Difference between revisions of "Ernemann"

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(→‎Ernemann: Added sizes of Ermanox; +link for Ermanox Reflex; took Er-Nox out of camera-list; not a separate model, just a (rarely-used) alternate name)
 
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==History==
 
==History==
 +
<small><div class="plainlinks floatright" style="text-align:center;">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/229518150/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm1.staticflickr.com/95/229518150_dfc9f2bee1_m.jpg]<br>Heinrich Ernemann,<br/> the company founder</div></small>
 
'''Heinrich Ernemann''' (1850&ndash;1928) began his entrepreneurship with a shop for linen goods, trimmings and stockings in Dresden. In 1889 he and his partner Mr. Matthias founded ''Dresdner Photographische Apparate-Fabrik Ernemann & Matthias''. Since 1890 they powered their factory with steam engines, and one year later, in 1891, Matthias left the company.
 
'''Heinrich Ernemann''' (1850&ndash;1928) began his entrepreneurship with a shop for linen goods, trimmings and stockings in Dresden. In 1889 he and his partner Mr. Matthias founded ''Dresdner Photographische Apparate-Fabrik Ernemann & Matthias''. Since 1890 they powered their factory with steam engines, and one year later, in 1891, Matthias left the company.
  
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Ernemann wanted to gain full control on camera production, therefore he added four new departments for camera parts production. The booming camera industry in Dresden led to a period of overproduction, but Heinrich Ernemann knew how to get through the crisis: he transformed his factory to a stock market company, the '''Heinrich Ernemann, Aktiengesellschaft für Cameraproduktion in Dresden''', founded in 1899.
 
Ernemann wanted to gain full control on camera production, therefore he added four new departments for camera parts production. The booming camera industry in Dresden led to a period of overproduction, but Heinrich Ernemann knew how to get through the crisis: he transformed his factory to a stock market company, the '''Heinrich Ernemann, Aktiengesellschaft für Cameraproduktion in Dresden''', founded in 1899.
  
−
The new corporation produced cameras and movie projectors in Dresden and Görlitz. It took over the camera maker ''[[Herbst & Firl|Ernst, Herbst & Firl]]'' and continued its ''[[Globus]]'' camera series. From 1901 to 1907 it was exclusive maker of [[Stöckig]]'s ''Union'' cameras. Later it used that brand itself.
+
The new corporation produced cameras and movie projectors in Dresden and Görlitz. It took over the camera maker ''[[Herbst & Firl|Ernst Herbst & Firl]]'' and continued its ''[[Globus]]'' camera series. From 1901 to 1907 it was exclusive maker of [[Stöckig]]'s ''Union'' cameras. Later it used that brand itself.
  
 
In 1903 Ernemann began to produce small cine cameras for amateurs. In 1904, Heinrich called his son, '''Alexander Ernemann''', back from the U.S. where he had gone five years earlier to get international experience, to become technical director in the company; with him the cinematographic activities were driven further. The first cinema projector didn't work well, but that failure resulted in the construction of the steel projector "Imperator" in 1909.
 
In 1903 Ernemann began to produce small cine cameras for amateurs. In 1904, Heinrich called his son, '''Alexander Ernemann''', back from the U.S. where he had gone five years earlier to get international experience, to become technical director in the company; with him the cinematographic activities were driven further. The first cinema projector didn't work well, but that failure resulted in the construction of the steel projector "Imperator" in 1909.
  
 
Alexander Ernemann also introduced more modern American ways of production and reward. This led to a strike in 1905 but put Ernemann into a better position when the photography industry suffered overproduction in 1908, forcing the company's competition to merge into [[Ica|ICA]] in 1909.
 
