Epsilon shutter service, anyone?

[fidget]

My Ensign 1620 folder with Ross Xpress set in an 8 speed Epsilon shutter is one of my favourite shooters. When I received it, the slow speeds were all hesitant so I gave it the usual flush with lighter fluid etc. Any-time I've flushed out a shutter, it was to free up slower speeds rather than to correct a high speed issue. The shutter is now fine for all but the highest speed of 300th. It otherwise works well, but 300th is really needed.

The top speed works, but is clearly very close (if not the same) as the next lower speed of 100th. I guess that I must strip it and try to give it a better service.
Has anyone done one of these or have pointers/links to info?


Also, I've got a slightly older/lower spec 1620 set in the same shutter with a "Rosstar" lens. This shutter is pretty good. I wonder if the shutter would take the Ross Xpress lens?

(I'm unusually reluctant to blaze in there and strip them all to try it all out. That approach is reserved for FSU kit)

Dave..

 

[oftheherd]

Surpring no one has jumped in with an answer. Hope you get something soon, or can come back in and say what you did and if it worked. I have heard a lot about the Ensign line of cameras, and seen them on ebay, but never used one.

 

[fidget]

I may pick up a beater on the bay to use as a practice piece.
The Ensign cameras are pretty nice units. Fairly heavy but well engineered.
I recommend you get one, their value seems to be increasing steadily.

If I have a go at servicing the shutter, I will produce a photo docu of the attempt.


Dave.

 

[dave61]

"My Ensign 1620 folder with Ross Xpress set in an 8 speed Epsilon shutter is one of my favourite shooters."
--Not that it matters for the repair job, but is it an Ensign Auto-Range 1620 or Selfix 1620?--
"The top speed works, but is clearly very close (if not the same) as the next lower speed of 100th. "
--Epsilon shutters do have a reputation...like Lukas (Prince of Darkness) Electrics--
"Has anyone done one of these or have pointers/links to info?"
--Try<ensign.demon.co.uk>; <marriottcameras.co.uk/ensign>; <amdmacpherson.com/classiccameras/ensign>; <ozcamera.com/ensign>. Email the P.C.C.G.B., ask for a referral to Ensign specialists. Go to<photo.net/classic-manual-cameras-forum> and search "Ensign camera repairs". People on this thread exchange advice and barter spare parts. I've gotten useful advice there.--
"Also, I've got a slightly older/lower spec 1620 set in the same shutter with a "Rosstar" lens. This shutter is pretty good. I wonder if the shutter would take the Ross Xpress lens?"
--AFAIK, shutters were mass-produced. Manufacturers generally designed cameras around existing leaf shutters. Existing lenses were put into mounts to fit specific shutters. If shutters are the same, see if distance between front and rear lens elements is the same. If mounting threads are also the same (bet they are), you should be able to swap optics and replace the shutter sucessfully. Before tearing into a shutter, I'd try swapping whole units, if you have that option. In a similar situation not long ago, I swapped a Compur-Rapid. It worked very well.--
BTW, I don't know how many Ensign fans there are, but I've got a few, icluding: 1935 6x9cm Auto-Range 20 (f4.5 Ensar in Prontor II); 1939 Auto-Range 220 (f4.5 Tessar in Compur); and 1948 Commando Type II (f3.5 Ensar in 1/200 Epsilon). Thing I like best about Ensign is that for 35 years they focused on perfecting rollfilm cameras-never made a 35mm! I think they got it right (eventually). They have a unique British personality, like a 1950's Jaguar 4-door Saloon. Sturdy cameras. Nice leatherwork. Good, thick bellows. I've shot lots of rolls with my Auto-Range 220 in 4.5x6 mode. Quite nice cameras, really. Underappreciated (and often undrpriced). Cheers.😉