Home · Forums · My Profile · PM · Buddy list · Search · FAQ · Image Upload · Buy & Sell · Reviews · Hosting · Avatar · Software

Visit the FM Store · Image Upload · Buy & Sell
FM Forum Rules
FM Forums | Alternative Gear & Lenses
Pages: [1] 2 3 ... Last
 
  Photokina RUMOR - Alternate (archived topic)  
netexpress
Offline
Image Upload: On
Registered: Oct 20, 2004
Total Posts: 945
Country: United States
View this photographer's profile
icon Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


Let's hear it! What are the latest rumors about alternate gear (i.e. not including Canon and Nikon) coming out around Photokina?



Aug 15, 2006 at 06:22 PM
ICQ
Lotusm50
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Sep 26, 2005
Total Posts: 2983
Country: United States
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


We've all heard every possible rumor about a new DSLR from Canon, so I'll avoid those.

Let me stick to Zeiss...
1) production examples of 2 new ZF lenses: 60mm f2.0 Makro-Planar, and 28mm f2.0 Distagon (this is really not that adventurous a rumor)
2) prototype ZF 21mm f2.8 Distagon
3) prototype Zeiss Ikon digital rangefinder. 12mp and full frame. (no reason why Leica should get all the attention)
3) The return of Contax (Zeiss is still in discussions with Kyocera and presumably others. The door has not been locked shut, and its about time some news came out)


Aug 15, 2006 at 06:47 PM
carstenw
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Dec 26, 2005
Total Posts: 2767
Country: Germany
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


Lotus, I think that 1 is a given, 3 might happen and 2,4 are wishful thinking, although it would be nice.

Guy, given your spelling habits, I am not sure if you meant what you said, ie. do not be surprised if Leica announces no new lenses for the R-system. While I hope that you are wrong, they are a small shop, and it is conceivable that you are right, ie. everyone is working on the M-system right now. However, I doubt we will see a Digilux 3, unless Panasonic also announces the twin camera. Usually Panasonic gets there first.


Aug 15, 2006 at 08:09 PM
jjlphoto
Offline
Image Upload: On
Registered: Jan 03, 2005
Total Posts: 6386
Country: United States
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


Leica has already announced in a press release their intentions to enter the four-thirds system. They just didn't say when.

Aug 15, 2006 at 08:12 PM
Andi Dietrich
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Nov 13, 2005
Total Posts: 2873
Country: N/A
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


Jimi Hendrix will show up and meet with Kurt

Aug 15, 2006 at 08:22 PM
carstenw
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Dec 26, 2005
Total Posts: 2767
Country: Germany
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


Andi, I think it is more likely that Elvis comes... (do you mean Kurt Kamka? :)

Aug 15, 2006 at 08:27 PM
Lotusm50
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Sep 26, 2005
Total Posts: 2983
Country: United States
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


carstenw wrote:
Lotus, I think that 1 is a given, 3 might happen and 2,4 are wishful thinking, although it would be nice.


Agreed. #4 may be wishful thinking for this year. But a number of things don't add up in the Zeiss/Kyocera/Contax saga. To my thinking it is hard to say that Contax is dead and buried. Indeed, I have recently learned from a reliable source that there are "discussions going on between the two companies". It's been dead quiet for a while now and Zeiss is explicitly not commenting. A solution is being worked out and sooner or later we are going to be hearing about it. (hopefully sooner rather than later)


Aug 15, 2006 at 08:30 PM
carstenw
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Dec 26, 2005
Total Posts: 2767
Country: Germany
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


That would be awesome. I would *love* to see a reincarnated Contax 645 system! That is what I would like to do with my money, if I had more :)

Aug 15, 2006 at 08:32 PM
kidigital
Offline
Image Upload: On
Registered: Sep 02, 2004
Total Posts: 1984
Country: United States
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


I met with Jimi at the last Photokina. At this year's show I expect that I'll share an icy cold "picture" with the Lizard King.

Aug 15, 2006 at 08:45 PM
tracybaugh
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Jun 23, 2006
Total Posts: 37
Country: United States
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


carstenw wrote:
Andi, I think it is more likely that Elvis comes... (do you mean Kurt Kamka? :)


I think he means Kurt Cobain. :D


Aug 15, 2006 at 08:53 PM
carstenw
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Dec 26, 2005
Total Posts: 2767
Country: Germany
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


tracybaugh wrote:
carstenw wrote:
Andi, I think it is more likely that Elvis comes... (do you mean Kurt Kamka? :)


I think he means Kurt Cobain. :D


Right, I was just kidding around, although it did bring back the great kidder himself, the one and only kidigital, Kurt Kamka, tadaa! (I have not figured out yet the best way to kid digitally...)


Aug 15, 2006 at 09:40 PM
Geert Koning
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Aug 23, 2005
Total Posts: 717
Country: Netherlands
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


On the Leica-camera website I don't see the R 24/2.8 anymore ( nor the 105-280 ) so maybe something new is coming to replace them

Aug 16, 2006 at 10:06 AM
Doug Morgan
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Sep 06, 2004
Total Posts: 1018
Country: Canada
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


tracybaugh wrote:
carstenw wrote:
Andi, I think it is more likely that Elvis comes... (do you mean Kurt Kamka? :)


I think he means Kurt Cobain. :D


Elvis is fine guys -- he was just in Vancouver with Diana. I don't know if he plans to attend photokina however.



Aug 16, 2006 at 03:40 PM
Andi Dietrich
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Nov 13, 2005
Total Posts: 2873
Country: N/A
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


Doug, I dont believe you. Diana is dead !

