The Heag series of folding cameras were produced between 1900 and 1926 by Ernemann from Dresden. The abbreviation Heag stands for Heinrich Ernemann Actien Gesellschaft.
Most of the cameras in the Heag series were designed for glass plates. The cameras could be completely folded so they were easy to carry and the lenses and shutter were protected. The Heag XV was produced between 1911 and 1925.
The camera was available as a “normal” single lens camera and as stereo camera. The stereo camera was produced at least until 1918 and was available in different variations and with different lenses for the glass plate formats 45x107mm and 6x13cm. Ernemann adopted these glass formats that were introduced by Jules Richard in France and contributed to the popularity of stereo photography in the early 20th century.
This Heag XV is for the 6×13 format and has an attractive appearance because of the dark red folding covers. It distinguishes the camera from the all-black versions that were most common. The front panel with the shutter and lenses has two stylish mini settings panels with the Ernemann logo. The camera has two 90mm F6.8 Hugo Meyer & Co – Goerlitz aristostigmat lenses.
On top is a folding crosshair viewfinder and a copper plate with the name of the retailer:
Photohaus Lauterwasser – Überlingen am Bodensee
It’s a photo studio in Überlingen that was founded by Alexander Lauterwasser in 1867. The studio still exists today and is managed by the fifth generation of the Lauterwasser family[1].
The back of the camera has a ground glass which can be used for framing, as a better alternative to the viewfinder. The camera can be mounted on a tripod but it has also a leather grip to support handheld shots. I think this camera should also have a little spirit level, but it’s missing from my model.
References
- History of Fotografie Lauterwasser
- Göllner, Peter. Ernemann Cameras, 1995