Ensign Midget

Model 33

1934

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Lens:

c. 53 mm 'All Distance' meniscus. 2 apertures on sector.

Shutter:

Pivoted two-blade return, spring powered, speeds 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, B, T.

Construction:

Metal body, leather bellows.

Format:

6, 1 ¼" x 1 ⅝" exposures on paper-backed roll-film, size E10.

Focusing:

Fixed.

Attributes:

Frame finder, brilliant view-finder on pivot for landscape or portrait.
Film advance by red window, not coupled to shutter.

With:

Pouch. 2 spools.
Empty box of E10 film. 1939.

Ensign Midget

Model 22

c. 1935

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Lens:

c. 53 mm 'All Distance' meniscus. Fixed aperture.

Shutter:

Spring powered, sector T and I (1/25) settings, second blade for capping.

Construction:

Metal body, leather bellows.

Format:

6, 1 ¼" x 1 ⅝" exposures on paper-backed roll-film, size E10.

Focusing:

Fixed.

Attributes:

Frame finder without post.
Film advance by red window, not coupled to shutter.

With:

Pouch. 2 spools.
Roll of exposed film in early tin.
Developing Tank.

Ensign Midget

Model 55

1934

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Lens:

f6.3, c. 53 mm Ensar. Iris diaphragm to f22.

Shutter:

Pivoted two-blade return, spring powered, speeds 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, B, T.

Construction:

Metal body, leather bellows.

Format:

6, 1 ¼" x 1 ⅝" exposures on paper-backed roll-film, size E10.

Focusing:

Front-cell focusing to 3 feet.

Attributes:

Frame finder, brilliant view-finder on pivot for landscape or portrait.
Film advance by red window, not coupled to shutter.

With:

Pouch. Spool.
Two rolls of film in tin case by 'Barnet Ensign'. Magenta/green livery. Dated 1952.
Roll of Ultrachrome EC10 film in box by 'Barnet Ensign Ross'. Magenta/green livery, Dated 1953.
Developing Tank.
Electric Contact Printer. For printing single frames of film. Box.
Midget Daylight Enlarger. For printing on to 2 ½" x 3 ½" paper.

Ensign Midget

Model 22

c. 1935

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Lens:

c. 53 mm 'All Distance' meniscus. Fixed aperture.

Shutter:

Spring powered, sector T and I (1/25) settings, second blade for capping.

Construction:

Metal body, leather bellows.

Format:

6, 1 ¼" x 1 ⅝" exposures on paper-backed roll-film, size E10.

Focusing:

Fixed.

Attributes:

Frame finder without post.
Film advance by red window, not coupled to shutter.

With:

Pouch.
Four rolls of film in two tins by 'Barnet Ensign'. Magenta/green livery. Dated 1952.
Two rolls of Ultrachrome EC10 film in box, dated 1953.

Silver Midget

Model S/55

1935

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Lens:

f6.3, c. 53 mm Ensar. Iris diaphragm to f22.

Shutter:

Pivoted two-blade return, spring powered, speeds 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, B, T.

Construction:

Metal body, leather bellows.

Format:

6, 1 ¼" x 1 ⅝" exposures on paper-backed roll-film, size E10.

Focusing:

Front-cell focusing to 3 feet.

Attributes:

Frame finder, brilliant view-finder on pivot for landscape or portrait.
Film advance by red window, not coupled to shutter.

With:

Presentation box.
Instruction book. 'Ensign Midget Service and Accessories' - booklet. Guarantee.
Grey pouch.
Empty film tin, early type. Spool.

Silver Midget

Model S/33

1935

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Lens:

c. 53 mm 'All Distance' meniscus. 2 apertures on sector.

Shutter:

Pivoted two-blade return, spring powered, speeds 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, B, T.

Construction:

Metal body, leather bellows.

Format:

6, 1 ¼" x 1 ⅝" exposures on paper-backed roll-film, size E10.

Focusing:

Fixed.

Attributes:

Frame finder, brilliant view-finder on pivot for landscape or portrait.
Film advance by red window, not coupled to shutter.

With:

Instruction book. Presentation box.
2 rolls of film in early tin, 1 labelled Ultrachrome.
Grey pouch.

The Midget was designed by Magnus Nièll and was similar to the earlier Ensignette. It sold in large numbers especially the Model 33. Advertisements emphasised the small size of the camera suggesting that it could always be carried in a pocket or handbag.

A silver painted version was produced in 1935 for the Jubilee in both the 33 and 55 specifications these came in a presentation box. Later adverts list only the s/33 model.

The camera was sold at the following prices: model 22 - 22/-; model 33, originally called the A/d - 33/-; model 55, originally called the A/N - 55/-. When introduced the price of the 33 was 30/- and the 55, 50/-. The developing tank cost 12/6.

Accessories included:

Electric enlarging printer.
Midget Daylight Enlarger. Two models were produced one in wood and one in cardboard.
Electric Contact Printer.
Developing tank.
Developing & printing outfit.
Printing frame.
Albums.
Developing dish.
Outfit case.
Colour filter (model 55).
Tripod attachment.
Cable release.

References & Notes:

BP 15568/1934. BP 117399/1917. BJA 1935, pp. 83, 280. BJA 1936, p. 76. BJA 1938, p. 68. Ensign Cat. 1934, p. 11. Ensign Cat. 1936, p. 10. Photography by Ensign, (c. 1935), p. 6.

Company Details:

Houghton-Butcher

Early Photography

Ensign Midget

Model 33

1934

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Lens:

Shutter:

Construction:

Format:

Focusing:

Attributes:

With:

Ensign Midget

Model 22

c. 1935

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Lens:

Shutter:

Construction:

Format:

Focusing:

Attributes:

With:

Ensign Midget

Model 55

1934

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Lens:

Shutter:

Construction:

Format:

Focusing:

Attributes:

With:

Ensign Midget

Model 22

c. 1935

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Lens:

Shutter:

Construction:

Format:

Focusing:

Attributes:

With:

Silver Midget

Model S/55

1935

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Lens:

Shutter:

Construction:

Format:

Focusing:

Attributes:

With:

Silver Midget

Model S/33

1935

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Lens:

Shutter:

Construction:

Format:

Focusing:

Attributes:

With:

References & Notes: