Autorange - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Autorange

1934

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Image of Autorange

Lens:
f4.5, 100 mm Ensar Anastigmat, iris diaphragm to f32.

Shutter:
Rim-set Compur, speeds 1 - 1/250, B, T. Delayed action. Serial no. 2986785.

Construction:
Leather covered metal body, leather bellows.

Format:
8, 6 x 9 cm exposures on E20 (120) roll-film.

Focusing:
Bellows to 3 feet.

Attributes:
Coupled rangefinder, double image. Brilliant and frame view-finders.
Film advance indicated by red window. Not coupled.
Radial focusing lever on front bed.

Movements:
Rise and cross front.

Serial Number:
H808 .

Autorange

Model of 1935

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Image of Autorange Model of 1935

Lens:
f4.5, 100 mm Ensar Anastigmat, iris diaphragm to f32.

Shutter:
Prontor II, speeds 1 - 1/150, B, T. Delayed action.

Construction:
Leather covered metal body, leather bellows.

Format:
8, 6 x 9 cm exposures on E20 (120) roll-film.

Focusing:
Bellows to 3 feet.

Attributes:
Coupled rangefinder, double image. Brilliant, direct-vision (lens/lens) and frame view-finders.
Film advance indicated by red window. Not coupled.
Radial focusing lever on front bed.

Movements:
Rise and cross front.

Serial Number:
H23056 .

Autorange - 20

1937

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Image of Autorange - 20

Lens:
f4.5, 100 mm Ensar Anastigmat, iris diaphragm to f32. Serial no. 131643 .

Shutter:
Rim-set Compur, speeds 1 - 1/250, B, T. Delayed action. Serial no. 3427303.

Construction:
Leather covered metal body, leather bellows.

Format:
8, 6 x 9 cm or 16, 6 x 4.5 cm exposures on E20 (120) roll-film.

Focusing:
Bellows to 3 feet.

Attributes:
Coupled rangefinder, double image. Brilliant and direct-vision (lens/lens) view-finder.
Film advance indicated by red window. Not coupled.
Radial focusing lever on front bed.

Movements:
Rise and cross front.

Serial Number:
H25219 .

The Autorange was produced in several models:

  • 1934 - This model was for 6 x 9 cm exposures only, it had a wire frame finder as well as a brilliant finder. The rangefinder had rounded ends and there was no direct-vision view-finder. Lenses: Ensar; Aldis Uno; Xpres or Tessar, all working at f4.5. All lenses were available in a Compur shutter the Ensar was also available fitted in a Trichro or Mulchro shutter.
  • 1935 - The rangefinder housing now had square windows and a direct-vision view-finder. The same lenses as previously were available. A Prontor shutter was additionally added for the Ensar lens, and a Compur Rapid was available for all lenses. A model with an f3.8 Tessar in a Compur Rapid was advertised as the 'Super Speed'.
  • Focal Plane, 1935 - Same lenses as for the 1935 model but with a focal-plane shutter.
  • Autorange-20, 1937 - Dual format 6 x 9 cm and 6 x 4.5 cm. There was no frame finder. Same lenses and shutters as the 1935 model.

The camera with its pull-out front looks very dated for the mid 1930s, the Autorange 220 introduced in 1937 has a much more modern look.

References & Notes:
BP 415770/1933 (rangefinder). BP 345719/1930 (back catch). Ensign Cat. 1934, p. 22. Ensign Cat. 1936, p. 31. Ensign Cat. 1937, p. 21. BJA 1935, p. 85. BJA 1936, pp. 78, 294. BJA 1937, p. 60. AP 21/7/1937, p. 50. DRGM 1150595.


Company Details:

Houghton-Butcher

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