"...and for photo lens market stay tuned!” the company says."
“We [Zeiss] continue to support photographers. There is no exit. Zeiss is actively producing lenses. If we sell them, we must continue to manufacture them. There are also still software updates,” the company says."
“We [Zeiss] have three areas — photo, cine, mobile — and of course we have a lot of product releases in mobile imaging which is due to the logic of the smartphone market. [But] be have a couple new cine products, and for photo lens market stay tuned!” the company says."
"Zeiss adds that Sony appears to have decided to go its own route with regard to its lens roadmap and this is “a decision on Sony’s side.” That said, “the partnership with Sony is really strong and we are in a good relationship with them,” and Zeiss adds that the most recent vlog-focused camera, the ZV-1 Mark II, uses Zeiss optics."
LBJ2 wrote:
"...and for photo lens market stay tuned!” the company says."
“We [Zeiss] continue to support photographers. There is no exit. Zeiss is actively producing lenses. If we sell them, we must continue to manufacture them. There are also still software updates,” the company says."
“We [Zeiss] have three areas — photo, cine, mobile — and of course we have a lot of product releases in mobile imaging which is due to the logic of the smartphone market. [But] be have a couple new cine products, and for photo lens market stay tuned!” the company says."
"Zeiss adds that Sony appears to have decided to go its own route with regard to its lens roadmap and this is “a decision on Sony’s side.” That said, “the partnership with Sony is really strong and we are in a good relationship with them,” and Zeiss adds that the most recent vlog-focused camera, the ZV-1 Mark II, uses Zeiss optics."
LBJ2 wrote:
This article appears to be the latest Zeiss response:
–Joachim Kuss, Head of Communications for the ZEISS Consumer Markets Segment:
"We cannot speak for independent dealers or why anyone would be interested in spreading such a rumor.”
"While we understand that the photographic community has questions we need to answer..."
“First, ZEISS is not leaving the photo lens market,” Joachim explains when we ask about what the company is doing for photographers, specifically not using their smartphones. “While we understand that the photographic community has questions we need to answer, we do not see the benefit of spreading rumors. We cannot speak for independent dealers or why anyone would be interested in spreading such a rumor.”
Yeah, they say the photography market includes regular cameras and smartphones and that they continue to be active in that market. Simple conclusion: they will continue to make lenses for smartphones but not for regular cameras.
My Question: "Is it true that Zeiss will exit the camera market?"
Reply ZEISS Camera Lenses: "ZEISS remains committed to the photo lens market. No restrictions on our photo lens products or services. Sorry that a rumor has caused irritation.
Content creation has never been bigger and we believe that our products are a perfect companion for photography and videography as practiced by so many consumers and professionals worldwide."
"...and for photo lens market stay tuned!” the company says."
Hmmm. Just wondering/daydreaming... is there a possibility... L-Mount Alliance might be on the table for Zeiss?
Current Alliance members supporting the L-Mount: Leica Camera, SIGMA, Panasonic, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH and, DJI.
E.g.:
-Milvus lenses might be a good candidate and design for some larger L-Mount cameras
-Multiple lines of Zeiss manual focus lenses could be a very nice combo for Leica SL/-2/-S and Panasonic FF cameras
-Zeiss Cine lenses?
zeitlos wrote:
I have just received the following reply.
My Question: "Is it true that Zeiss will exit the camera market?"
Reply ZEISS Camera Lenses: "ZEISS remains committed to the photo lens market. No restrictions on our photo lens products or services. Sorry that a rumor has caused irritation.
Content creation has never been bigger and we believe that our products are a perfect companion for photography and videography as practiced by so many consumers and professionals worldwide."
Strictly speaking, smartphone camera lenses are also "photo lenses" and part of the biggest market of all with regards to videographers and content creators..
That is the biggest flaw in these generic statements and answers: they can mean everything and nothing.
The only meaningful answer, i.m.o. opinion, that Zeiss can give, is whether they are actively designing new camera lenses for full frame ILC cameras.
I believe I know the answer to that without them saying so, but until they come out with it, you will continue to have these confusing and "telling nothing at all" question/answer exchanges.
ChrisMak wrote:
Strictly speaking, smartphone camera lenses are also "photo lenses" and part of the biggest market of all with regards to videographers and content creators..
That is the biggest flaw in these generic statements and answers: they can mean everything and nothing.
The only meaningful answer, i.m.o. opinion, that Zeiss can give, is whether they are actively designing new camera lenses for full frame ILC cameras.
I believe I know the answer to that without them saying so, but until they come out with it, you will continue to have these confusing and "telling nothing at all" question/answer exchanges.
"With a little practice, writing can be an intimidating and impenetrable fog!"
LBJ2 wrote:
-Milvus lenses might be a good candidate and design for some larger L-Mount cameras
-Multiple lines of Zeiss manual focus lenses could be a very nice combo for Leica SL/-2/-S and Panasonic FF cameras
-Zeiss Cine lenses?
