Film cameras
Ensign Selfix 12-20 User manual
User manual for Ensign Selfix 12-20. 9 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
9 pagesEnglish5.9 MB PDF
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Document details
- Brand
- Ensign
- Model / document
- Ensign Selfix 12-20
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 9
- File size
- 5.9 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 1 · Read text
www.butkus.us
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BARNET ENSIGN ROSS LTD., LONDON, E.17View original page 1Page 4 · Read text
www.butkus.us
HOW TO USE YOUR NEW ENSIGN SELFIX 12.20
The Selfix 12-20 camera is de- by moving the spool pin knob about
signed to take twelve Ziin. (6 x 6 a quarter of a turn and see that the
cm.) square pictures on 120 or 620 pin engages the hole in the empty
roll film. After opening the camera spool.
back by releasing the catch as Before inserting the spool of new,
shown in Fig. 2, an empty spool film into the camera, the spool pin
of the correct type must be fitted on the opposite side of the camera
into the chamber below the film to the depth of field calculator
wind knob. When using a 120 film should be locked in the open posi-
it is essertial to employ an empty
120 take-up spool, which has a
thick inner core. Similarly with a
620 film, an empty 620 take-up
spool, which has a thin inner corc,
must be used. Never try to wind a
120 film on to a 620 snool or vice
versa.
I,OADING
If an empty spool of thc corrcct
type is not already in position,
press the spool pin from inside the
chamber urtil the knob on the out-
side ol the camera opposite the film
wind protrudes sufficiently from the
body for it to be turned and locked
in the open position. Then droP
the empty spool into thc takc-up Frc. 2. To open the camera back,
chamber, so that the slotted end en- slide the catch on the side of the
bygages the key of the film wind and body in the direction indicated the arrow and lift the projectingthe opposite end touches the base ol metal strip. Stendy the back as it
the chamber. Unlock the spool pin opens to auoid straining the hinge.View original page 4Page 5 · Read text
www.butkus that for inserting the empty take-up
.us spool, except that the spool is held
by a pin at each end.
When an empty spool and a full
spool of film have bcen fitted in
position as shown in Fig. 3, break
the gummed strip, which holds the
paper leader in place, and draw the
tapered end of the paper leader
straight across the back of the
camera. Insert the end in the widc
slot of the empty spool and givc thc
film wind knob one or two turns rn
the direction indicated by the arrow
to draw the paper taut (Fig. 4). It
is particularly important to see that
the paper leader runs straight
Fic. 3. After loading the film into between the spool flanges and anycemera, draw tlte tapered end of the paper leader across the back ol misalignment must be correctcd.
the body and inserl the end in the Loading should always be carried
cmpty spool on the opposite side. out in subducd lieht and ncvcr in
dircct sunlight.
tion, in the same way as thc spool
pin in the take-up chamber. It is
bctter not to break the gummed IMPOR.TANT
strip which holds the paper leader Finally, closc thc back of thc
I in position until after the new film camera and sce that it is lirmly
has bcen dropped into the chamber locked by the catch. I lIand the spool pin has been released, Before attempting to take a Pic-
but it is essential to ensure that the ture, uncover the ruby window in
tapercd end of tl-re paper leader the back of the camera by sliding
points towards the empty take-uP tl-re safety shield to one side by
spool as shown in Fig. 3. The means of the catch, and turn thc
action for loading tl-re spool of new film wind until first a warning hand
lilm into thc camcra is similar to and then the numbcr I appcars.View original page 5Page 6 · Read text
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Except when winding the film on the subjcct from the camera should
after each cxposure, the ruby win- be set against the knife edge of the
dow should bc covered by the metal indicator on the shutter plate.
safcty shield. This precaution is The depth of field calculator
cspccially important when using situated on the top of the camcra
panchromatic film. adjacent to thc Albada finder cn-
ables tl-re ncarest and farthest points PREPARATIONS FOR USE which will be in focus at any lens
When the camera opening catch aperture to be determined. [t is
is opcrated, the front will slide for- only necessary to set the distance
wards automatically and lock in on which the camera lens has been
tlrc ready position, at the same time i'ocused on the outer ring, whichI the Albada finder will spring opcn. is scaled in feet, opposite thc ccntrc
T-hc action of the camera front as index mark and to rcad ofI tl're
it is about to open and the Albada
finder coming into the ready posi-
tion is shown in Fig. 5. The
camera should be held in a vertical
nosition in order to facilitate this
action.
Thc rcquired lens aperture is set
by moving the levcr adjacent to thc
cursor across the aperturc scalc
platc.
