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Ernemann Ermanox

The Ernemann Ermanox is a German plate camera introduced by Ernemann of Dresden in the mid-1920s. It is best known for being fitted with a very fast Ernostar lens, which allowed hand-held indoor photography by available light at a time when most plate cameras required flash or tripod exposures. When new it was positioned as a specialist tool for press and candid work rather than a general-purpose camera.

At UK auction the Ermanox has a wide hammer-price spread, with recorded saleroom results running from around £890 to £3,600 and a median near £1,200 — these are wholesale hammer figures before buyer's premium, not dealer retail. Condition of the Ernostar lens, shutter accuracy, and completeness of plate holders drive where an example lands in that range, and exceptional outfits have historically fetched the upper end. As of today the model remains a thin, condition-sensitive market, so what an Ermanox is worth and the price it sells for can vary sharply between examples.

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Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Date Price Source
Nov 2011 EUR 890 Leitz Auction
Dec 2009 EUR 3,600 Leitz Auction
May 2009 EUR 1,500 Leitz Auction
Jun 2008 EUR 2,200 Leitz Auction
Nov 2007 EUR 1,700 Leitz Auction
May 2005 EUR 1,300 Leitz Auction
Mar 2003 £940 Christie's
Jul 2002 £998 Christie's
Feb 2002 £1,880 Christie's
May 2001 £1,057 Christie's

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