Ensign Ranger 2 camera
Houghtons Ltd
Category
Photographic technology
Date
1948
Materials
Metal, Leatherette, Card, Glass, Plastic
Measurements
165 x 93 x 40 mm
Collection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1525537.1
Summary
Ensign Ranger II camera Ensign Ranger is the name of a series of 120 film vertical folding cameras made by Houghtons in England, under their Ensign brand. The Ranger has a similar body to the contemporary Selfix 8/20, but with a cheaper lens and shutter. The body has a folding frame finder. The top plate carries the film advance knob, and a similar knob on the feed spool and the finder; the shutter release is a small button set radially on the edge of the shutter block. The knobs lift to release the film spools. The original model was introduced c.1948 with a black crackle-finish body. The opening button is on the bottom plate. The 1951 Ensign Ranger II was restyled with chromed plates and leatherette covered front and back, larger knobs and a simplified design on the lens surround, and replaced the leather carrying handle with a plastic one. The opening button is moved to the top plate. The name is embossed in the leatherette, on the front above the bellows - instead of under the lens block. A cable release socket is fitted below the release button. The camera has two tripod sockets; one on the base, and another, filled with a threaded insert, on the folding front. Specifications Format: Ranger and Ranger II: eight exposures 2¼×3¼ inch (6×9 cm) on 120 film Shutter: Ensign Trikon; 1/25 - 1/100 plus B & T (Ranger and Ranger II) Lens: 105 mm f/6.3 Ensar Anastigmat, or f/3.8 Ross Xpres (Ranger II only) http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Ensign_Ranger There is a number on stamped onto the side of the camera - F2443
Provenance
Donated on 22/09/2017 to the Fox Talbot Museum by Tim Summerton.
Makers and roles
Houghtons Ltd, manufacturer