Alexander Ernemann also introduced more modern American ways of production and reward. This led to a strike in 1905 but put Ernemann into a better position when the photography industry suffered overproduction in 1908, forcing the company's competition to merge into [[Ica|ICA]] in 1909.
−
 
+
{{Zeiss Ikon Predecessor}}
−
<small><div class="plainlinks floatleft" style="text-align:center;">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/229518150/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm1.staticflickr.com/95/229518150_dfc9f2bee1_m.jpg]<br>Heinrich Ernemann,<br/> the company founder</div></small>
+
{{Flickr_image
−
 
+
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53230277@N07/6079819440/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6079/6079819440_fe6048e5c0_m.jpg
 +
|image_align= left
 +
|image_text= company logo "light godess"
 +
|image_by= Abdishev
 +
|image_rights= wp
 +
}}
 
In 1907 Ernemann introduced its first [[SLR]] camera, and one year later, in 1908, started making its own lenses. Until then it had purchased lenses from [[Carl Zeiss]] and [[Goerz]]. Before the first world war, Ernemann employed '''Johan Steenbergen''', who later founded [[Ihagee]], also in Dresden.
 
In 1907 Ernemann introduced its first [[SLR]] camera, and one year later, in 1908, started making its own lenses. Until then it had purchased lenses from [[Carl Zeiss]] and [[Goerz]]. Before the first world war, Ernemann employed '''Johan Steenbergen''', who later founded [[Ihagee]], also in Dresden.
  
 
During the war Ernemann partially switched to production of military products like its machine-gun camera and found many new customers for its "civil" vest pocket cameras among the soldiers. In 1920 Ernemann formed a company for its movie projectors together with the steel producer Krupp, ''Ernemann-Krupp Kinoapparate''. The successor of this projector company still exists today (see [[#Links|links]], below).   
 
During the war Ernemann partially switched to production of military products like its machine-gun camera and found many new customers for its "civil" vest pocket cameras among the soldiers. In 1920 Ernemann formed a company for its movie projectors together with the steel producer Krupp, ''Ernemann-Krupp Kinoapparate''. The successor of this projector company still exists today (see [[#Links|links]], below).   
  
−
In 1923 the camera division moved to its new factory building in Dresden-Striesen. The building's central tower, designed by Emil Högg und Richard Müller, has stood in Dresden-Striesen since 1923,<ref>"[http://www.das-neue-dresden.de/ernemann-werk.html Werksgebäude für Fotoapparate der Ernemann AG: Gut gestaltete Flächen in Eisenbeton & Eigenwillige Turmlösung]", in "[http://www.das-neue-dresden.de/ Das Neue Dresden: Aufbruch und Erinnerung]"</ref>  It is still known today as the ''[[Ernemann Tower]]''. This tower became the symbol of [[Pentacon|VEB Pentacon]] and has been called the Pentacon tower.
+
In 1923 the camera division moved to its new factory building in Dresden-Striesen. The building's central tower, designed by Emil Högg und Richard Müller, has stood in Dresden-Striesen since 1923,<ref>"[http://www.das-neue-dresden.de/ernemann-werk.html Werksgebäude für Fotoapparate der Ernemann AG: Gut gestaltete Flächen in Eisenbeton & Eigenwillige Turmlösung]", in "[http://www.das-neue-dresden.de/ Das Neue Dresden: Aufbruch und Erinnerung]"</ref>  It is still known today as the ''[[Ernemann Tower]]''. This tower became the symbol of [[Pentacon|VEB Pentacon]] and has also been called the Pentacon tower.
  
−
The post-WWI times of the great German inflation until 1923 were good for Ernemann since inflation allowed low export prices for its products. In 1924 the company had to rationalize production, in spite of which '''Ludwig Bertele''' developed the "[[Ernostar]] 1:2" asymmetric lens with six elements for Ernemann. For this fast lens the company introduced the ''Er-Nox'' camera for 6x4.5 exposures in 1924. In 1925 a 6x9 format version followed, and the cameras were renamed ''[[Ermanox]]''. The ''Ernostar'' lens could be improved. It was an unusually fast and large f/1.8 85mm lens, allowing photography in dimly-lit theaters and the like, using only available light.Finally a reflex version of the ''Ermanox'' was released in 1926. Other famous cameras from Ernemann include the ''[[Ernemann Bob|Bob]]'' folding series and the ''Heag'' line of cameras as well as several sophisticated folding cameras.
+
The post-WWI times of the great German inflation until 1923 were good for Ernemann since inflation allowed low export prices for its products. In 1924 the company had to rationalize production, in spite of which [[Ludwig Bertele]] developed the "[[Ernostar]] 1:2" asymmetric lens with six elements for Ernemann. For this fast lens the company introduced the ''Er-Nox'' camera for 6x4.5 exposures in 1924. In 1925 a 6x9 format version followed, and the cameras were renamed ''[[Ermanox]]''. The ''Ernostar'' lens could be improved. It was an unusually fast and large f/1.8 85mm lens, allowing photography in dimly-lit theaters and the like, using only available light.Finally a reflex version of the ''Ermanox'' was released in 1926. Other famous cameras from Ernemann include the ''[[Ernemann Bob|Bob]]'' folding series and the ''Heag'' line of cameras as well as several sophisticated folding cameras.
  
