Ross Ensign 820

[smw-jmw]

Hi,

I am qiute new to MF, but have just had some prints back from my Zeiss 515/2

and have now got the MF bug....

I have just bought a Ross Ensign 820 after much searching, and I am just

waiting for it to arrive.

Can anyone tell what filter size the express lens takes? I would like to get

some filters so that I am ready to go when the camera arrives.

Any tips / useful info on the Ross 820 would be most welcome.

Regards

Steve

[david_m]

Just wait for it to arrive. Why the rush? I'm sure you could find the answer via Google.

[peter_evans4]

<p>Take a look at <a

href="http://www.geocities.com/antjam65/Autorange820.html">this</a>

and the links therefrom (though they won't answer your

question).</p>

[smw-jmw]

Thanks for the helpful and encouraging response David, I have tried a search on Google, but could not find the information I wanted, which is why I thought this forum might have given me the answer!

I got the impression this was a Medium Format forum for members to discuss Medium Format cameras and related issues.

 

Many thanks for the links Peter, they were very interesting.

 

Regards

Steve

[John Seaman]

Steve

 

Folding cameras in the 1940's and 50's were supplied with a bewildering variety of lens / aperture / shutter combinations, any of which could need different filters - hence the suggestion to wait until you get the camera.

 

I've got an Ensign Selfix 820 with a Ross Xpress lens which may be the same as yours. I'm not at home so can't check the filter size right now. Keep an eye on the thread and I'll try & post it later.

[peter_evans4]

<p>Steve, this is a camera that I've always wanted to try -- until I

note the price tag. I hope it's as good as people say. (They do

also say that its shutter is its weakest part; go easy with

this.)</p><p>It's a bit odd that there doesn't seem to be a single

very informative page about a camera that's so highly regarded. The

description at the link I gave you earlier is interesting and

worthwhile (and his photos are great) but doesn't tell us so much.

Go up to antjam's main <a

href="http://www.geocities.com/antjam65/folders.html">folding camera

page</a> and the obscurity among them is surely the Mine Six Super

66 (not work-safe!). The Mine Six does have <a

href="http://camerapedia.org/wiki/Mine_Six">a pretty informative

page elsewhere</a>. Sadly, <a

href="http://camerapedia.org/wiki/Houghton-Butcher">this</a> is the

best the latter site has for Ensign. Do please contribute!</p>

[peter_evans4]

<p>PS you could also try asking <a

href="http://nelsonfoto.com/v/index.php">here</a>.</p>

[geoffrey_bridge]

Hi Steve

I have one of these wonderful cameras and have just measured the lens diameters for you.

This is the 3.8 Ross Xpres in 1- 1/250Epsilon shutter. I don't have the rangefinder model.

Mine is the standard Ensign 820.

 

There is no threading on the internal surface of the lens ring but the original filters were/

are push on - I don't have any! - but the outer diameter of the lens ring (which is milled

for grip) is 42mm. The internal diameter for what its worth is 37.5mm. I use gels and tape!

Pretty basic but effective.

 

I have taken some great shots with this camera. The 6x9 format is just lovely. I would

caution against leaving film in it for any length of time between frames as the curl

becomes a problem. Also don't open the camera too vigorously as this draws the film and

can cause flatness problems. A little lube on the shutter release mechanism also helps. It

is very solid and reliable in my experience.

 

The contrast of the Xpres is pretty good but not up to today's standards of course. But for

all intents and purposes you never notice the difference. There is a look and feel which is,

well OK a bit retro but good to work with.

 

All the best with it. Enjoy the photography of the 50's with a camera that I could never

have afforded then in my youth but now cherish.

 

Geoff

[dan_fromm2]

Peter, not to rain on your or Steve's parade, but back when I was contemplating the great leap from 35 mm to 2x3 I bought an Ensign Selfix 820 with, yes, the famous 105/3.8 Xpres. I've shot it and it has earned a place in the closet, whence it never emerges.

 

My next step upwards was a very early 2x3 Pacemaker Speed Graphic with an uncoated 101/4.5 Ektar; camera made in 1947, lens in 1946. This combination produces better image quality than the Ensign and isn't that much larger or heavier. So it is what I use.

 

I've check the Ensign and its lens, the lens is in collimation. It is softer than the Ektar at infinity from f/8 to f/22, also at closer distances.

 

After I got the Ensign I mentioned it to the notorious Roger Hicks. He was politely scathing about it.

