The Ensign Selfix 820 is an English made, simple strut braced, self erecting folding roll film camera for 8 frames 6 x 9cm or 12, 6 x 6cm, the blanking off of the frame being effected by two hinged panels at the focal plane. The viewfinder needs to be released separately and the framing guides are reflected into the viewer. Construction is based around a die cast metal body with satin chrome plated pressings for the base plate and top housing. The front hatch is a steel tray pressed in one piece and hinged to the main body. Steel has also been used for the lens board uprights and board itself, The result is fairly weighty, but overall feels good in the hands. The shutter release and wind on are on the left side just to confuse you. An interlock is fitted to prevent unintentional double exposures, this being released after half a turn of the wind on, but the Epsilon shutter still needs to be cocked manually. A couple of traps await the user here... If you advance the film and forget to cock the shutter, the shutter button will go down far enough to engage the lock, but no photograph is taken. This isn't the end of the world entirely as the industrious user could set the shutter and then trip it with some deft finger work, being careful not to get those same deft fingers into the shot. The Epsilon shutter is fitted with a T setting, helpful one might think, except for that interlock again, the first press that opens the shutter also engages the interlock, preventing a second press from closing the shutter. Doh. The solution is to end the exposure by placing a hand over the lens and employing those now practiced deft fingers to trip the shutter closed. Or you could be a total professional and use a cable release. And finally, that Epsilon is a fussy fellow, be sure to align the shutter setting mark exactly against the desired speed, particularly at 1/250th, just two knurled indentations out of alignment and you will engage the T setting. Given that the setting ring is fairly lightly damped and the indicator mark miniscule, it easy to miss. But all told the camera is well made for an English camera of the period but rather a dead end as the 6 x 9cm format was out of favour.

This camera was donated in 1987, but with many problems - including a very recalcitrant Epsilon shutter. It was finally rebuilt in July 2002. Epsilon shutters are not as well made as Compurs, but are fairly easily repaired. The problem with this Epsilon turned out to be dirt (as ever) but mainly mushrooming of the shutter cocking lever at the point where it contacts the slow speed brake. These two levers connect with a certain amount of gusto when the shutter is fired at speeds longer than 25th sec. the result, over many exposures, is for the levers to develop a "hook" that causes them to stick. Owing to the design of the cam ring inside the shutter, DO NOT alter the shutter speed from 1/25th to 1/10th WITH THE SHUTTER COCKED, it will protest and although it can be forced - the strain on the cam follower will be severe.

Body No. E28884
Shutter,Epsilon, speeds T, B, 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 & 250th
Lens No.23261, Ross Xpres 105mm f/3.8
Condition, 5F

View other 6 x 9cm folding cameras in this collection.