XXXGRAPENUTSXXX
Established
Will Zeiss Revive and Renew the Contax Brand for both SLR and G Series?
flipflop
Well-known
Hmmm...this has been covered...I have prayed myself, but I dont think so!
bobofish
Two-fisted Atom Smasher
Although the lenses and the name belong to Zeiss, there is both an existing contract in place, and will continue to be in place for "several years" unless there is a buyout.
Also however, and perhaps much more importantly, only the lenses are Zeiss's designs, all the technologies in the G-series and such are Kyocera developed, and hence owned.
Again, pending a buyout, those technologies will go with Kyocera to the grave.
Thus, it is unlikely that Zeiss will be spending the many millions necessary to revive a brand that while prestigious, would probablly not be profitable barring a good digital sensor.
Also however, and perhaps much more importantly, only the lenses are Zeiss's designs, all the technologies in the G-series and such are Kyocera developed, and hence owned.
Again, pending a buyout, those technologies will go with Kyocera to the grave.
Thus, it is unlikely that Zeiss will be spending the many millions necessary to revive a brand that while prestigious, would probablly not be profitable barring a good digital sensor.
O
Oldprof
Guest
I have mixed feelings about these "brand revivals." Contax made its reputation as a Zeiss product. What does it mean when the "Contax" label is put on a modern Kyocera camera fabricated in Japan? Does the stellar Contax reputation of the 1930s rub off on the plasticized product of 21st century? Is a Cosina Bessa really a Voigtlander? Cosina made capable cameras before acquiring the rights to the Voigtlander name, but it was generally considered to be a second tier camera manufacturer by the public. Does the Voigtlander name boost it to the first tier?
To be fair, the modern "Contax" and "Voigtlander" cameras made by Kyocera and Cosina are probably capable of making first-rate images. But why should they need the aura and prestige of older, declining European marques to boost their reputations?
To be fair, the modern "Contax" and "Voigtlander" cameras made by Kyocera and Cosina are probably capable of making first-rate images. But why should they need the aura and prestige of older, declining European marques to boost their reputations?
Last edited by a moderator:
bobofish
Two-fisted Atom Smasher
Marketing and brand recognition.
Most people don't really do their shopping based on quality or features, although that is changing somewhat with the internet revolution of the past years.
Names are drummed into you through advertising of all kinds, including sponsorships of your favorite photographers, or your knowledge of what equipment a photographer used.
People are always looking for an easy step up, and often that means they will emulate their idols, or at least fall prey to advertising. After all, how many repetitions equal one truth? According to Goebbels, it was 50, according to Huxley it was something like 40,000.
Why on earth would you buy a "Mercedes" bicycle, when you can get a better one from Haro for less money, and more features? The recognition of the brand, and of course the ubiquitous desire to have "status." Only a bike enthusiast, and even then a fairly knowledgeable one would know the name Haro.
We sometime-Luddites are a bit more immune to these things than many other people, but we fall prey as well. What if you heard a rumor that Xiktmol film, a brand new product, was so good it was silly, and had finer resolution and grain than Ilford Kodak or Fuji? You might go into the store, but chances are, you will reach your hand out for the name you know and trust, just like mother's milk.
Most people don't really do their shopping based on quality or features, although that is changing somewhat with the internet revolution of the past years.
Names are drummed into you through advertising of all kinds, including sponsorships of your favorite photographers, or your knowledge of what equipment a photographer used.
People are always looking for an easy step up, and often that means they will emulate their idols, or at least fall prey to advertising. After all, how many repetitions equal one truth? According to Goebbels, it was 50, according to Huxley it was something like 40,000.
Why on earth would you buy a "Mercedes" bicycle, when you can get a better one from Haro for less money, and more features? The recognition of the brand, and of course the ubiquitous desire to have "status." Only a bike enthusiast, and even then a fairly knowledgeable one would know the name Haro.
We sometime-Luddites are a bit more immune to these things than many other people, but we fall prey as well. What if you heard a rumor that Xiktmol film, a brand new product, was so good it was silly, and had finer resolution and grain than Ilford Kodak or Fuji? You might go into the store, but chances are, you will reach your hand out for the name you know and trust, just like mother's milk.
F
Frank Granovski
Guest
Except for cell phone cams, it was made clear that Kyocera is getting out of the camera business altogether, and quickly. Actually, they dropped the Zeiss partnership like a hot potato. I really don't know why because they made some damn good cameras under the Contax name. 
Last edited:
jaap
Jaap
Frank Granovski said:Except for cell phone cams, it was made clear that Kyocera is getting out of the camera business altogether, and quickly. Actually, they dropped the Zeiss partnership like a hot potato. I really don't know why because they made some damn good cameras under the Contax name.
I think Contax was (is) the best 35mm SLR brand. But no one bought it !
That's why Kyocera quit production. I think there's still a lot of new Contax stuff in warehouses in Japan!!
F
Frank Granovski
Guest
If that's the case, they should strike a deal with say B&H so that they can get rid of the stuff.