere

Photo-Jumelle

Simili Jumelle

Sigriste

Stereocycle

Verascope

Veragraphe

Kosmo-Clack

Le Monobloc

Monobloc Simplifie

Stereo Spido

The Royal

Stereo Puck

Heidoscop

Rolleidoscop

Stereoflektoskop

Citoskop

Ensign Cupid

Ermanox

Meyer Speed Camera

Roland

Kolibri

Weeny Ultrix

Multex

Purma Speed

Purma Special

Purma Plus

Vest Olympic

VP Twin