Konica Minolta sees big loss, steps up restructuring

[photogdave]

Yes, Kodak does use Schneider, not Zeiss.

As some of us recall, Kodak used to make the optics under their own Ektar label for Hassleblad (1000F)...if they went into lens-making again, using Ektar and Commercial Ektar labels and meeting their historic standard of optical excellence, they could readily recapture the lensmaking lead Vs the Japanese and Germans, just as they already have with digicams (their biggest rival in digicams is Sony, not Canon/Nikon et al).

Also, I think the new dslrs with fixed lenses will meet most advanced amateur and some professional needs much better than will SLRs. We're moving deeper into an era when the camera, like the computer, is literally abandoned every couple of years by the most serious users. D70 and 20D are already yesterday's news and neither one will rival Sony's 10MP/APS/Zeiss in most important respects. If somebody HAS to have fast shootng and interchangable lenses, Sony will be happy to cede them to Nikon or Canon.

Some people seem to believe the Sony R1 will outperform Nikon/Canon DSLRs. Sorry, but no way. The Sony processor simply can not keep up and consequently the R1's images are quite noisy. More pixels in the same size sensor does not equal better image quality. That's why last year's 8 MP digicams with the Sony sensors all tanked.
As for the lens - Zeiss badging, not Zeiss building. If it was a real Zeiss lens the camera would cost $5000.
I don't think serious photographers will really go for the fixed lens DSLR. Remeber that Olympus SLR a few years back?

 

[DougK]

Some people seem to believe the Sony R1 will outperform Nikon/Canon DSLRs. Sorry, but no way. The Sony processor simply can not keep up and consequently the R1's images are quite noisy. More pixels in the same size sensor does not equal better image quality. That's why last year's 8 MP digicams with the Sony sensors all tanked.
As for the lens - Zeiss badging, not Zeiss building. If it was a real Zeiss lens the camera would cost $5000.
I don't think serious photographers will really go for the fixed lens DSLR. Remeber that Olympus SLR a few years back?

If the Sony R1 wasn't using essentially the same APS sensor as in the D2X, I'd agree with you. Speed-wise the camera doesn't appear to be in SLR territory but the lens and the sensor are both reported to be excellent even up to ISO 1600.

As for me, I prefer a single fixed lens to interchangables.

 

[Frank Granovski]

Yes, Kodak does use Schneider, not Zeiss

.

Zeiss uses Schneider/B+W/Heliopan glass. 😉

 

[ch1]

Some people seem to believe the Sony R1 will outperform Nikon/Canon DSLRs. Sorry, but no way. The Sony processor simply can not keep up and consequently the R1's images are quite noisy. More pixels in the same size sensor does not equal better image quality. That's why last year's 8 MP digicams with the Sony sensors all tanked.
As for the lens - Zeiss badging, not Zeiss building. If it was a real Zeiss lens the camera would cost $5000.
I don't think serious photographers will really go for the fixed lens DSLR. Remeber that Olympus SLR a few years back?

The problem with Zeiss badging as opposed the Zeiss building is that the former will corrupt the latter. It's the old economic axiom: the bad drives out the good.

If Zeiss thinks it can differntiate b/w its branded (made by someone else in China) lenses and its "own" built (by little gnomish lens meisters in the "old country") lenses it is travelling down a dismal path of no return.

It's happened time and time again - you cannot preserve your reputation by sullying your name!

Of course, OTOH, perhaps the Zeiss folks just want to cash out? This is the way to do it - "milk" the brand.

 

[photogdave]

If the Sony R1 wasn't using essentially the same APS sensor as in the D2X, I'd agree with you. Speed-wise the camera doesn't appear to be in SLR territory but the lens and the sensor are both reported to be excellent even up to ISO 1600.

As for me, I prefer a single fixed lens to interchangables.

Point taken. But I've tested it and seen for myself. Bad, bad noise. But even the D2X isn't great with noise compared to Canon.
But I digress, I don't want to sound like an annoying pixel-peeper! Back to my Tr-X!
Cheers,

 

[DougK]

No worries, photogdave, I've never been able to get my hands on one to look for myself. I appreciate the first-hand report.

Now to go burn a couple of rolls of Elite Chrome before the leaves all blow off the trees... 🙂

 

[photogdave]

I love Elite Chrome - especially for cross-processing! 🙂