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The Ensign Camera No. E29

Instructions for use

The E29 Ensign is a compact and simple camera constructed to take daylight loading Roll films, size 3 × 2, six exposures, No. E29, and you should always ask for Ensign Films to ensure the best results. All dealers stock them.

Before loading the camera with the spool of film, read these instructions and make sure you understand each point, then you will be more likely to have successful results.

In the centre of the front is the Lens which takes the picture, covered by the Shutter, which is worked by a Release lever at the side with its edge notched to give a good grip. This lever works up and down, and each time it is moved (either up or down), it opens and closes the lens for a Snapshot exposure, in 1/30th of a second: this is the best all-round speed for out-of-doors snaps, not too near the camera.

If you want a group of people rather near the camera, and if the position your subject is in is a shady one, or if the weather is dull, you will have to give a Time exposure, and the camera must be resting firmly on something solid, for you cannot hold it still enough. For this you draw out the small metal tongue above the release lever, and you, will find that the lever has to be pressed twice, once to open it and once to close it. (It does not matter if the first is up or down, but you must work it twice). After using the Time Control, push it in again and the Shutter will be ready for Snapshots again. Try both of these several times to make quite certain that you understand their action clearly.

Above the centre lens you will see the two lenses for the View finders. One of these gives its picture on the top glass, and is for upright views, the other is on the side and when you use it you turn the camera over sideways so that this finder is on the top and then you will get horizontal (or oblong) pictures.

The nearest distance at which you can get the pictures sharp is about 10 feet away. If you want pictures larger than this distance gives, (or close-ups) it will be necessary to get a Portrait Magnifier which will have the correct distance marked on it, but the camera is set to take anything at 10 feet or more, and the size in the view finder is a fairly good guide as to how far you need to be for the larger subjects such as houses or ships.

At the side of the Back door of the camera is the Winder, and just below this is the Spring Catch holding the door closed. Lift the point of this spring off the stud and open the door: now you will see the empty spool in the top Spool Chamber, on a spring clip, and turned by the winder which is engaged with the slot cut in one end of the spool. The bottom spool chamber is empty.

Ensign E29 After removing the packing cards, and the E29 Spool, load the camera (in daylight) as follows. Break the paper label around the film, but do not let it go slack, or light will get in and spoil it. Put the roll in the bottom spool chamber with the pointed end of the red paper towards the top chamber, and while still keeping the roll tight with the fingers, unroll enough paper to go across the camera and put the end through the cut in the empty spool (one side of this cut is longer than the other, and the paper should go in the longer side).

Now give the winder one or two turns to see if the paper fits nicely between the ends of the pool, and then close the door: it must not be opened again until the roll is finished or they will all be spoiled.

After the door is closed, keep on winding while you watch the paper passing the red window in the centre of the door, and after about 10 or 12 turns a row of dots and a hand pointing will appear, to warn you to be ready: Soon No. 1 will show, and the first picture can be taken: choose the point of view, and, in general, see that the sun does not shine into the camera but on the subject: "place" it in the view finder, hold the camera very steady, and press the release lever quietly, so that the camera is not shaken or else you will spoil the picture.

Immediately after taking a picture, wind the film on to the next number, so that you are always ready and never in doubt as to whether it has been done or not.

When the six are all exposed, wind on for about 10 or 12 turns until you see the end of the paper pass the window, then it will be safe to open the back door, finish winding, pull the winder outwards to allow the film to rise out of the chamber, and stick the "exposed" label round the film, being very careful to hold it between the fingers to prevent the roll getting loose, because if light gets in between the ends of the spool and the protecting paper, the film may be spoilt. Next put the empty spool from the bottom chamber up into the top, slotted end towards winder, push in the winder, and the camera is ready for re-loading.

Note - A film may be fogged in 1/1000th of a second, therefore do your loading indoors if you can, or at least in shadow and not in bright sunlight.

Never open the back door after you have commenced to wind, until the film is finished.

Don't look at the film "to see the pictures" after you have exposed it. There is nothing to he seen until it is developed, and this must be done in the dark-room.

All Standard Makes of film fit this Camera but for the best results always ask for ENSIGN FILM NO. E29


DO'S and DONT'S

For ENSIGN CAMERA No. E29

Some hints to help you
to get good pictures always.

ALWAYS ASK FOR ENSIGN FILM No. E29.