Ensign 12/20 med format folder.

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Does anyone have any experience of this 6X6 M/F folding camera.It is British,dates from the 50's,and carries a Ross Xpres 75mm lens.Any comments gratefully received.
Brian.

 

[FrankS]

I have the 6x9 version with 105mm Ross Expres lens. (for sale) I've found the lens to be very sharp. The camera is well-guilt and heavy compared to a Voightlander Bessa 6x9 folder. (also for sale) Mine are scale-focused and use a red window in the back door to advance film to the proper point. What else would you like to know?

 

[John Robertson]

I was told to avoid the ones with the Epsilon shutter due to reliability problems.

 

[Kim Coxon]

I have an 8/20 with the epsilon shutter and it was my father's before that. I have never had a problem with it although it has been serviced once in it's life.

Kim

 

[Ash]

I'm pretty sure RJ Lam has used an Ensign on more than one assignment *finds link* http://www.luxcamera.co.uk/Ross/Contenu.htm - his only page in French actually!

not sure which Ross Ensign it is... I can't find the link to the page showing his camera collection

 

[Ash]

http://www.luxcamera.co.uk/pages/Antiqua/Ross Ensign.htm

 

[Xmas]

Brian

I have to of the 6x4.5s they seem ok, have you specific queries?

Noel

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Thanks everyone for the comments.I had been aware of Ensign Selfix folders for some time,but in their 6x9 and 6x4.5 versions,similarly I had read that Ross Xpress lenses had a very high reputation.However for some reason I was unaware that Ensign also produced the 12/20,which resembles in appearance the Isolette and Nettar 6x6 folders ,but has a pop-up viewfinder rather than the built-in type.I've seen a couple advertised recently and been surprised.

I have often hankered after this type of camera,and a British version would be nice to own at some stage,but being unaware of the model,I wondered if for some reason it was not as successful or as reliable as it's larger cousins.Also the Epsilon shutter is not too common,but as Ensign used it on other
models,presumably it has some merit.

If any one has any more insight,would be glad to hear.

Cheers,🙂
Brian.

 

[Kim Coxon]

There is a South African site which is compiling a database on the Ensigns. I will post a linl if I can find it.

Kim

 

[Kim Coxon]

I can't find the link I was looking for at the moment but this may be of interest. http://www.ensign.demon.co.uk/ensigncamerapage.htm

Kim

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

I can't find the link I was looking for at the moment but this may be of interest. http://www.ensign.demon.co.uk/ensigncamerapage.htm

Kim

Thanks Kim,quite a lot of interesting background on this site.If you turn anything else up,I would be interested to learn more.

Brian.