BJP Article: Leica Acquires Sinar
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burancap
Veteran
At first I thought: Hmmm... shoulda' invested in getting product out the door! However, after considering the current state of affairs in the MF/LF world, this might actually be an interesting move.
noisycheese
Normal(ish) Human
+1.
Now that Leica has Sinar, what are they going to do with it? That is the question du jour.
This may be a marketing gambit on Leica's part. By compairison, the prices of large format digital cameras will make the 24x36mm digital M cameras seem like a bargain.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
The article mentions Sinar getting in trouble four years ago when "medium format camera maker Franke & Heidecke" went under. So I thought F&H had been gone for decades; can someone clarify?
Frank Petronio
Well-known
Sinar and whatever Rollei was... developed the Hy6 medium format SLR... which very few were made but had to be expensive to develop since they involved more than just hardware.
My impression is that once dominant Sinar must be down to a few guys in a chalet, like Sietz or Alpa. I have never heard of anyone actually buying a Sinar P3 and while you can pick up a new P2 for $11k, you can also pick up a mint used one for 10%.
Still it's a nice roll-up of great brand names... Linhof next? They're the better, more Leica-like camera.
My impression is that once dominant Sinar must be down to a few guys in a chalet, like Sietz or Alpa. I have never heard of anyone actually buying a Sinar P3 and while you can pick up a new P2 for $11k, you can also pick up a mint used one for 10%.
Still it's a nice roll-up of great brand names... Linhof next? They're the better, more Leica-like camera.
kbg32
neo-romanticist
"More than seven years after it tried to take control of Sinar, Leica has finally achieved its goal, finalising on Monday its acquisition of the Swiss camera manufacturer.
"Sinar Photography AG is [a] manufacturer of equipment for professional view camera photography and the only provider in this segment to offer complete digital solutions for view camera photographers," claims Leica in a press statement. "The Sinar product portfolio offers everything from cameras and lenses to digital backs, shutter systems and workflow software."
As part of the deal, marketing, product management, support, development and
production will remain in the hands of Sinar in Switzerland, with sales and distribution
of the product portfolio handled by Leica and Sinar's worldwide dealer network.
"With this takeover, Leica Camera AG completes the company's portfolio in the high-end digital camera segment and further expands its position in the market for professional photographic equipment," says Leica, which expects Sinar's product portfolio to complete its S system. "This system is now ideally complemented by the modular Sinar system and its particular suitability for studio, industrial and architectural photography. Synergies will also develop in the fields of digital technology, sales and distribution and in customer care."
It adds: "Leica now possesses a complete product portfolio from a medium format digital camera system to digital view cameras and, as a result of the takeover, is now the only full range provider of digital camera systems in formats larger than the 35
mm Leica full-frame format."
Four years ago, Sinar found itself in troubled waters after medium format camera maker Franke & Heidecke went under, killing its line of 6X6 cameras."
"Sinar Photography AG is [a] manufacturer of equipment for professional view camera photography and the only provider in this segment to offer complete digital solutions for view camera photographers," claims Leica in a press statement. "The Sinar product portfolio offers everything from cameras and lenses to digital backs, shutter systems and workflow software."
As part of the deal, marketing, product management, support, development and
production will remain in the hands of Sinar in Switzerland, with sales and distribution
of the product portfolio handled by Leica and Sinar's worldwide dealer network.
"With this takeover, Leica Camera AG completes the company's portfolio in the high-end digital camera segment and further expands its position in the market for professional photographic equipment," says Leica, which expects Sinar's product portfolio to complete its S system. "This system is now ideally complemented by the modular Sinar system and its particular suitability for studio, industrial and architectural photography. Synergies will also develop in the fields of digital technology, sales and distribution and in customer care."
It adds: "Leica now possesses a complete product portfolio from a medium format digital camera system to digital view cameras and, as a result of the takeover, is now the only full range provider of digital camera systems in formats larger than the 35
mm Leica full-frame format."
Four years ago, Sinar found itself in troubled waters after medium format camera maker Franke & Heidecke went under, killing its line of 6X6 cameras."
Rangefinderfreak
Well-known
In last Photokina Sinar was showing great prototypes for technical cameras, using Hasselblad V series CFV digital backs. Now hassy V series is gone.. SO ?? Leica jumps in with its new european based sensor manufacturer ( new leicas, both M and S , have a Belgian made, but Leica designed sensors) In short time, I guess, we have a leica designed new technical camera with a big leica designed sensor, using Sinar lenses & shutters.
Hugely expensive, of course, but those guys, shooting architecture and cars can afford them. To me this sounds like a death song for HASSELBLAD...
Hugely expensive, of course, but those guys, shooting architecture and cars can afford them. To me this sounds like a death song for HASSELBLAD...
noisycheese
Normal(ish) Human
JMHO but I hope to see Hasselblad persevere.
It was a travesty when the XPAN II went extinct. It was a black day in the world of photography when the venerable V system foundered.
I'd hate to see the entire Hasselblad company slip beneath the waves... 🙁
It was a travesty when the XPAN II went extinct. It was a black day in the world of photography when the venerable V system foundered.
I'd hate to see the entire Hasselblad company slip beneath the waves... 🙁
Frank Petronio
Well-known
The might not be much more expensive than the S-line. A view camera needs to be precise but it is still relatively simple compared to an SLR body. Current Sinars use Rodenstock or Schneider lenses, hopefully Leica designs a system that retains the ability to use third-party lenses. Similar Alpa and Linhof bodies are in the $10k range, plus back and lenses.
FWIW the S is less expensive than the top Blad or Phase cameras, only the Leica lenses are more expensive.
FWIW the S is less expensive than the top Blad or Phase cameras, only the Leica lenses are more expensive.
Rangefinderfreak
Well-known
A technical camera, what Sinar is, is a precision tool, especially with Digital back...
If you look at their product portofolio at Sinar.com it is apparent that the "system" is nowdays a precision body with Micrometre adjustments, the lens (third party) and a digital back ( also third party) when you substitute the "third party" with LEICA Brand, what you have ? All leica product with user profile much like the "S" Series... They already state that the marketing and support will be from leica, from the new factory in Wetzlar. With leica already in movie lens business, it is not a big step to jump into studio/technical camera/lens business.
If you look at their product portofolio at Sinar.com it is apparent that the "system" is nowdays a precision body with Micrometre adjustments, the lens (third party) and a digital back ( also third party) when you substitute the "third party" with LEICA Brand, what you have ? All leica product with user profile much like the "S" Series... They already state that the marketing and support will be from leica, from the new factory in Wetzlar. With leica already in movie lens business, it is not a big step to jump into studio/technical camera/lens business.
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