 
In 1926 Ernemann merged with [[ICA]], also in Dresden, [[Goerz]] in Berlin and [[Contessa-Nettel]] in Stuttgart to become [[Zeiss Ikon]]. By this time Ernemann had acquired 213 patents.
 
In 1926 Ernemann merged with [[ICA]], also in Dresden, [[Goerz]] in Berlin and [[Contessa-Nettel]] in Stuttgart to become [[Zeiss Ikon]]. By this time Ernemann had acquired 213 patents.
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==Cameras==
 
==Cameras==
  
−
===Ernemann===
 
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
−
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcokalmann/249925325/in/pool-camerapedia/
+
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcokalmann/249925325/in/pool-camerawiki/
 
|image=  http://farm1.static.flickr.com/80/249925325_b5fdf23973_m.jpg
 
|image=  http://farm1.static.flickr.com/80/249925325_b5fdf23973_m.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_align= right
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|image_rights= nc
 
|image_rights= nc
 
}}
 
}}
 +
===Ernemann===
 +
* [[Alex]]
 
* [[Archimedes]] and Archimedes Stereoskop
 
* [[Archimedes]] and Archimedes Stereoskop
 
* [[Berry]]
 
* [[Berry]]
 
* '''[[Ernemann Bob|Bob]] series''' 0-XV, including:  
 
* '''[[Ernemann Bob|Bob]] series''' 0-XV, including:  
−
**[[Ernemann Bob#Ernemann Bob 0|Bob 0]]
+
**[[Ernemann Bob#Bob 0|Bob 0]]
−
**[[Ernemann Bob#Ernemann Bob I|Bob I]]
+
**[[Ernemann Bob#Bob I|Bob I]]
−
**[[Ernemann Bob#Ernemann Bob II|Bob II]]
+
**[[Ernemann Bob#Bob II|Bob II]]
−
**[[Ernemann Bob#Ernemann Bob IIa|Bob IIa]]
+
**[[Ernemann Bob#Bob IIa|Bob IIa]]
−
**[[Ernemann Bob#Ernemann Bob V|Bob V]]
+
**[[Ernemann Bob#Bob V|Bob V]]
 
**[[Ernemann Bob#Bob V stereo|Bob V Stereo]]
 
**[[Ernemann Bob#Bob V stereo|Bob V Stereo]]
 
* Bob-Folding I - III (''horizontal''-folding cameras)
 
* Bob-Folding I - III (''horizontal''-folding cameras)
−
* [[Ernemann Bobette I|Bobette I]]
+
*[[Ernemann Bobette I|Bobette I]]
 
**[[Ernemann_Bobette_I#Ernemann_Bobette_I_.2818x24mm.29|Bobette I (18x24)]]
 
**[[Ernemann_Bobette_I#Ernemann_Bobette_I_.2818x24mm.29|Bobette I (18x24)]]
 
**[[Ernemann_Bobette_I#Ernemann_Bobette_I_.2822x33mm.29|Bobette I (22x33)]]
 
**[[Ernemann_Bobette_I#Ernemann_Bobette_I_.2822x33mm.29|Bobette I (22x33)]]
−
* [[Bobette II]]
+
* [[Bobette II]]{{Flickr_image
−
* [[Dove]] stereo box camera
 
−
{{Flickr_image
 
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/229528093/in/pool-camerawiki/
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/229528093/in/pool-camerawiki/
 
|image= http://static.flickr.com/84/229528093_5e6dfbfdc2_m.jpg
 
|image= http://static.flickr.com/84/229528093_5e6dfbfdc2_m.jpg
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|image_rights= (C)
 
|image_rights= (C)
 
