Sticking to one brand.

[Ian Grant]

I realised recently that I'd almost got a complete system, cameras, enlarger, and ancillary equipment from one company. The company might surprise you Houghton (Ensign).

Cameras include 1/4 plate and Whole plate Victo's,, a Half plate Duchess, a 6x9 SLR, a Quarter plate Ensign Single lens Reflex (re-badged as a Dallmeyer Press), an Ensign 420 and an Autorange 820 both with Xpres lenses, a Houghton King enlarger, 3 Ensign safelights, 2 NIB - one takes a candle, Barnet Pastella warmtone paper.

So essentially a pre-1920 setup with an SLR from the 30's and two 6x9 folders ft=rom the late 40's to early 60's. All still easily useable once I've made bellows for the enlarger and one camera. I wonder if the same will apply to modern equipment.

Ian

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Pictures, please!

 

[Ian Grant]

where to start !

The Quarter plate Victo which was my second restoration . . . . .

I have quarter plate book-form plate holders and film inserts as well as EFKE (Adox) PL 100 Quarter plate film, aand made an adapter to use a Graflex RH10 6x7 Roll film back.

The Houghton Duchess half plate camera first with an 8"x5" Wray f8 RR lens and Thornton Pickard shutter.

Then the same camera with a Carl Zeiss Jena 165mm Tessar in a Compur shutter made in 1913 (the shutter is still smooth still & accurate).

The Houghton Butcher - Ensign Speed Film Reflex is part restored, the s shutter needs adjusting, I have a spare Aldis Butcher lens for it.

I have Barnet Plates,

as well as paper. Houghton's headquarters was destroyed in the war and the company liquidated, after the war the camera manufacturing side merged with Elliott & Sons to form Barnet Ensign and soon after merged with Ross to become Ross Ensign.

and an early pre-WWII light meter which surprisingly is accurate.

I have photos of some of other equipment which I'd need to search for, but it will all come together soon.

Ian

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Well, they look wonderful, and so evocative... I can't wait to see what develops, so to speak. I'd love to explore this type of photography.

 

[Pete Askew]

Lovely stuff, Ian. How's the darkroom coming on?

 

[Ian Grant]

The darkroom is 98% complete, I used it last weekend, just needs the water supply put through the wall and the drainage finished, the last electrics connected and the blackout curtains.

Ian

 

[Pete Askew]

You'll have to give us a virtual tour when it's done!

 

[Ian Grant]

I will Pete, I've photographed it at various stages and of course Jon Bentley shot me in it for an AP article before Christmas.

Ian