The Ful-Vue II

Ful-Vue II

The model II was introduced in 1950, and while at first glance it looks very similar to the modified, 1946 Ful-Vue, there are some improvements.  Firstly, the shutter release was moved to the front of the camera, and was activated via an upward, rather than downward motion.

Ful-Vue II

A plastic front panel housed the new shutter assembly, which included a flash synch terminal.  Earlier model IIs featured Ensign's bayonet synch plug, while later models had the compur co-axial type.*  A Ful-Vue flash unit was released in 1951.

Ful-Vue flash unit instructions

The camera no longer had Ensign's 'All distance' lens, but rather a three-point focusing mount with the distances marked in yards.  The distances marked are 2, 3-5, and 6-infinity yards, though it remains to be seen how accurate these are.  Whereas before the lens mount was pulled out to enable close up shots, this one is rotated to the desired distance.

The plastic shutter assembly, with flash terminal and three-point focusing mount.

A further improvement came with the addition of a shield for the rear ruby window.  This was operated with a winding knob and prevented light from damaging the film. Some model IIs also came with tripod bushes on the base.  Coloured Ful-Vues 'a la mode' were released in 1953, which Adrian Richmond states were to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.*  Available colours were red, white, and blue,

left: Ful-Vue (c.1946) and Right: Ful-Vue II (c.1950)

Comparison of ruby window on both cameras.

The camera was featured in The Chemist and Druggist on 14th March, 1953.  

“Streamlined” and Simple. - The smart appearance of the Ensign Ful-Vue camera, which is modelled on the lines of an expensive twin-lens instrument, combined with its giant viewfinder, make it a ready seller among customers looking for a simple, fixed-focus camera taking twelve pictures on 120-size films. The camera is synchronised for flash. The makers are Barnet-Ensign-Ross Ltd., London, E17." p.257

Its popularity is made clear in an advert in the same publication on 13th March, 1954.

"THEY ALL START WITH A FUL-VUE"

"These popular Ross Ensign Models demand no expert knowledge to sell, involve no large capital outlay and ensure the quickest possible turnover in every district. It is not every chemist who has the capital to stock, or the time to sell expensive cameras. But every busy chemist is interested in popular cameras which sell themselves. More Ful-Vue and Snapper cameras are sold over the chemist's counter than through any other retail outlet, proving that the price and quality are absolutely right for every class of snapshot photographer."

"FUL-VUE – More than a million Ful-Vue cameras have been sold since 1939. This handsome camera with its giant viewfinder and easy operation is still the best box camera value at £2.9.9 tax paid." p.15

*Source: http://www.ensign.demon.co.uk/ful-vue.htm