}}
 
}}
 +
* [[Dove]] Stereoskop
 
* [[Ernemann Minor|Edison]]
 
* [[Ernemann Minor|Edison]]
−
* Er-Nox
+
* [[Ermanox]] night camera
−
* [[Ermanox]] (rigid body)
+
**4.5x6cm (rigid body)
−
* Ermanox (Klapp or strut-folding body)
+
**6.5x9cm (only briefly rigid-bodied; later strut-folding)
−
* Ermanox Reflex
+
**9x12cm (strut-folding)
 +
* [[Ermanox Reflex]]
 
* Ernette
 
* Ernette
 
* [[Ernemann_Erni|Erni]]
 
* [[Ernemann_Erni|Erni]]
 
* [[Ernemann_Erni_Stereo|Erni Stereo]]
 
* [[Ernemann_Erni_Stereo|Erni Stereo]]
−
* Europa
+
* Ernemann-[[Rundblick]]-Camera (360degrees panorama camera)
−
* Ernemann-Rundblick-Camera (360degrees panorama camera)
 
 
* [[Ernoflex]]
 
* [[Ernoflex]]
 
* [[Ernemann_Film_K|Film K]]
 
* [[Ernemann_Film_K|Film K]]
 +
* Europa
 
* Film and Film-Stereoskop
 
* Film and Film-Stereoskop
 
* [[Globus]]
 
* [[Globus]]
−
* Globus Stereo
 
−
* '''Heag''' 0-XVI see [[Ernemann#Heag|list below]]
 
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53230277@N07/4966566200/in/pool-camerawiki
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53230277@N07/4966566200/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image_rights= (C)
 
|image_rights= (C)
 
}}
 
}}
 +
* Globus Stereo
 +
* '''Heag''' 0-XVI see [[Ernemann#Heag|list below]]
 
* Italia
 
* Italia
 +
* Kassetten-Film-Camera
 
* [[Ernemann Kino I | Kino I]]
 
* [[Ernemann Kino I | Kino I]]
 
* [[Ernemann Klapp-Camera|Klapp / Miniatur-Klapp]]
 
* [[Ernemann Klapp-Camera|Klapp / Miniatur-Klapp]]
 
* Klapp Reflex
 
* Klapp Reflex
 
* Klapp Stereo
 
* Klapp Stereo
 +
* [[Ernemann Lea|Lea]]
 
* [[Ernemann Liliput|Liliput]]
 
* [[Ernemann Liliput|Liliput]]
 
* [[Ernemann Liliput Stereo|Liliput Stereo]]
 
* [[Ernemann Liliput Stereo|Liliput Stereo]]
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* Moser-Stereoskop
 
* Moser-Stereoskop
 
* [[Ernemann Multicolor|Multicolor]]
 
* [[Ernemann Multicolor|Multicolor]]
−
* Nansen
+
* Nansen, Nansen-Stereoskop
 
* [[Ernemann Rolf I|Rolf I]]
 
* [[Ernemann Rolf I|Rolf I]]
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53230277@N07/5001148398/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4085/5001148398_c9341387f6_m.jpg
 +
|image_align= right
 +
|image_text= Erni
 +
|image_by= Abdishev
 +
|image_rights= wp
 +
}}
 
* Rolf II
 
* Rolf II
 +
* Röntgen
 +
* Schülerkamera ˶Alex˝
 
* Simplex
 
* Simplex
 
* Simplex Ernoflex
 
* Simplex Ernoflex
 
* [[Ernemann Spiegelreflex-Camera|Spiegelreflex-Camera]]
 
* [[Ernemann Spiegelreflex-Camera|Spiegelreflex-Camera]]
 +
* [[Ernemann telescopic-folding plate camera]]
 +
* [[Ernemann Tropen-Klapp-Camera|Tropen-Klapp]]
 
* [[Ernemann Unette|Unette]]
 
