Ensign Roll-film Reflex

Late 1920s

Tropical

Houghtons Ltd

London

England

Lens:

f6.3, 4.25" Aldis Uno, iris diaphragm to f32.

Shutter:

T and I shutter.

Construction:

Lacquered teak with brown Russia leather bellows.

Format:

8, 2 ¼" x 3 ¼" exposures on 2 ¼B roll-film (120).

Focusing:

Rack and pinion focusing to 6 feet.

Attributes:

Reflex through taking lens. Full-size ground glass screen.
Mirror is pushed upwards when released, this acts as the shutter and uncovers the lens. At the end of the exposure a capping blade covers the lens.

Serial Number:

E1112 .

With:

Case.

This is a development of an earlier camera by Butcher.

The Tropical version of the camera was added in the late 1920s, the finish was advertised as 'waxed' this applied to some (?early) models but this example is lacquered. The focusing hood and short light trap surrounding the lens are of Russia leather. Around the late 1920s the retaining catch to the body changed from a circular shape to a flat plate as on this example. Several lenses were available including: f6.3 Ross (early models); f6.3 Uno; f7.7 Uno; f4.5 Dallmeyer, (from c.1930).

The patents describes the camera in detail in particular the mirror, shutter arrangement and the sliding extension to the mirror. The price was £6.0.0. Production ceased around 1933.

References & Notes:

BP 210531/1922 (H-B Mfg Co, A.J. Dennis, W. Dockree). BP 266494/1925 (H-B Mfg Co, A.J. Dennis, W. Dockree, V.W. Edwards). BJA 1925, p. 124.; BJA 1926, pp. 121, 321.; Butcher British Cameras, 1924, p. 8.; Ensign Cat, 1931, p. 21.; Ensign Cat. 1932, p. 26.

Houghtons Company Details

Early Photography