 

Cheers,

 

Dan

[helenbach]

I have an Autorange 820 with the same 105 mm lens, I think. It's sharp enough for me, though not bitingly sharp. I only print them to about 12 x 18.<p>

 

There are a couple of pictures taken with it<p>

 

<a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/5060201&size=lg">here</a> and<p>

 

<a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/5060201&size=lg">here</a><p>

 

and a lower resolution one, scanned from a print<p>

 

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/5633615-lg.jpg"><p>

 

Best,

Helen

[helenbach]

Oops,<p>

 

I posted two links to the same image.<p>

 

<a href="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/5060198-lg.jpg">Here is the second photo.</a>

[dan_fromm2]

Helen, please refresh my failing memory. Does your Autorange 820's lens have front element or unit focus? I ask because I vaguely recall reading about some version of the Autorange that focused by moving the film plane. FWIW, the Selfix 820 uses front element focusing.

 

Cheers,

 

Dan

[winfried_buechsenschuetz1]

No, it's not the Autorange which came with a moving film plane but rather the Ensign Commando in 6x6 format. These usually have the three-element Ensar lens.

 

To my opinion, concerning moving film-plane focussing, a Mamiya6 folder with F.C. (fully coated) Zuiko lens is the better choice.

[peter_evans4]

(Cough)

 

The Ensign Autorange (as well as the Commando) focuses by moving the film plane. Take a look at the link I posted above, and the links from that.

[Andrew in Austin]

<p>The Ensign Autorange 820 was unit focus.   So, it was probably a specially computed Xpres lens. (Please excuse the spelling of the lens)   The same is true on the Color Skopar on the Bessa II and the 75mm Solinar on the Super Isolette.</p>

 

<p>Manufacturers often used the same name on different lens formulations.   My favorite misnomered lens in when Zeiss-Ikon used a 10.5cm / 3.5 Rodenstock Trinar and called it a Novar.   It is one of the best triplets of the period.</p>

 

<p>I don't usually agree with Dan Fromm, but in truth many of these lenses were designed for the family snap shot size photo.   Some are better and some are worse.   Good is 10 to 20 lines per mm on a 6x9 folder.</p>

 

<p>Tips/Work Arounds on 6x9 folders.</p>

 

<ul>Keep your print size modest - I do 5 by 8 inch.</ul>

<ul>Open the camera before winding to the next frame.</ul>

<ul>Front cell focus lens resolution drops close in - use f/11</ul>

<ul>Use a Tripod for speeds slower than 1/100th</ul>

<ul>If you can - use a 5cm bright-line finder for 35mm</ul>

 

<p>After seven years of folder use, I still find it difficult to compose with most of the built-in finders.   Which is why I mentioned the 5 cm bright-line finder.   Also, a range finder, even if it is hand-held is not always a luxury with a 105mm lens.</p>

 

<p>Gloom and doom aside - For the same size B/W print from a 35mm fitted with a similar FOV lens, a print from a 6x9 folder still has greater tonality and in the case of the Bessa II comparable resolution.</p>

 

<p>I tend to keep my print size modest, mostly 5 by 8 - which is one half of an 8 by 10 inch print.   8 by 10 is doable, but you loose at least a half inch of the negative.</p>

 

<p>The thing is to have fun with the camera.   A Leica screw mount with a collapsible lens and 6x9 folder make for a nice a compact walk-about kit.</p>

[smw-jmw]

Many thanks to you all. The informtion you have provided has been very intersting and will be very helpful.

Kind Regards

Steve

[dave_powell2]

Interesting technique with the mirror, Helen!

 

Dave

[peter_evans4]

<p><em>Open the camera before winding to the next

frame.</em></p><p>NB Andrew is probably referring to the

<em>front</em> of the camera rather than the back....</p>

[John Seaman]

Having promised to come back with the filter details (42mm push on), I find it's already been covered fully by others. I'll just add that you can use it for 12 6 x6 pictures by closing the two flaps inside the camera, and using the red window marked 12 for film count.

[smw-jmw]

Thanks for taking the trouble of measuring for me John, much appreciated !

Steve

[peter_evans4]

So, Steve, is this a Selfix or an Autorange or something else?

[smw-jmw]

Hi Peter,

This is an Ensign Selfix 820 with the Xpres 105mm f3.8. It is not the rangefinder/autorange model. I should receive it sometime this week.

From what I have read, it seems to get good reviews, as always there will some who do not rate it, but then that seems to be the norm for just about every camera ever produced, including top of the range digital SLR's. The choice of old folders is huge and trying to find something that suits all needs seems just about impossible. I quite enjoy landscape work, so feel in the folders section the 6x9 may well suit my needs. I am looking forward to trying it out !

 

Regards Steve