The "J. B. Ensign" is a simple
daylight-loading Camera for 31/4 x 21/4 pictures.
It is constructed for use with
"Ensign-Speedy" Roll Films. Each Spool of Film takes six
pictures.
Before loading with a Spool of Film
examine the Camera inside and out, place it on a table in
front of you.
In the centre of the front you will
see the Lens through which the light passes to make an
image on the Film.
Two View-Finders are fitted for
upright and horizontal pictures. Be careful to allow your
subject plenty of room in the Finder. If the light is
very bright shade the Finder with your hand, but do not
cover the Lens of the Finder.
On the side of the Camera are two
bright metal projections, the top one is the Time
Exposure Indicator and the other is the Exposing
Lever.
Examine the Exposing Lever - it
moves to and fro. One movement up (or down as the case
may be) as far as it will go releases the Shutter for
instantaneous exposures.
For Time Exposures insert the thumb
nail under the return edge of the Time Exposure
Indicator and pull it out as far as it will go. One
movement of the Exposing Lever (for Time
Exposures), either up or down, opens the Shutter and it
remains open until the Lever is moved back
again.
On the top left-hand corner of the
side of the Camera is the Winder Key for winding
the Film after each exposure. Below it is the Catch which
fastens the Door at the back of the Camera. To open the
Door gently raise this Catch. Except for reloading
purposes never open this Door when a Spool is in the
Camera. The Film will be utterly ruined if light reaches
it this way.
On opening the Door you will see a
recess at top and bottom. They are the Spool
Chambers. The one at the bottom takes the new
unexposed Spool, the other holds the empty Spool which
receives the used portions after each exposure. It can be
revolved by turning the Winder Key, which will
turn one way only.
To Load
Take a 21/4 B "Ensign Speedy" Spool.
You will see that one end is slotted. Break and throw
away the encircling band but hold the Spool carefully to
prevent the paper unwinding - in which case the Film
would be spoilt.
Now place the Spool in the Spool
Chamber at the bottom. Take particular care when
inserting the Spool, that the end with the Slot is on the
right so that the paper leads from the back, as in
illustration.
Lead the loose end of the paper across
the Camera and thread it in the longest slot of the empty
Spool, see illustration. Give the Winder Key one
ot two turns to engage the paper. Close the Door so that
the Catch snaps into position. Turn the Winder Key slowly
until 'O' appears in the little red window at the back of
the Camera. This is a warning. Continue to turn until '1'
appears and then stop. The Film is now in position for
the first exposure, and after each exposure wind until
the next figure appears. After the last (6) has been
exposed give about 12 turns to the Winder Key.
To
Unload
Open the Door and then continue to
wind with your thumb pressed upon the Spool until the
free end of the paper comes under your thumb, then stick
this end down with the gummed slip attached to it. You
thus prevent the paper from running slack and fogging the
Film. Disengage the Winder Key from the Spool by
pulling the Key gently away from the Camera. Remove the
exposed Spool for development. Take out the empty Spool
from the other Chamber and put it on the Winder side,
making sure that the slot is engaged in the
Key.
It is now ready to receive Film from a
new Spool, which you place in the other side as
before.
Note: The Camera should not be less
than 10 feet away from the object being photographed. It
may be more, in which case the subject will appear
relatively smaller in the picture. Instantaneous
Exposures may be made with the Camera held in the hand,
but when taking Time Exposures the Camera must rest upon
a table or other firm support.
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