Ernemann

Ernemann

Ernemann Brand Overview

Ernemann logo

Founded: 1889 — Dresden, German Reich
(modern day Germany)
   
Currently: Carl Zeiss AG
Pentacon GmbH

Ernemann Brand History

Ernemann was a German brand founded in 1889 by Heinrich Ernemann and a partner as Dresdner Photographische Apparate-Fabrik Ernemann & Matthias in Dresden, Germany. With models like the Ermanox and the Heag series during its relatively brief but productive 37 year life as an independent company, Ernemann consistently designed and manufactured what many (including myself) consider to be among the most interesting, innovative, and unusual cameras ever made.

Heinrich Ernemann was originally in the textiles and clothing industry but after teaching himself about photography, he decided to try cameras. Ernemann’s first models were, apart from their wooden bodies, basically just assembled using parts manufactured by other companies. Dresden’s photographic industry picked up steam and soon became oversaturated, causing many companies to flounder. Ernemann weathered the storm by transforming into a publicly traded company in 1899, reestablishing itself as Heinrich Ernemann, Aktiengesellschaft für Cameraproduktion in the process. In the years that followed, Ernemann reached beyond Dresden, taking over Herbst & Firl, a camera firm based in the border town of Görlitz, and began producing cameras as well as projectors in both cities.

Ernemann continued to expand camera production with a successful foray into cinema cameras and even began making their own lenses in 1908. When the First World War started in 1914, Ernemann began manufacturing military optics as well as personal cameras for the Kaiser’s soldiers. Shortly after World War I, a new factory was built in Dresden which featured the famous Ernemann Tower, a landmark that has since found its way onto Pentacon‘s logo. However, the ensuing financial meltdown caused by the Treaty of Versailles eventually forced Ernemann to merge with local rival ICA, Stuttgart’s Contessa-Nettel, and Berlin’s Goerz to become Zeiss Ikon in 1926. Shortly after World War II, Zeiss Ikon split into east and west along with Germany and those parts continue today as Pentacon GmbH and Carl Zeiss AG.

Interested in starting or growing your own collection of Ernemann cameras?
Check eBay to see what’s available.

References:

McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown’s Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 2001-2002. (Grantsburg, WI, USA: Centennial Photo Service, 2001), p 190-206.

“Ernemann,” Camerapedia, http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Ernemann

Related Brands

Ernemann Heag II

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The Ernemann Heag II is a multi-format folding camera introduced in 1913 by Ernemann. Founded in the German city of Dresden in 1889, the company manufactured still cameras, cinema cameras, and projection equipment. After Germany lost World War I, the Treaty of Versailles meant that the country had to pay an exorbitant amount of money in reparations (approximately 442 billion USD in today’s economy, a vast sum they finally paid off in 2010) which left its economy in utter ruin. The German camera industry floundered, forcing Ernemann to merge with three other companies (ICA, Goerz, and Contessa-Nettel) to form Zeiss Ikon in order to stay afloat.

Ernemann Bob 00

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The Ernemann Bob 00 is a multi-format folding camera introduced in 1914 by Ernemann-Werke AG. Founded by Heinrich Ernemann in 1889, Ernemann produced both still and cinema cameras as well as film projectors. After its defeat in the First World War, the Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to pay 132 billion marks in reparations (about 442 billion USD in today’s economy, a mind-blowing sum they spent nearly a century repaying) which laid waste to their national economy. The German camera industry was not spared during this period of hyperinflation and Ernemann was forced to merge with three other companies (ICA, Goerz, and Contessa-Nettel) to form Zeiss Ikon.

Ernemann Heag XV

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Roughly the size of a large stack of playing cards, the Ernemann Heag XV is a pocket-sized folding camera introduced in 1911 by Ernemann. Founded by Heinrich Ernemann in 1889, the company produced both still and cinema cameras as well as projection equipment. After its defeat in the First World War, the Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to pay an enormous amount of money in reparations (about 442 billion USD in today’s economy, a sum they only just finished paying off in 2010) which absolutely devastated its economy. Unfortunately, the German camera industry floundered during this period of hyperinflation, causing Ernemann to merge with three other companies (ICA, Goerz, and Contessa-Nettel) to form Zeiss Ikon.