mr._smith Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Konica-Minolta gets out of the camera business! http://www.dpreview.com/news/0601/06011901konicaminoltaout.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon_hickie1 Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Perhaps we should not be too surprised, given the Sony tie-up. However, it still comes as a shock when a major brand name dies! Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector Javkin Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 This is sad, not only because Konica and Minolta made important cameras in the past. Their current digital cameras, with image stabilization in the body, seem to be a wonderful tools, at least according to some of those who have used them. Sony may carry on with everything that K-M was doing, or not, but losing one of the important camera makers is likely to reduce the choices we have. The advice that is often given on photo.net, "See what camera works best in your hands," has become a bit less helpful, because there will be fewer different cameras we can put in our hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbing Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Sony only wants the dSLR models and, it appears, a new model will appear by summer. But the KM point and shoot range will be totally discontinued as of March 31. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark pav Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Wow. Sony at the helm of KM, Nikon discontinuing many film cameras, and Samsung muscling in on Pentax's territory. Digital has truly taken over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godfrey Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 I was kind of figuring a move like this might happen. KM has been in trouble financially for several years, and Sony's been itching for a DSLR entry point. Doesn't make sense to create a whole new lens mount. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I would not be at all averse to a KM DSLR with Sony sensor expertise and development money behind it. On the other hand, with Zeiss lenses coming available for Nikon F mount too, Nikons become even more interesting to me again. There's a cornucopia of possibilities... ;-) Godfrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartMoxham Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Not just cameras but paper, film and minilabs look like they will be phased out too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chulsmith Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 i wonder what will happen to the demand and prices of the KM branded cameras and accessories... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_hall1 Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 >it still comes as a shock when a major brand name dies! Make that TWO major names! Sigh. Konica (formerly Konishiroku) was the oldest Japanese camera maker. Minolta (formerly Chiyoda) also dates from the pre-WWII era. It's hard to believe they are going to join the likes of Miranda, Petri, Zunow, Topcon, etc... I snatched up a Konica Lexio 70 last year, shortly after the merger with Minolta. Now I'll have to stock up on Konica (formerly Sakura brand) film ... so very sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_hall1 Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 >I would not be at all averse to a KM DSLR with Sony sensor expertise and development money behind it. On the other hand, with Zeiss lenses coming available for Nikon F mount too, Nikons become even more interesting to me again. Those KM DSLRs will only serve as the bases from which Sony develops their own, sort of like Rollei developed their SL35 series from the Zeiss Ikon Voigtlander Icarex. The ZF lenses are manual focus. Latest promo photos do not show any electronic contacts on their mounts. Not particularly conducive to Nikon dSLRs. The EOS digital range with an F, M42 or C/Y adapter offers more compatibility with Zeiss lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr._smith Posted January 19, 2006 Author Share Posted January 19, 2006 "Samsung muscling in on Pentax's territory." Not exactly. Pentax has found a buyer for its obsolescent unsold stock for 6mp dslr. That will help Pentax bring out their own 10mp dslr with the same Sony sensor found on the Nikon D200. And look for Sony to bring out the rebadged "Konica-Minolta" 10mp dslr. Nothing is lost, nothing is gained...except a company name. NB: Obsolescent is used in a marketing pov only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew robertson Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if Pentax drops its remaining film SLRs, and miniature format DSLRs, in favor of a digital 645. If Pentax could make a full frame digital 645AF, for under $7500, they would really have something there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
des adams Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Nothings lost except the company logo? 3700 innocents will lose their jobs world wide with their dependants suffering too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alessandro locatelli Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 does anybody know if sony will continue producing lenses with the old minolta mount? i hope they will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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