I Thought Zeiss was Bringing Back The Contax Brand

[xxfellinixx]

I heard Contax was coming back after the contract officially ended with Kyocera. Does anyone have news?

I'm waiting for a New Contax Digital Camera.

Thank you kindly!!

 

[gavinlg]

Never say never, but it's been dead silent on the contax front for a long time now.

 

[sevo]

I heard Contax was coming back after the contract officially ended with Kyocera.

Well, some people on the net suggested that it would be a smart idea. But the brand never was owned by Carl Zeiss AG. Accordingly it will probably have reverted to Assa Abloy Sicherheitstechnik (the result of a merger of lock and alarm systems companies including the former Zeiss Ikon), which has no more ties to Carl Zeiss AG or the Zeiss foundation - so they might have to negotiate for the rights.

 

[bwcolor]

Lots of heavy duty competition in a very high tech market. I wouldn't hold my breath on this one. It would take more than a name recognized by a few to break into this market. Never say never..but improbable.

 

[xxfellinixx]

Please tell me which camera I should Buy... I wanted to get a Zeiss Ikon film camera but I want to go digital... I've heard Fuji X Pro and Sony NEX6 or 7... What is a good way to go? I appreciate your input. Leica M9 is a bit out of my budget for now

 

[veraikon]

I heard Contax was coming back after the contract officially ended with Kyocera. Does anyone have news?

me too. But the rumour was from late 2010 /early 2011. The best indication that Carl Zeiss didn´t celebarte the 85th anniversary of the Contax this July. I was at the Zeiss Museum at Oberkochen in June this year and asked several persons in charge if they would do something (special exhibition e.g.) for this anniversary. The answer was nothing is planned.

 

[veraikon]

Well, some people on the net suggested that it would be a smart idea. But the brand never was owned by Carl Zeiss AG. Accordingly it will probably have reverted to Assa Abloy Sicherheitstechnik (the result of a merger of lock and alarm systems companies including the former Zeiss Ikon), which has no more ties to Carl Zeiss AG or the Zeiss foundation - so they might have to negotiate for the rights.

???? The brand Contax is owned by Carl Zeiss. The use was till End of 2010 at Kyocera, then the right of use fell back.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Zeiss does own the Contax brand, and has given thought to reviving it. Not necessarily, however, with either 35mm or FF digi, and not necessarily at the moment. It's a question of finding the right design and the right manufacturing partner.

Cheers,

R.

 

[xxfellinixx]

Sevo? where did you get this info? Carl Zeiss owns the Contax Brand. Google her!!

 

[sevo]

???? The brand "Contax" is owned by Carl Zeiss. The use was till End if 2010 at Kyocera, then the right of use fell back.

Before it was licensed to Yashica, Contax was (and always had been) a brand of Zeiss Ikon. Why would it now be a brand of Carl Zeiss AG? The brand may, after the dissolution of Zeiss Ikon AG, have reverted to the foundation, or the license to use Zeiss Ikon for cameras might include its sub-brands - but whatever there is must be a fair deal more complex than a reversal to Carl Zeiss.

 

[Tom Diaz]

Please tell me which camera I should Buy... I wanted to get a Zeiss Ikon film camera but I want to go digital... I've heard Fuji X Pro and Sony NEX6 or 7... What is a good way to go? I appreciate your input. Leica M9 is a bit out of my budget for now

If I weren't already so much into Leica equipment I would get a Fuji X-Pro 1. Wonderful finder system and lenses. I haven't used one yet, but that's the pick I would make based on features.

I personally like the looks of the newly announced Leica M-E, and it's $1500 less than an M9 with the same image quality....

Tom

PS I had a ZI film camera for a while, and it was great. If you liked its excellent finder that'd be a reason to like the Fuji.

 

[Highway 61]

Before it was licensed to Yashica, Contax was (and always had been) a brand of Zeiss Ikon. Why would it now be a brand of Carl Zeiss AG? The brand may, after the dissolution of Zeiss Ikon AG, have reverted to the foundation, or the license to use Zeiss Ikon for cameras might include its sub-brands - but whatever there is must be a fair deal more complex than a reversal to Carl Zeiss.

I do agree.

I have noticed some Contax lockers and keys somewhere already so the Assa Abloy Sicherheitstechnik may have used the Contax brand at some point.

Anyway the Contax brand name is also used like this and like that.

So this is not something really well copyrighted/patented.

 

[EdwardKaraa]

Contax name will always be associated with the doomed partnership with Yashica/Kyocera. Zeiss is now more recognized and if they ever make their own cameras and own mount, it will be under the Zeiss appellation. The only scenario I can imagine is some electronics company comes to beg Zeiss to license the Contax name and gives them a great deal.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Contax name will always be associated with the doomed partnership with Yashica/Kyocera. Zeiss is now more recognized and if they ever make their own cameras and own mount, it will be under the Zeiss appellation. The only scenario I can imagine is some electronics company comes to beg Zeiss to license the Contax name and gives them a great deal.

No. Source: Zeiss.

Cheers,

R.