* [[Ernemann Unette|Unette]]
 +
* Universal
 +
* [[Velocam]]
 +
* [[Velo-Klapp]]
 +
* Zwei-Verschluss-Camera
 +
 +
===Heag===
 +
 +
* [[Ernemann_Heag_0|Heag 0, Heag 0A]]
 +
* [[Ernemann_Heag_00|Heag 00]]
 +
* Heag I, [[Ernemann_Heag_I_Stereoskop|Heag I Stereoskop]]
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53230277@N07/6369352533/in/pool-camerawiki
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/53230277@N07/6369352533/in/pool-camerawiki
−
|image= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6233/6369352533_abd60fca22_n.jpg
+
|image= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6233/6369352533_abd60fca22_m.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_text= [[Ernemann Heag XVI|Heag XVI]] (1907)
 
|image_text= [[Ernemann Heag XVI|Heag XVI]] (1907)
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|image_rights= (C)
 
|image_rights= (C)
 
}}
 
}}
−
* Universal
+
* [[Ernemann Heag II|Heag II]], Heag IIa (amateur camera)
−
* [[Velocam]]
+
* [[Ernemann_Heag_III|Heag III]]
−
* [[Velo-Klapp]]
+
* [[Ernemann_Heag_III Stereo|Heag III Stereo]]
−
* Zwei-Verschluss-Camera
+
* [[Ernemann_Heag_IV|Heag IV]], Heag VI Stereoskop ** Heag V
−
 
+
* [[Ernemann_Heag_VI|Heag VI]]
−
===Heag===
+
* Heag VII
−
*'''Heag'''
+
* Heag VIII
−
** [[Ernemann_Heag_00|Heag 00]]
+
* Heag IX, Heag IX Universal
−
** Heag I, [[Ernemann_Heag_I_Stereoscop|Heag I Stereoscop]]
+
* Heag X, Tropen Heag X
−
** [[Ernemann Heag II|Heag II]], Heag IIa (amateur camera)
+
* Heag XI, [[Tropen Heag XI]]
−
** [[Ernemann_Heag_III|Heag III]]
+
* [[Ernemann_Heag_XII|Heag XII]]
−
** [[Ernemann_Heag_IV|Heag IV]]
+
* [[Ernemann_Heag_XIV|Heag XIV]]
−
** Heag V
+
* [[Ernemann Heag XV|Heag XV]] (vest pocket camera)
−
** [[Ernemann_Heag_VI|Heag VI]]
+
* [[Ernemann_Heag_XVI|Heag XVI]]
−
** Heag VII
 
−
** Heag VIII
 
−
** Heag IX, Heag IX Universal
 
−
** Heag X, Tropen Heag X
 
−
** Heag XI, [[Tropen Heag XI]]
 
−
** [[Ernemann_Heag_XII|Heag XII]]
 
−
** [[Ernemann_Heag_XIV|Heag XIV]]
 
−
** [[Ernemann Heag XV|Heag XV]] (vest pocket camera)
 
−
** [[Ernemann_Heag_XVI|Heag XVI]]
 
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
<references />
 
<references />
−
 
−
 
  
 
==Literature==
 
==Literature==
 
* Kirsten Vincenz, Wolfgang Hesse: ''Fotoindustrie und Bilderwelten - Die Heinrich Ernemann AG für Camerafabrikation in Dresden 1889-1926'', Dresden 2008
 
* Kirsten Vincenz, Wolfgang Hesse: ''Fotoindustrie und Bilderwelten - Die Heinrich Ernemann AG für Camerafabrikation in Dresden 1889-1926'', Dresden 2008
−
 
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
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|image= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6202/6082875550_7afc6bca9c_n.jpg
 
|image= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6202/6082875550_7afc6bca9c_n.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_align= right
−
|image_text= 50 million Deutschmarks, printed by Ernemann AG (German hyper-inflation 1923)
+
|image_text= 50 million Deutschmarks voucher,<br/>printed by Ernemann AG (German hyper-inflation 1923)
 
|image_by= Abdishev
 
|image_by= Abdishev
 
|image_rights= (C)
 
|image_rights= (C)
 
}}
 
}}
−
* [http://www.ernemann.com Ernemann CineTec GmbH movie projectors]
+
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160628043751/http://ernemann-gmbh.com/en/ Ernemann CineTec GmbH movie projectors] (archived)
  
 
In German:
 
In German:
Line 175: Line 195:
 
