Life In Ful-Vue: Introducing the Modified Ful-Vue

Britain Can Make It poster designed by Ashley Havinden for the Council of Industrial Design - Public Domain.

In post-war Britain, there was a need to draw a line under recent years of austerity and look ahead to more prosperous times. Sir Stafford Cripps, the President of the Board of Trade, proposed an exhibition to showcase the best of forward-looking British manufacturing. The resulting “Britain Can Make It” Exhibition, was organised by the Council of Industrial Design and held in the Victoria & Albert Museum between September and October 1946. Many manufacturers were invited to exhibit products that would play a role in creating a prosperous future economy through exports abroad. The emphasis was very much on design and the role of the designer in maintaining a healthy and competitive market. Products were exhibited from many different categories, including clothing, household goods, and office equipment. Opened by King George VI, the exhibition attracted on average a staggering 20,000 visitors a day during its three month running.

Barnet Ensign Ltd introduced two new cameras to the public at the Exhibition. One, the Ensign Commando, was a folding coupled-rangefinder camera that had been originally developed for military use during the war. The other camera was a modified Ful-Vue with a strikingly futuristic appearance - a real departure from the standard box camera design.

Modified Ful-Vue c.1946

Instead of a back door, the inside of the camera is accessed through a lockable side panel. The camera kept its shutter speed of 1/30th of a second at f/11, and also its time and instantaneous settings. The shutter release was moved to the front of the camera, and the provided ‘ever-ready’ case allowed pictures to be taken and film to be advanced without removing the camera. A viewing window on the back of the case allowed the photographer to see the red window on the back of the camera.

The Ful-Vue was advertised in the October 1948 issue of Popular Photography:

“Roll film size 120: 12 exposures, 2 ¼ x 2 ¼; Ensign All-Distance lens with a two position focusing mount; reflex-type finder; single action shutter with Instantaneous speed and T; all metal construction. Price $12.95, tax included.” p.117

It was also advertised in the Yorkshire Evening Post on Thursday 30^th June 1949:

“Happy Days! REMEMBER THEM WITH PHOTOGRAPHS. We can now offer the IDEAL FAMILY CAMERA – THE ENSIGN FUL-VUE
New streamlined design. Large illuminated view finder. Takes 12 pictures, 2 ¼ x 2 ¼ in. on size E20 film. Price (inc. of tax) - £3-8-2″. p.5