contax

Cosina is the new Contax, sort of

Clear statement from Zeiss - now with the ZF system. Cosina takes on the role of Kyocera - including the production of Zeiss lenses. And parallel to ZF, there will also be ZS - M42 lenses. However, the use of M42 lenses on Canon EOS cameras is quite boring, as there is no aperture function. With ZF, the full status of manual Nikon lenses should hopefully be supported.

Hmm. I think I need to take a look at the D200 with a manual lens to see if it's possible to achieve usable focusing. With the EOS, it simply doesn't work - at least not with the 10D or 20D, as these do not allow changing the focusing screens and the AF indicator does not work with lenses connected via adapter. On the tiny focusing screens of the AF-digitals, you can't focus by focusing screen at all - completely unusable for critical situations, where focusing estimation by scale is still more precise ...

Actually, this would be exactly my dream system - a solid, robust camera with decent focusing aid, something around 8 MP in the chip and in front of it the Zeiss lenses that I like very much.

Contax – RIP or Resurrection - Thoughts on what could happen to Contax after Kyocera's withdrawal. Specifically, the 645 system is mentioned here, as it was allegedly developed by Zeiss and Kyocera was only the manufacturer - if this is the case, Zeiss could find another partner for production. Unfortunately, the 645 system is beyond good and evil for most financial possibilities ...

It is now official: Contax brand comes to an end. No sale to another, no continuation - the name Contax as a camera brand is gone from the market for now. Maybe Zeiss (who probably own the name Contax themselves and only licensed it) will find someone else for it - the Contax rangefinder camera (not the G series, but the new one based on the Voigtländer device) already has another partner. But the Contax we have known since the late 70s is now history.

Contax sale

For the Münster locals: Köster near the train station is selling Contax N1 equipment (bodies, lenses) at quite good prices. These are likely remainder stock from the dissolution of Contax Germany. Since Kyocera is exiting the photography business and thus Contax is at an end for now, this could be the last opportunity to acquire one or the other lens. The lenses are manufactured by Zeiss and also serviced by Zeiss...

Kyocera to end camera production

Kyocera to end camera production - so now we have the first confirmation from Kyocera itself. Maybe it will be continued by someone else, but whether the product range will survive is rather questionable - at best the name will be of interest to others.

Kyocera Hamburg at the End?

Jutta just told me this: according to photoscala, Kycera Hamburg has issued termination notices to all employees. There have been rumors about Kyocera's exit from the photo sector for several weeks now. It would be a real shame if the name Contax disappeared from the camera world - I still associate Contax with high-quality equipment with a little extra something special.

For owners of a Contax N1, this is of course particularly bitter: the N-System was only introduced a few years ago and is by no means fully developed - and with the high-tech monsters, service is no longer affordable at every field-forest-and-meadow service center. Even with my RTS III and the vacuum pressure plate, it's difficult to get service if there are any problems with the camera.