* [http://www.dresdner-stadtteile.de/Ost/Striesen/Strassen_Striesen/Schandauer_Strasse/Ernemann-Werke/ernemann-werke.html Dresdner page about Ernemann-Werke]
 
* [http://www.dresdner-stadtteile.de/Ost/Striesen/Strassen_Striesen/Schandauer_Strasse/Ernemann-Werke/ernemann-werke.html Dresdner page about Ernemann-Werke]
 
* [http://www.dresdner-kameras.de/firmengeschichte/firmen/firmen.html Company history] at [http://www.dresdner-kameras.de/ dresdner-kameras.de]
 
* [http://www.dresdner-kameras.de/firmengeschichte/firmen/firmen.html Company history] at [http://www.dresdner-kameras.de/ dresdner-kameras.de]
−
* Catalogue [http://www.cineressources.net/images/ouv_num/256.pdf ''Ernemann Cameras sind die Besten; Anleitung; Liste No. 91''] (undated, but describing the Bob III (1904-10) as new) at [http://www.cineressources.net/recherche_t.php Ciné-Ressources]
+
* Catalogue [http://www.cineressources.net/consultationPdf/web/o000/256.pdf ''Ernemann Cameras sind die Besten; Anleitung; Liste No. 91''] (undated, but describing the Bob III (1904-10) as new) at [http://www.cineressources.net/recherche_t.php Ciné-Ressources]
−
* [http://www.fo-to.de/HEAG_1892-1926%20Ausschnitt.pdf Ernemann catalogue pages], slow-load-PDF at PHOTOGRAPHICA-WORLD [http://www.fo-to.de]
+
* [http://www.fo-to.de/HEAG_1892-1926%20Ausschnitt.pdf Ernemann catalogue pages] (slow-loading PDF) at [http://www.fo-to.de Photographica World]
  
 
In French:
 
In French:
−
* [http://photo.even.free.fr/col_app_ernemann.php Ernemann page] at [http://photo.even.free.fr/ Collection G. Even's site]
+
* [http://www.collectiongeven.com/piwigo/index.php?/category/637 Ernemann page] at [http://www.collectiongeven.com/piwigo/ Collection G. Even's site]
 
* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/listeE_imagettes.php#Ernemann Ernemann Cameras] at www.collection-appareils.fr
 
* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/listeE_imagettes.php#Ernemann Ernemann Cameras] at www.collection-appareils.fr
  

Latest revision as of 14:37, 5 May 2024


Camera industry in Dresden
Balda | Certo | Eho-Altissa | Eichapfel | Ernemann | Feinmess | Heyde | Hamaphot | Huth | Hüttig | ICA | Ihagee | Kochmann | Kerman | KW | Eugen Loeber | Ludwig | Mentor | Merkel | Meyer | Mimosa | Pentacon | Richter | Sommer | Stübiger | Unger & Hoffmann | Werner | Wünsche | Zeiss Ikon | Zeh
Camera distributors in Dresden
Stöckig
Camera industry in Freital
Beier | Pouva | Stein & Binnewerg | Thowe | Welta


229501676_3638039ebc.jpg
The Ernemann factory buildings with the famous Ernemann Tower
image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)


History

229518150_dfc9f2bee1_m.jpg
Heinrich Ernemann,
the company founder

Heinrich Ernemann (1850–1928) began his entrepreneurship with a shop for linen goods, trimmings and stockings in Dresden. In 1889 he and his partner Mr. Matthias founded Dresdner Photographische Apparate-Fabrik Ernemann & Matthias. Since 1890 they powered their factory with steam engines, and one year later, in 1891, Matthias left the company.

Ernemann was self-educated about photography and talented for getting into that business. The first products of his company were wooden cameras for professional photographers. Until 1896 the company's own production was largely limited to the wooden parts; other parts had to be bought from suppliers.

Ernemann wanted to gain full control on camera production, therefore he added four new departments for camera parts production. The booming camera industry in Dresden led to a period of overproduction, but Heinrich Ernemann knew how to get through the crisis: he transformed his factory to a stock market company, the Heinrich Ernemann, Aktiengesellschaft für Cameraproduktion in Dresden, founded in 1899.

