Ensign Pocket 20 folding camera

This was my mother's camera. It dates from the 1930's and take 120 roll film. Last used by me in 1983. Perhaps I should buy a roll of film and try it again?




Image taken on a K-30 with DA18-55 ED ALII

How many current camera shutters will still be working in 80 or 90 years time? I would guess precious few, even if batteries are available to operate them.

This little gem deserves a bit of exercise now and again, and perhaps at least one film through it to see what you can do. Unfortunately you won't end up with a Pentax image, but there are several Facebook groups where such pictures will be of enormous interest.

Thanks John for your encouragement. My mother owned this camera from new and looked after it. The bellows were repaired about 40 years ago and still open out fully. Whether they will keep out the light I won't know until I put a film through.

I've got a pre-war Zeiss Ikon which still works. As John says, stuff in those days was made to last.

I have a couple of Zeiss Ikon and a Franka Solida folding cameras I bought and use. They are very rewarding and surprisingly easy to use.

I lived about 200yards from the Zeiss Ikon Factory in Stuttgart.
My uncle worked at Zeiss Ikon as a foreman

I visited him during my Apprenticeship often and was always amazed by the workmanship of the super fine components produced. By the people who worked there. No wonder the shutters and cameras are still fully operational today.

My Uncle son (my cousin) worked at Kodak Dr.Nagel (Manufactures then of the Retinas) in Stuttgart and did his apprenticeship there.
On His graduation to Specialist metal worker, we where all invited to Kodak and there to, the workmanship of the components where just superb.

However I have to say, My Spotmatic and later Super-A cameras still work like new.
Pentax must have had similar craftsmanship then.

But, I don't believe the later Pentax plastic cameras and lenses will be working still in 50 years or so.

I would say this improved again with cameras like the K5 etc,, if the batteries are still available.

Regards, Horst