Ermanox

1924

Heinrich Ernemann A.G.

Dresden

Germany

Lens:

f1.8, 85 mm Ernostar, iris diaphragm to f25. Serial no. 167265 .

Shutter:

Focal-plane, speeds 1/20 - 1/1000, O, Z. Slit width and tension adjusted to vary speed. Self-capping.

Construction:

Leather covered metal body.

Format:

4.5 x 6 cm plates held in single metal slides.

Focusing:

To 3.5 feet, helical lens movement.

Attributes:

Direct-vision (lens/post) view-finder.

Serial Number:

1254025 .

With:

3 single metal slides in Ernemann pouch. Nickel finish.
Hooded focusing screen. Lens cap on cord. Case.

The Ermanox was the first of the 'fast lens' miniature cameras. It was listed after the Zeiss merger until c. 1930. The price for the f1.8 model was £28.15.0.

Originally available with an f2 lens and soon after with an f1.8. The earliest versions of the f2 have the cable-release socket separate from the finger release. Larger models with the f1.8 lens were produced using bellows and struts.

A similar camera was sold by Thornton-Pickard with an f2 Cooke lens and in Britain by Roth with a Meyer Plasmat lens.

References & Notes:

BJA 1925, pp. 333, 695. BJA 1926, pp. 341, 680. Lothrop, Century, p. 133.

Further Information:

Coe, Cameras, p.126. Tubbs, ZI Cameras, p.35. BJA, 1926, p.47. T-P camera. BJA 1926, 720. Meyer version.

Illustrations:

Christie's Cat. 12/1/1995 lot 433; 4/7/1985, 181. T-P Ruby Speed. Christie's Cat. 19/5/1988 lot 242. Lorenz Clarissa, similar type, Meyer lens.

Company Details:

Ernemann

Early Photography