Contax - end of an era? · Заметки

3 Марта:
Взято отсюда (British Journal of photography).

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Contax - end of an era
The manufacture of Contax and Kyocera branded 35mm film cameras has ceased, and digital products are to follow by the end of the year, marking the end of an era.
A spokesman for Kyocera in the UK confirmed to BJP that the Japanese manufacturer has already stopped production of both its own and Contax-branded 35mm film cameras. These include the Contax TVS-III, which is a high-end zoom compact; and the electronic rangefinder, the Contax G2.
The production of digital cameras under both the Kyocera and Contax brand name is also to stop by the end of the year. Operations in the US have already closed and the distribution of products has been transferred to American distributor, Tocad.
Frazer Allen of Kyocera UK told BJP that the company has made the decision because of market-led problems as opposed to financial reasons. Allen says that Kyocera is planning to concentrate on the mobile phone business, although it will continue to manufacture other electronic products as well.
Despite this announcement, rumours are still circulating of two new launches for Contax' medium format ranges. A Mark II 645 camera and a digital rangefinder to join the G series have been predicted, but Allen could not confirm whether these products are still on the design board.

So it goes.

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Апдейт:

British Journal of photography, 31 марта

Zeiss steps in to secure Contax brand
Carl Zeiss is in discussions to save the Contax brand name after Kyocera's shock decision to pull out of the manufacture of Contax-branded 35mm film and digital cameras, as exclusively revealed by BJP.
Zeiss, which owns the Contax brand, is currently in discussions with Kyocera but is also looking at partnerships with another manufacturer should Kyocera go ahead with its plans to discontinue both its own brand as well as Contax-branded cameras (BJP, 02 March).
The future of Kyocera-made medium format Contax cameras is also in doubt.
Contrary to reports elsewhere, Kyocera has not made a decision on this yet. In fact, Kyocera had been working on a digital rangefinder, the Contax Mark II 645.
Kornelius Muller at Zeiss' headquarters in Oberkochen in Germany told BJP: 'Carl Zeiss, feeling loyal to the users of Zeiss lenses, wants to see the Contax activities in the photo market continued, ideally in all current varieties.' He continued, however, that this requires the close collaboration of Kyocera and the two companies are currently in discussions - a fact confirmed by Koichi Nemoto of Yaschica Kyocera. Nemoto could not reveal any details but said: 'Although we are aware that the rumours about our business are spreading in the market, what we can say officially is very limited at this stage. The future of Contax is not 100% dependent on our decision, but requires the involvement of Carl Zeiss, therefore we are not in a position to make official statement alone.' He added that an official announcement would be made early next month.
In the meanwhile, Muller confirmed that Zeiss is considering working with other partners to continue the Contax brand. He revealed: 'Third parties like Cosina, Zeiss' partner in the new Zeiss Ikon rangefinder business, and other parties play important roles in these considerations.'
He told BJP categorically: 'The Contax brand itself cannot and will not be lost. All that can happen is that Kyocera discontinues using it and no way of continuing the Kyocera-made Contax cameras is found.'
He continued to offer reassurance for photographers currently using Kyocera-manufactured Contax cameras: 'Carl Zeiss and Kyocera will make sure that existing Carl Zeiss lenses for Contax will be serviced if needed, so they can be kept in use for many years to come.'
Finally, Muller confirmed rumours that Zeiss is working on an array of new products to be released later this year. 'The NAB tradeshow in Las Vegas in April will see the announcement of new Carl Zeiss lenses (for the film industry). New Carl Zeiss optics for consumer imaging will arrive on the market early summer and professional photographers should watch out for lenses next Photokina.'
As well as collaborating with Cosina on the Zeiss Ikon, Zeiss has also announced relationships with Alpa and Sinar to develop both medium format and 35mm cameras.