Rollfilms for Ensignette?

Marco Gilardetti · May 27, 2024

I am struggling to understand which rollfilms were used in Ensignette folding cameras. These are often marked as Ensign E1 rollfilm, or Ensign E2 rollfilm for later models. On a comparison table, of which I ignore the reliability, these are said to be corresponding to 128 and 129 rollfilm types respectively. All of these formats are marked as discontinued since the '40s at the latest.

Since lately there is some sort of renaissance of interest in many "vintage" things, I was wondering if perhaps someone knows if some batches of these formats were re-issued (or re-rolled) by anyone and can be purchased.

Ian Grant · May 27, 2024

There's a member shooting with Ensignettes, I think she told me she cuts down 120 film.

If you want a larger copy of this 1911 BJP Almanac adverts PM your email address. The scan is 75mb but is easy to downsize.

I have an Alliance Roll Film Camera Co. Ltd 110 camera I'd like film for, it takes 5"x4" negatives on a cartridge roll film. The company only existed between 1902-4 however the cameras continued to be made by Houghton's and carried the Ensign name.

Ian

BrianShaw · May 27, 2024

That's a very itnersting camera and would be lots of fun to use! For most of the old/proprietary film sizes it is often best to adapt to modern options, if possilbe. There is more of a market in 3-d printed adapters than in re-issuance of old film stocks. This may or may not be the correct film adapter for your application but is an example:

128 to 35mm Bulk Film 1 Spool Adapter Ensignette No 1 #1 Kodak Ensign E1 1½ x2¼ | eBay

In a film bag hand spool fresh 35mm film onto the adapter spool. A bit of tape may be useful to hold it in place. The Insignette has a film door on the back. Do not open this door as it will expose the film.

www.ebay.com

Digital Wendy · May 27, 2024

Hello Marco,
@Ian Grant is correct. I cut down and respool 120 film to use in an Ensign Midget camera. The Midget takes 35mm wide film but I prefer not to see sprocket holes on the larger negatives produced by the Midget so I cut down 120 film. This also gives me a supply of backing paper which the camera needs in order to work properly.
I believe your Ensignette - which is a different camera - takes a wider film size. In fact it seems the different models take different sizes. Have attached an advert from Flickr. You will see that the 2 models of Ensignette create different sized negatives, and presumably took different sizes of film.
I don't have an Ensignette right now so I can't compare the sizes, but the convertor linked above looks like a very good starting point. Just remember to cover the red window unless you also include some backing paper. (I have used other adaptors from that Ebay seller, Bid-With. The adaptors arrived safely and are excellent quality).
Cutting roll film down to size is not difficult. However, finding extra take-up spools for these little cameras can be much, much harder.
I began this adventure using guidance from ArtDecoCameras.com He has a list of formats that, sadly, does not include the Kodak 128 E1/E2 format. http://artdecocameras.com/film/film-format/. His respooling instructions are excellent.

Cut 120 film to 127 size | Art Deco Cameras

artdecocameras.com

If your cameras come with spools you can measure these for a definative answer to the correct size. Cutting film to fit will then not be difficult.
I can't offer to cut down and respool film for you as I doubt it would reach Italy without exposure to xrays, or worse .
Good luck with project. They are fun little cameras to have in your pocket!

Romanko · May 28, 2024

Marco Gilardetti said:
these are said to be corresponding to 128 and 129 rollfilm types respectively.

This seems correct.

Marco Gilardetti said:
if some batches of these formats were re-issued (or re-rolled) by anyone and can be purchased.

Not by Kodak or major manufacturers. Your best option as others suggested is to find the spools and the backing paper and slice 120 type film. The process is the same as for 127 type film. There is a lot of information on how to achieve it. You can make the backing paper out of type 120 and add the frame numbers at the required distances.
Do you have the spools and the backing paper?

Marco Gilardetti · May 28, 2024

Thank you so much for these highly informative replies, I couldn't figure that this thread could rise so much interest and commitment! Thanks especially to Wendy for chiming in! Unfortunately for some reason the flickr image you posted is not displayed over here...

The camera is not really mine, but of a fellow photographer that I'm trying to help. I'm attaching some pictures, please excuse the low quality but he passed them to me by whatsapp. It seems that there is one spool left (better than nothing) which width is approximately 4,2 centimeters (which maybe converts to 1 - 21/32 ''). Does anybody know if this corresponds to the E1 (128) or E2 (129) format perhaps?

Romanko · May 28, 2024

This would be E1 / type 128 with the nominal frame height of 1.5 inch.
The length of type 128 frame (2.25 inch) is the same as the width of type 120. You might be able to block the red window and cut 1.5 inch wide pieces from 120 type film and load it into the camera. You will have a single shot sheet-film camera. You can then develop the film in a standard tank on type 120 reel.

