Ernemann Multicolor

The Ernemann Multicolor was a falling-plate magazine camera optimized for color separation. Instead of two internal reflecting type viewfinders it had just one such finder of Watson type for vertical shots and in addition a collapsible Newton type finder for horizontal shots. This measure saved room inside the camera, room for an internal set of color filters for violet, green and orange. For three-color photography the camera had to be mounted onto a heavy solid tripod and fixed to shoot the non-moving image subject. Then three plates had to be shot, each with another one of the three filters. Of course a bulb could be attached for remote shutter release.

The camera had a Colmont Rectilique Extra Rapide lens or a Carl Zeiss Jena Protar 9/150mm lens. It could be loaded with 24 9x12cm film sheets or 12 9x12cm film plates. It was marketed as Le Multicolore by the Societé de Photographie des Couleurs in Paris. It had an aperture dial around the lens opening and a distance setting dial. On one side it had a clock which shows the number of fallen plates. The camera is obviusly derived from the Ernemann Minor of 1899.

Advertisement for 'Le Multicolore' detective cameras with built-in filters for color separation use. La Nature, 13 July 1901. Scan by Abdishev (Image rights)