The Ful-Vue Super

Ful-Vue Super

 The Ful-Vue Super was a heavily restyled Ful-Vue with some added features.  Released by Ross Ensign in 1954, they boasted in its manual that:

"...in the Ful-Vue Super you have the result of over fourteen years research and development on one camera design." pp.2-3

"The Ful-Vue Super has all the best features of cameras in the luxury class at a fraction of th cost and with none of the complications which always baffle the amateur." p.3

The biggest design changes from the previous models were its viewfinder hood and filmloading cradle.  The hood lifted over the viewfinder and prevented bright sunlight from obscurring the image during composition.  The film loading cradle swung beneath the camera when the back was removed and greatly improved the ease of loading:

"Perhaps the most pleasant surprise in store for every Ful-Vue Super owner is the ease with which the film can be loaded thanks to its swing-cradle loading chamber."p.4

Loading cradle

The camera has a pressure diecast body, whilst the hood and back were made of pressed steel.  The flash socket, tripod bush, and and three-point focusing lens remain from the previous model, though the distances offered are now 2, 4, and infinity yards.  The mount also mentions metres, which are similar in length to yards and so it seems they are represented as roughly equivalent distances.

Ful-Vue Super, showing flash socket

Focusing mount

Tripod bush

The manufacturers stress the versatility of the camera in its manual:

"...the Ful-Vue Super can be used for flash shots, close ups and distant views, night photography and even action pictures." p.5

As with the model II, the Super has a ruby window shield, though the winding knob on the earlier model has been replaced with a pressure pad that winds the shield in place. 

Ruby window shield

In the image below, the shutter that covers the ruby window is partially closed.

Partially shielded ruby window

A departure from earlier Ful-Vue models was the use of 620 film in the Super rather than 120.  This meant smaller film spools and was possibly done to minimise the size of the camera.  620 spools can still be used by unwinding 120 film (in darkness) and rewinding onto the smaller spool. 





BJP Almanac, 1954

"A foldng viewfinder hood, swing cradle loading chamber and pressure die-cast body are some of the new and exclusive features of the 1954 Ful-Vue Super camera." p.66

"The most interesting news item is that an entirely original Ful-Vue is on its way. Known as the Ful-Vue Super, it will incorporate all the improvements and new features suggested by the manufacture of over a million of these cameras since the last model was introduced. The Ful-Vue Super will be the finest twin-lens box camera ever offered to the public." p.67

The Chemist and Druggist, June 25th, 1955

"GET INTO THE PICTURE YOURSELF"

"If it did no more than maintain its established reputation, the Ful-Vue would still be every dealer's best selling snapshot camera this season. But the Ful-Vue Super goes further much further. It has a new lens, new swing-cradle film loading and pressure die-cast body. It looks and handles like an expensive twin lens reflex and retails at a price which represents unbelievable value. If you have not already placed your new season's order for the Ful-Vue and other popular Ross Ensign cameras, ask our Sales Department to put you in the picture right away."

"Create additional sales by showing the Ful-Vue with its flash unit and ever-ready case. Retail Price: 59/8, Flash Unit 23/11, Ever-ready Case 12/8." p.39

The Chemist and Druggist, April 14^th, 1956

"ENSIGN FUL-VUE SUPER:

Twelve negatives on 620 film: die-cast metal body; large reflex view-finder with hinged hood; focusing lens; flash-contated shutter. £3 2s. 7d. In card box with ever-ready case and flashgun with “gift” labels. £5 0s. 9d." p.264

Popular Photography, April 1956

"Here's an excellent gif presentation that should be appreciated by any member of the family. It's an Ensign “Ful-Vue” box camera, taking 12 exposures on a 120 roll, packed in a heavy cardboard carrying case that's made like a suitcase, along with its own eveready case and a B-C flash unit. It also has a supply of stick-on labels suitable for any occasion. The Ful-Vue is a reflex type, with folding hood to protect its viewing lens, f/11 taking lens, and speeds of I, B and Flash. It's of light-weight metal alloy and the whole package lists at $10.50 from any London dealer. (Duty, about $4.35)" p122