Ensign Ful-Vue shutter sticking

[stephen_haynes]

The shutter on my Ensign Ful-Vue (early postwar model with exotic body

shape and fixed focus) does not always close properly: it stays partly open

until I let the shutter release lever back up. Is there a simple cure, or should I

just leave it as it is and save myself the expense of buying a Holga?

[dan_fromm1]

If you can afford film to run through your Ful-Vue, you can afford another Ful-Vue.

[John Seaman]

Stephen

 

I've had a number of these cameras - it's not difficult to remove the lens assemmbly by removing the two retaining screws and check what is going on. You can usually get them working. They are not actually fixed focus, rather the lens pulls in and out to two positions. They can take quite sharp pictures.

[stephen_haynes]

Thanks for your comments.

 

As for being able to afford film, it came with an unused roll of Verichrome Pan

inside it, on which I took some quite presentable pictures.

 

If it really is simple, perhaps I should try looking inside. There really isn't any

part of the lens that can be pushed or pulled - could there be something

missing, or was this feature not present on all models? I will have to find

another one to compare.

 

I must admit that I bought this camera purely for its wonderful shape - like a

bathyscaphe or something from a Dan Dare cartoon. The fact that it works,

and takes very characterful pictures, is a bonus.

[John Seaman]

This site gives much info about Ensign stuff: http://www.ensign.demon.co.uk/ful-vue.htm

 

The earlier Ful Vue had the two position push pull "all distance lens", the later model focussed by turning the lens in the usual way. Perhaps yours is just stuck?

[stephen_haynes]

John

 

Sorry if I seemed to doubt you. The lens does indeed pull out - I just hadn't

realized how hard you have to pull!