The new corporation produced cameras and movie projectors in Dresden and Görlitz. It took over the camera maker Ernst Herbst & Firl and continued its Globus camera series. From 1901 to 1907 it was exclusive maker of Stöckig's Union cameras. Later it used that brand itself.

In 1903 Ernemann began to produce small cine cameras for amateurs. In 1904, Heinrich called his son, Alexander Ernemann, back from the U.S. where he had gone five years earlier to get international experience, to become technical director in the company; with him the cinematographic activities were driven further. The first cinema projector didn't work well, but that failure resulted in the construction of the steel projector "Imperator" in 1909.

Alexander Ernemann also introduced more modern American ways of production and reward. This led to a strike in 1905 but put Ernemann into a better position when the photography industry suffered overproduction in 1908, forcing the company's competition to merge into ICA in 1909.

Zeiss Ikon and related companies
Pre-Merger phase I (before 1909)
Hüttig | Wünsche | Krügener | Carl Zeiss Palmos | Nettel | Drexler & Nagel | Herbst & Firl
Pre-merger phase II (1909-1926)
Carl Zeiss | Ernemann | ICA | Goerz | Zulauf | Contessa-Nettel
Zeiss Ikon (1926 and after)
Zeiss Ikon | Pentacon
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company logo "light godess"
image by Abdishev (Image rights)

In 1907 Ernemann introduced its first SLR camera, and one year later, in 1908, started making its own lenses. Until then it had purchased lenses from Carl Zeiss and Goerz. Before the first world war, Ernemann employed Johan Steenbergen, who later founded Ihagee, also in Dresden.

During the war Ernemann partially switched to production of military products like its machine-gun camera and found many new customers for its "civil" vest pocket cameras among the soldiers. In 1920 Ernemann formed a company for its movie projectors together with the steel producer Krupp, Ernemann-Krupp Kinoapparate. The successor of this projector company still exists today (see links, below).

In 1923 the camera division moved to its new factory building in Dresden-Striesen. The building's central tower, designed by Emil Högg und Richard Müller, has stood in Dresden-Striesen since 1923,[1] It is still known today as the Ernemann Tower. This tower became the symbol of VEB Pentacon and has also been called the Pentacon tower.

The post-WWI times of the great German inflation until 1923 were good for Ernemann since inflation allowed low export prices for its products. In 1924 the company had to rationalize production, in spite of which Ludwig Bertele developed the "Ernostar 1:2" asymmetric lens with six elements for Ernemann. For this fast lens the company introduced the Er-Nox camera for 6x4.5 exposures in 1924. In 1925 a 6x9 format version followed, and the cameras were renamed Ermanox. The Ernostar lens could be improved. It was an unusually fast and large f/1.8 85mm lens, allowing photography in dimly-lit theaters and the like, using only available light.Finally a reflex version of the Ermanox was released in 1926. Other famous cameras from Ernemann include the Bob folding series and the Heag line of cameras as well as several sophisticated folding cameras.

In 1926 Ernemann merged with ICA, also in Dresden, Goerz in Berlin and Contessa-Nettel in Stuttgart to become Zeiss Ikon. By this time Ernemann had acquired 213 patents.

Cameras

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image by marcokalmann (Image rights)

Ernemann

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Kino I (1903?) for 17.5mm film
image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)
4966566200_bd047f51d2_m.jpg
Miniatur-Klapp (1922)
image by Abdishev (Image rights)
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Erni
image by Abdishev (Image rights)

Heag

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Heag XVI (1907)
image by Abdishev (Image rights)

Notes

  1. ↑ "Werksgebäude für Fotoapparate der Ernemann AG: Gut gestaltete Flächen in Eisenbeton & Eigenwillige Turmlösung", in "Das Neue Dresden: Aufbruch und Erinnerung"

Literature

  • Kirsten Vincenz, Wolfgang Hesse: Fotoindustrie und Bilderwelten - Die Heinrich Ernemann AG für Camerafabrikation in Dresden 1889-1926, Dresden 2008

Links

In English:

6082875550_7afc6bca9c_n.jpg
50 million Deutschmarks voucher,
printed by Ernemann AG (German hyper-inflation 1923)
image by Abdishev (Image rights)

In German:

In French:

See also

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