Haha, I was thinking the same thing when you brought up L-Mount, the rumored full frame L-mount Blackmagic camera on the horizon. I use my Milvus lenses for video already adapted to Sony but Zeiss would easily see a spike in sales if they properly advertised them as the ultimate hybrid lenses for the discerning filmmaker once that camera comes out.
johnvanr wrote:
Yeah, they say the photography market includes regular cameras and smartphones and that they continue to be active in that market. Simple conclusion: they will continue to make lenses for smartphones but not for regular cameras.
They made the camera lenses for the new Sony ZV-1 II Vlog camera announced in May 2023...🤷🏽♂️
MKRhodes wrote:
Haha, I was thinking the same thing when you brought up L-Mount, the rumored full frame L-mount Blackmagic camera on the horizon. I use my Milvus lenses for video already adapted to Sony but Zeiss would easily see a spike in sales if they properly advertised them as the ultimate hybrid lenses for the discerning filmmaker once that camera comes out.
One can hope! Seems like it could be a good business match to me.
I've noticed that for the last few months, new Milvus lenses have been disappearing from stores in Japan, especially. An increasing number of authorized dealers no longer stock Milvus lenses. Some say, for out-of-stock Milvus lenses, that they will have to place a special order to Cosina. I got such one of the last Milvus lenses at a Japanese store. (FYI, I'm from Japan.)
At another famous store, I asked, "Is Zeiss/Cosina discontinuing the Milvus line?" The answer is yes, and the sales rep added that DSLR lenses are no longer popular.
I think, however, the disappearance of the Milvus line is slower in the U.S. market.
Map Camera and Fujiya Camera in Tokyo still have all the Milvus lenses listed, most in stock currently in both or either one (only some 35mm versions are backordered in both). Cosina hasn't announced any of them as discontinued so far. Demand could be low and they might make new batches very infrequently and perhaps shops choose not to order them anymore when they run out if they have been selling very slowly.
I'm not sure if anybody has noticed, but ZEISS has recently started to publish new YouTube-videos in their 'Zeiss Camera Lenses' -channel. This is an interesting move considering their consumer lens division has been very quiet (dead) for over four years. There are some ZEISS Ambassador videos and 'Expert Talk' -videos. The 'Expert Talk' -videos, although coming from the mobile imaging's point of view, might interesting for many:
Is ZEISS resurrecting their consumer lens business again (real camera lenses), or is this just for the Mobile Optics? Hard to say, but they seem to bring in new Ambassadors and creating some visibility for the Otus-line (is there a new Otus-lens coming?). Sadly, I don't see anything about the Batis or Loxia lens families, but I need to keep my eye on this.
Other than the Expert Talk videos might not be so interesting, but what is interesting is that they are in fact releasing these now after being silent for years. Where there is life, there is hope
Kalainen wrote:
I'm not sure if anybody has noticed, but ZEISS has recently started to publish new YouTube-videos in their 'Zeiss Camera Lenses' -channel. This is an interesting move considering their consumer lens division has been very quiet (dead) for over four years. There are some ZEISS Ambassador videos and 'Expert Talk' -videos. The 'Expert Talk' -videos, although coming from the mobile imaging's point of view, might interesting for many:
Is ZEISS resurrecting their consumer lens business again (real camera lenses), or is this just for the Mobile Optics? Hard to say, but they seem to bring in new Ambassadors and creating some visibility for the Otus-line (is there a new Otus-lens coming?). Sadly, I don't see anything about the Batis or Loxia lens families, but I need to keep my eye on this.
Other than the Expert Talk videos might not be so interesting, but what is interesting is that they are in fact releasing these now after being silent for years. Where there is life, there is hope ...Show more →
gdanmitchell wrote:
Why is “ZEISS” in all-caps rather then “Zeiss?”
Just out of old habit, nothing more. This is the way Zeiss wants it name to be written (brand guide) and having done some projects for them and written a few Lenspire articles, it has stuck on me.
I can see how some might, in forums like this, take it as a sign of emphasizing some certain brand - people are guarding brands and their position anyway (while saying often at the same time they are completely brand agnostic).
I would love to see Zeiss coming up something new, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to related to Sony system. New Loxia's could be designed so that they would function well (they should fix the old Loxias as well, I think), but I'm not seeing signs of that. I don't see new Batis lenses either (too much competition). Since Zeiss's exit Canon and Nikon has launched their succesful mirrorless pro systems, so it might be that Zeiss see's the need to offer their (Otus) lenses for those systems, just guessing...
Again, I don't know if Zeiss is going have a comeback, it's just I noticed they have been active with new videos (there are other videos as well than just the one's related to mobile optics that I linked) and would be unlikely they would invest into new videos if they wouldn't be planning something.