The higher the aperture number
sclected, tl-re smaller the lens aper-
ture, and the longer the exposure
required. For example, if an expo-
sure of 1/100 sec. is given at f 13.5,
an cxposure of I /20 sec. would rc-
quirc to bc given at f/8 or 1/10 sec.
at f/l l. Frc. 4. As sc,on as tlte end of the
The lens focusing scale is marked ltaper leader hrts been fitted into the just wind the turn empty spool, film on thc front lens cell and the figure toul the draw t o sufficientll PaPer corrcsponding to tlrc distancc of bef ore closing the back of the ctmera.View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
For short timc exposures set the
shutter to B and move the setting
lever in the ordinary way. The
shutter leaves will open as the shut-
ter release is operated and close
again. immcdiately pressure is rc-
moveo.
For time exposures set the shutter
to T and move the setting lever as
before. The cable release supplied
www.butkus.us with the camera nlu.rt then bc
screwcd into the side of the shutter.
Frc. 5. Action picture sltowing how
the lens and shutter glide into the
ready position and the Albada finder
opens automatically -as. soon as thecornera opening catch is operated.
depth of field at the various apcr-
tures. For example, the depth of
field at 8 ft. using an aperture ol
l'lll \^,ill be 6 to l2 ft.
'fo set the shutter, which deter-
mines tl-re duration of exposure, it
is only necessary to rotale the
shutter speed sctting ring until the
required speed is opposite the red
index mark and to rnove the shutter
setting lever across the slot until it
stops. A tripod should always be Frc.6. View ol the Selfix 12-20used r.vhen giving exposures slower lens and shutter, showing the shut-
tl-ran 1/2,5 sec. and for operation in ter speed setting ring, cursor ond
the hand it is preferable to employ setting leuer. The control at the
releasesa shutter speed of 1/50 sec. or 1/100 toF Ieft of this illustration the shutter, while the other controlsec. if the dangers of camera movc- (toP right) opens the c'amera ancl
ment are 1o be avoided. Alb ad a ftnder simult ane ously.View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
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'l-lrc first prcssuro or1 thc releasc
plungcr will open the shuttcr (the
lcaves will remain open after the
plungcr is released) and the next
pressure will close the shutter
again. The camera should, of
course, be fitted on a tripod when
making a time exposure.
The shutter is coupled to thc film
wind mechanism in such a way that
after a picturc has been takcn an-
other exposure cannot bc made
until the film has been wound on to Frc. B. This is the best way to hold
the next picture. Il, therefore, the 'munxvour Selfix canlera to obtain maxi-
shulter release should appear to be st'eadiness lo, instantaneous crmert back The ol the shots.Iocked, the reason will cerlainly be pressed the against should be firmlythat the film requires to be wound lace, as shozan.
on to the next number.
refinements In order to simplify the use of unfamiliar with thc
anthis camera for those who are provided on the Selfix 12-20,
easy two-point focusing and lcns-
aperture system has been devised.
To makc use of this system, set
thc lens aperture cursor on the red
spot situated on the scale Platc
between tl11 and fl16 and rotatc
the lcns mount until thc red sPot
on the focusing scale is in lirrc witl-r
thc focus sctting indicator.
Undcr reasonably good lighting
conditions, this setting will enablc
good pictures to be taken onFrc. 7. Controls on the top of the medium speed films of all subjectsSelfix 12-20. Left to right, the filmu,ind, Albada finder and deptlz of situated at 15 ft. or more from the
field calculator. camera, Thc shutter speed must bcView original page 8Page 9 · Read text
in tl-ro ruby window. Opcn thc
camcra back, removc thc oxposcd
film as shown in Fig. 9, fastcn
down the end of the paper lcadcr
with the gummed paper strip pro-
vided and transfer thc empty spool
to the opposite spool chambcr. J'hc
camera should be closed as shown
in Fig. 10.
All Ensign camcras arc thor-
ougl-rly tested at every stage of pro-
duction and only pcrfect camcras
leave our factories. lf , howevcr,
your Selfix 12-20 camera should not
give you complete satisfaction, colt-
Frc. 9. After winding ofi the fi.lm sult your dealer who will be pleascd
as described in the text, the ex- to assist vou.posed roll is remoued lrom thecarnera by pressing the end of the
spool against thc spring stud to
release it.
dctcrmincd by thc prcvailing light-
ing conditions and the need to
rrrrcst movcment, but I /50 sec.
slrould bc rcasonably correct undcr
avcrage noonday sunlight. For best
rcsults thc use of Ensign film and
an exposure meter is recommended.
T'o obtain maximum steadiness
when the camera is held in the
Irand, thc Selfix 12-20 should be
hcld as shown in Fig. 8. Frc. 10. To close the camera af ler
After the last exposure has becn use it ts onll necesser2 to press on the centre of the tuo diagonalmade, wind the film on until the struts and to push the baseboard up
paper leader disappears from view until it locks.
l)rintcrl in lrntland.View original page 9From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.