Marco Gilardetti · May 29, 2024

Thank you, that might be an alternative idea.

Wendy, may I ask you how you manage to develop the cut-to-size rollfilms that you use? It just came to my mind that a cut-to-size film will most likely not fit the spiral of the tank.

Digital Wendy · May 29, 2024

Marco Gilardetti said:
Thank you, that might be an alternative idea.

Wendy, may I ask you how you manage to develop the cut-to-size rollfilms that you use? It just came to my mind that a cut-to-size film will most likely not fit the spiral of the tank.

Glad to see you have a spool.
As the E1 size film for the midget is 35mm wide it fits nicely into into a regular 35mm reel for a daylight developing tank. Only 6 images on each reel of film so loading is not difficult The film gets VERY curly when it's been wound onto the tiny little spool. Means it's a bit like a spring when it comes out of the camera so it stays in place in the reel quite safely.

42mm film could be more of a challenge so I do think the 35mm film adaptors might be a good starting point.

Has your friend checked the camera bellows for light leaks and basic shutter operation? I would usually do this before beginning to cut down and respool film.

Digital Wendy · May 29, 2024

And more . . .
I have ironing that needs doing this evening, so naturally I have just gone and dug out my old developing tanks to see what sizes of film they can be used for.
Looks to me as if 42mm wide film will be too loose in a modern Paterson reel. It has a setting for 127 film but it looks a bit too wide to me.
My embarrasingly old Nebro tank has a setting for Kodak VP (Vest Pocket) film that looks as if it might work to hold 42mm film.
So they you are. If you can solve the other problems you just need to find another photographic hoader who has not yet thrown away their impossibly old developing tank.
I think I know where you should look .

MattKing · May 29, 2024

I'd bet that the 127 size aprons in a Kodak apron tank would do in a pinch.

BrianShaw · May 29, 2024

Aprons are a great solution. It's a shame they were sometimes dispaaged as being "amateur" as they are very effective, and its a shame they are not made today (or are they?).

I might be a bit lost in the thread, but isn't Ensign E1 (AKA 128) basically 135 width, in which case there must have been a 35mm apron. Or is the similarity just the frame size?

Romanko · May 29, 2024

BrianShaw said:
I might be a bit lost in the thread, but isn't Ensign E1 (AKA 128) basically 135 width, in which case there must have been a 35mm apron. Or is the similarity just the frame size?

The film is wider than type 135 but narrower than type 127.

BrianShaw · May 29, 2024

Thanks for the clarification. I somehow missed that very critical point.

Donald Qualls · May 30, 2024

MattKing said:
aprons

This is probably the best answer, unless you plan/expect to shoot that Ensignette enough to want to permanently modify a Paterson reel. FWIW, I've recut 120 to 127 many times, and with the paper leader and tail trimmed to match 127 length, I can get a full 120-length roll onto a 127 spool. That may or may not be possible on the E2, if the spool was so small to only get 6 frames originally...

BAC1967 · May 30, 2024

Mine takes 129 roll film. I think I cut down some sheet film to use it once. Someone started to modify it for 127, but that was a bit of a mess. I tinkered with it to make that work without success.

Ensignette No.2 C De Luxe by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Romanko · May 31, 2024

BAC1967 said:
Mine takes 129 roll film. I think I cut down some sheet film to use it once.

What is that knob/button above "Made by Houghtons Ltd England"? The OP's camera does not have it.
Do you have any photos taken with this Ensignette?

BAC1967 · Jun 1, 2024

Romanko said:
What is that knob/button above "Made by Houghtons Ltd England"? The OP's camera does not have it.
Do you have any photos taken with this Ensignette?

That’s the focus, it moves the lens in and out by sliding it. I know I took at least one photo with it but I‘ll have to do some searching to find it, it was just a test shot.

Rollfilms for Ensignette?

Marco Gilardetti

Ian Grant

BrianShaw

128 to 35mm Bulk Film 1 Spool Adapter Ensignette No 1 #1 Kodak Ensign E1 1½ x2¼ | eBay

Digital Wendy

Cut 120 film to 127 size | Art Deco Cameras

Attachments

Romanko

Marco Gilardetti

Attachments

Romanko

Marco Gilardetti

Digital Wendy

Digital Wendy

MattKing

Moderator

BrianShaw

Romanko

BrianShaw

Donald Qualls

BAC1967

Romanko

BAC1967

Rollfilms for Ensignette?

Attachments

Attachments

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency