Vintage Plate Camera Identification

[PhoenixWrites]

Hi all, first time poster here.

I recently came into possession of a very old plate camera that I have thus far been entirely unable to identify. The lens is a Ross London F5.6 5.5in Homocentric lens but no camera listed as having this lens matches the body (that I have been able to find). It has some problems that I'd like to repair so I can use it, or at least have it in working order, as it is a beautiful piece. Any help in identifying it would be appreciated, especially if that came with diagrams or a manual so I can figure out and repair the issues. I have more photos of the camera from other angles if needed, they're just too large to put more than one image in a single post.

 

[Kino]

Photrio user @Ian Grant would probably be able to identify this camera for you, as he is an expert on British cameras.

 

[koraks]

I have more photos of the camera from other angles if needed, they're just too large to put more than one image in a single post.

Welcome to Photrio! That looks like a nice and interesting camera you've got there.

As to embedding photos: you can embed several photos on your posts, especially if they're as modestly sized as the one you've already posted. If you receive errors that the images are too big when trying to include photos, try resizing them to a more convenient size for web viewing. A long dimension of 800 pixels is usually more than sufficient. There are many apps you can use to resize images; which are suitable depends on which platform you're working on (Mac, Windows, Android etc.)

 

[Dustin McAmera]

More photos would help, especially of the other side, which should have the controls for the shutter.

 

[Dustin McAmera]

At first glance, the pattern of the rails, with that curved bracket part on the front board, looks like the rails on my Ensign Special Reflex: see here:

Ensign Reflex - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

Also the way the top opens with the hinge at the back.

However, yours doesn't have a lens cover/shade on the front; Aha: it used to have one. The lens-board is slid in upside-down: the little metal fitting at the top is the catch for the lens-cover. At the bottom of the board (the bottom as it is now), I think there should be some screw-holes where the cover used to be attached.

My camera also has a little metal plate that goes under the tightener for front rise, which isn't there on your camera.

My camera's quarter-plate: I would say yours looks smaller. Do you know the size?

I wouldn't be too worried by the identity of the lens; they are screw-fit, and there's been a while for someone to change it.

Regarding making it work, I think the big worry is the condition of the shutter cloth. Then the bellows. Then the mirror.

 

[Dustin McAmera]

I see the Camera-wiki page has links to some notes about the Ensign shutter at 'Early Photography' and something at Jo Lommen. Not sure I'd want to undertake any major work with only those to help me.

There's also a link to Frank Hurley's (probably older; Frank Hurley went with Shackleton in 1915 - and much bigger - half-plate) Ensign Reflex B (they have it on its side) at the Imperial War Museum. It has an f/5.6 Homocentric.

 

[JPD]

The Homocentric is an excellent lens. It's a four element/four group double-Gauss lens, and the name refers to the symmetry of the design.

 

[awty]

Nice SLR.
I have similar and use all the time. The shutters are pretty easy to work on. If you can get the correct plate holder, you can cut film to suit....well that's what I do.

 

[Ian Grant]

Needs photos of the other side with the shutter controls. There were a surprising number of companies making SLRs here in the UK.

Ian

 

[PhoenixWrites]

Hi all, first time poster here.

I recently came into possession of a very old plate camera that I have thus far been entirely unable to identify. The lens is a Ross London F5.6 5.5in Homocentric lens but no camera listed as having this lens matches the body (that I have been able to find). It has some problems that I'd like to repair so I can use it, or at least have it in working order, as it is a beautiful piece. Any help in identifying it would be appreciated, especially if that came with diagrams or a manual so I can figure out and repair the issues. I have more photos of the camera from other angles if needed, they're just too large to put more than one image in a single post.
View attachment 382889

 

[PhoenixWrites]

More photos would help, especially of the other side, which should have the controls for the shutter.

just added some more angles in the replies, including one of the shutter

 

[PhoenixWrites]

Nice SLR.
I have similar and use all the time. The shutters are pretty easy to work on. If you can get the correct plate holder, you can cut film to suit....well that's what I do.

Oh that's awesome, are there any guides or tutorials you'd recommend for stuff like that?

 

[PhoenixWrites]

Needs photos of the other side with the shutter controls. There were a surprising number of companies making SLRs here in the UK.

Ian

Just added thanks for taking the time

 

[Dustin McAmera]

I'm confident it's an Ensign Reflex, and I'd put a small amount of money on it being an Ensign Special Reflex. Not even the other Ensign models (the Pressman Reflex - an old Butcher model I think, and the De Luxe) have that front end on the focus rails.

Here's a search of the Camera-wiki pool at Flickr for the camera:

Flickr Search — “"Ensign Special Reflex"”

www.flickr.com

It looks smaller than mine, so I think it's for 2½x3½-inch (6.5x9cm). Your best bet is to be lucky and find a 120 roll film holder for it. I have five (more or less) reliable quarter-plate holders, one I don't trust so much, and a 120 roll holder, which works well enough. It's a blast using it, but (as a fairly buttoned-up kind of person) I get approached more than I like by curious passers by. I have a small stock of Adox quarter-plate film, which isn't stocked any more. Fotoimpex seems to have Fomapan 100 in 6.5x9 size at the moment.

Pacific Rim Camera has some Ensign catalogues: https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/RlEnsignMisc.htm
(they're biggish PDFs). In particular, see pages 40-41 of the 1930 catalogue.

 

[PhoenixWrites]

I'm confident it's an Ensign Reflex, and I'd put a small amount of money on it being an Ensign Special Reflex. Not even the other Ensign models (the Pressman Reflex - an old Butcher model I think, and the De Luxe) have that front end on the focus rails.

Here's a search of the Camera-wiki pool at Flickr for the camera:

Flickr Search — “"Ensign Special Reflex"”

www.flickr.com

It looks smaller than mine, so I think it's for 2½x3½-inch (6.5x9cm). Your best bet is to be lucky and find a 120 roll film holder for it. I have five (more or less) reliable quarter-plate holders, one I don't trust so much, and a 120 roll holder, which works well enough. It's a blast using it, but (as a fairly buttoned-up kind of person) I get approached more than I like by curious passers by. I have a small stock of Adox quarter-plate film, which isn't stocked any more. Fotoimpex seems to have Fomapan 100 in 6.5x9 size at the moment.

Pacific Rim Camera has some Ensign catalogues: https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/RlEnsignMisc.htm
(they're biggish PDFs). In particular, see pages 40-41 of the 1930 catalogue.

Oh wow that's super helpful I'll check those out when I get home. Thanks so much

 

[awty]

Replacing shutter blinds (and probably more) on a Thornton Pickard Ruby Deluxe 1/4 plate

I'm feeling a bit lost in this restoration today. There are lots of resources here but I lose track of the threads. Could an experienced forum user direct me to a current post with live links please? (sorry to sound whiney) My Thornton Pickard Ruby Deluxe (Quarter plate) is back in pieces for...

www.photrio.com

 

[awty]

 

[achiii]

Here is my Ensign Special Reflex. Hood was really rotted, but I rebuilt it (saving/reusing the front and rear) and a little work got the shutter working smoothly and now I have taken some lovely photos with it (with adapted 120 holder). I also have a bunch of plate holders, and have shot paper negs in the holders.

 

[koraks]

Welcome aboard @achiii !
That portrait is magnificent in many ways. Look at how that lens renders; it's beautiful.

 

[achiii]

Thank you!

Lurking for a long time, weird that Ive never posted.

 

[koraks]

Thank you!

Lurking for a long time, weird that Ive never posted.

Now that you've gotten started, feel free to accelerate!

 

[Istreed]

Hello. Some time ago I bought an Ensign Special Reflex exactly like the one in the album from the link.


G3K42219 by Mirek K., on Flickr

Ensign Special Reflex

1930

flic.kr

I am slowly restoring it. Unfortunately, in my camera the plate with the time list in the knob is missing and probably some kind of spring under it.
All I have left is the black knob and the screw.


20250209_133605 by Mirek K., on Flickr

20250209_133622 by Mirek K., on Flickr

Could someone show me in photos what the spring that is under this plate looks like, and make me (preferably a scan on a photocopier or scanner) of the removed plate? Like that one https://www.leitz-auction.com/media/f1/88/38/1705337977/11403_4.jpg
Otherwise it will be hard for me to recreate it.