Aug 16, 2006 at 07:18 PM
carstenw
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Dec 26, 2005
Total Posts: 2767
Country: Germany
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


bathman wrote:
Doug, I dont believe you. Diana is dead !


...but her hair still lives!


Aug 16, 2006 at 07:18 PM
Doug Morgan
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Sep 06, 2004
Total Posts: 1018
Country: Canada
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


No she's fine, really, so is elvis....
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=2117503

They've been busy, actually


Aug 17, 2006 at 12:21 AM
netexpress
Offline
Image Upload: On
Registered: Oct 20, 2004
Total Posts: 945
Country: United States
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


I was talking to a guy today who is close to people with Mamiya who claim that Mamiya will be releasing some new digital backs at Photokina. He didn't have many details but said they had cut a deal to buy chips from Creo at a discount - probably around 39MP. They'll have solutions for the 645AF in addition to the RZ and some other models.

Aug 17, 2006 at 10:07 PM
ICQ
marcwilson
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Mar 21, 2006
Total Posts: 1412
Country: United Kingdom
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


that would be great as their digital back is now about two years overdue!!

Aug 17, 2006 at 10:33 PM
netexpress
Offline
Image Upload: On
Registered: Oct 20, 2004
Total Posts: 945
Country: United States
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


I was also told that Canon purchased the lithography and related chip production hardware from Kyocera / Contax with the intention of producing MF sensors for themselves after Contax gave up on the idea. I haven’t verified this purchase. It would be interesting if it were true.

Aug 18, 2006 at 03:54 AM
ICQ
mark1958
Offline
Image Upload: On
Registered: Jan 27, 2002
Total Posts: 7497
Country: United States
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


i predict a hasselblad hc PC lens...

Aug 18, 2006 at 03:57 AM
Lotusm50
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Sep 26, 2005
Total Posts: 2983
Country: United States
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


When did Kyocera/Contax EVER produce, or even intend to produce, MF sensors?? If that was their plan, it is no wonder they folded. I sincerely doubt it. The ONLY sensor Contax ever used was a 24x36 6mp Dalsa sensor in the N Digital. The story you were told doesn't ring true to my ears, nor does it seem to be consistent with the apparent Contax situation.


netexpress wrote:
I was also told that Canon purchased the lithography and related chip production hardware from Kyocera / Contax with the intention of producing MF sensors for themselves after Contax gave up on the idea. I haven’t verified this purchase. It would be interesting if it were true.



Aug 18, 2006 at 04:02 AM
losloslos
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Jun 27, 2003
Total Posts: 1276
Country: United States
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


Kyocera is a serious company involved in a lot of big stuff--who knows what they were doing with that gear.

G.


Aug 18, 2006 at 07:54 AM
netexpress
Offline
Image Upload: On
Registered: Oct 20, 2004
Total Posts: 945
Country: United States
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


mark1958 wrote:
i predict a hasselblad hc PC lens...


That is exactly what the Hassy H system needs! I hope it comes to pass.




Aug 18, 2006 at 03:36 PM
ICQ
netexpress
Offline
Image Upload: On
Registered: Oct 20, 2004
Total Posts: 945
Country: United States
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


Lotusm50 wrote:
When did Kyocera/Contax EVER produce, or even intend to produce, MF sensors?? If that was their plan, it is no wonder they folded. I sincerely doubt it. The ONLY sensor Contax ever used was a 24x36 6mp Dalsa sensor in the N Digital. The story you were told doesn't ring true to my ears, nor does it seem to be consistent with the apparent Contax situation.


netexpress wrote:
I was also told that Canon purchased the lithography and related chip production hardware from Kyocera / Contax with the intention of producing MF sensors for themselves after Contax gave up on the idea. I haven’t verified this purchase. It would be interesting if it were true.



I was able to confirm that Kyocera/Contax is active in photo lithography development via trade journals. That's not surprising for a company of their size and scope. But I haven't found anything yet about a plan to produce medium format sensors before they folded. However, I'm not sure that information would be public. Unfortunately their financials are not very informative. US companies disclose much more about their activities.

Keep in mind this is a *rumor* thread! We’re talking about everything from Elvis to Area 51 here :) So if you've heard it someplace - that's good enough for me :)



Aug 18, 2006 at 03:42 PM
ICQ
Lotusm50
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Sep 26, 2005
Total Posts: 2983
Country: United States
View this photographer's profile
icon Re: Photokina RUMOR - Alternate


netexpress wrote:
I was able to confirm that Kyocera/Contax is active in photo lithography development via trade journals. That's not surprising for a company of their size and scope. But I haven't found anything yet about a plan to produce medium format sensors before they folded. However, I'm not sure that information would be public.


References, references! What journals, what issues? Do you have copies of articles? While it has been clear for a while that they have been developing CCD sensors for cell phone cameras, I heard nothing about them producing sensors for still cameras -- either P&S digicams, fullframe or medium format. As far as I know they weren't even using their own sensors in their P&S's. It is inconceivable that the investment required for them to produce MF sensors could ever have been recouped through Contax 645 sales -- no matter how rosy their forecasts might have been. With 3 or 4 different options to source these sensors externally it would have been a difficult sales to the money guys internally. It's hard for me to see them taking that high risk investment course, and then taking the extermely conservative, risk-averse decision to fold Contax. I'd love to see the articles/references on this as it might help me unravel Kyocera's actions over the past few years and figure out what, exactly, they were thinking.


Aug 18, 2006 at 04:05 PM

FM Forums | Alternative Gear & Lenses
Pages: [1] 2 3 ... Last