Multex - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Multex

Model II

1937

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Image of Multex Model II

Lens:
f2.9, 53 mm Ross Xpres, iris diaphragm to f22. Serial no. 140085 (c. 1939).

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 1/2 - 1/1000, T.

Construction:
Leather covered metal body.

Format:
14, 1 ⅝" x 1 ¼" exposures on 127 roll-film.

Focusing:
Helical to 21".

Attributes:
Coupled rangefinder, swing mirror type. Direct-vision (lens/lens) view-finder.
Red window to load film. Exposure counter. Film advance coupled to shutter.

Serial Number:
H21418 .

Multex

Model II

1937

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Image of Multex Model II

Lens:
f3.5, 50 mm Multar, iris diaphragm to f16. Serial no. 140526 .

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 1/2 - 1/1000, T.

Construction:
Leather covered metal body.

Format:
14, 1 ⅝" x 1 ¼" exposures on 127 roll-film.

Focusing:
Helical to 21".

Attributes:
Coupled rangefinder, swing mirror type. Direct-vision (lens/lens) view-finder.
Red window to load film. Exposure counter. Film advance coupled to shutter.

Serial Number:
H21877 .

With:
Ever-ready case. Lens cap.

The model I appeared in 1936 with a black finish to the body, an open view-finder and speeds up to 1/500. The following year the model II appeared, the body was now finished in satin chrome, the finder enclosed and the top speed raised to 1//1000. An f3.5 Ensar was generally fitted to the model I, Xpres and Tessar models were also advertised. The model II had a choice of lenses:

  • f3.5 Ensar.
  • f2.9 Ross Xpres.
  • f1.9 Ross Xpres.
  • f2.8 Zeiss Tessar.
  • f2 Zeiss Sonnar.

The camera did not prove very popular. The cheapest model was priced at £19.10.0 with a Multar, which was expensive. Advertisements stressed the ease of loading, the large images and the short film length when compared to 35 mm cameras.

References & Notes:
BJA 1937, p. 61. BJA 1938, pp. 66, 294. Ensign Cat. 1936, p. 16. Ensign Cat. 1937, p. 40.

Illustrations:
A model in a box is shown in Christie's Cat. 11/12/2002, 11.


Company Details:

Houghton-Butcher

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