Houghton Ensign All Distance (box, black)

The Ensign All Distance, a black-bodied box camera produced by Houghton in 1927, represents an early and pragmatic application of the 135 (35mm) film format for the amateur market. As a simple box camera, it offered straightforward operation, typically featuring a fixed-focus lens and a single shutter speed, catering to users seeking convenience and affordability over sophisticated controls. The "All Distance" name likely emphasized its fixed focus capability, suitable for snapshots within its limited depth of field. Constructed primarily from metal and potentially early plastics, it embodies the transitional period when 35mm film began its move from cine towards still photography, appealing to the general public with its compact design compared to larger plate cameras. Its significance lies in being one of the accessible entry points to 135 film during the late 1920s, predating the rise of more complex miniature cameras.