Zeiss in Japan

[dffman2001]

Hi, can anyone help me out with a research paper I am writing on Zeiss and its investments in Japan?

Seeing the vast knowledge available here, I thought I might as well try my luck in getting some reliable information.

I am interested in Zeiss' investment activities in Japan, such as their relocation of production of Contax lenses into Japan, their cooperation with Sony, and now the new contracting of lens production to Cosina for Ikon lenses.

I know all the basics of what is happening, but does anyone have details on the arrangements of these cooperative efforts? Anyone have the book "on the trail of contax" (which I have tried to find but failed) that they can flip through to see if there are any additional details? Thanks!

 

[Doug]

Anyone have the book "on the trail of contax" (which I have tried to find but failed) that they can flip through to see if there are any additional details? Thanks!

Hi... good luck with your paper.... Here's one source:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref...rch-alias=aps&keywords=on the trail of contax

On The Trail Of The Contax Volume II: Contax History From 1945 until Today by Hans-Jurgen Kuc (Paperback - 2003)
Used & new from $67.95

On The Trail Of The Contax: Volume I: Contax History From 1932 until 1945 by Hans-Jurgen Kuc (Paperback - 2003)
Used & new from $67.95

Pricy books, just for a paper... Maybe the most valuable info here is that there are two volumes, and it’s volume II that you probably want. Published three years ago, though, and how current is his data? Surely some library has this book, and your local library should be able to arrange an inter-library loan for you.

 

[dexdog]

I know all the basics of what is happening, but does anyone have details on the arrangements of these cooperative efforts? Anyone have the book "on the trail of contax" (which I have tried to find but failed) that they can flip through to see if there are any additional details? Thanks!

Volume 2 of "On the Trail of the Contax" is gear-focused, and does not delve into the business arrangements of licensing or cooperative agreements between Zeiss and Kyocera/Yashica. I have a 2003 addition, and the most up-to-date info this book discusses is the 2000 Photokina- nothing about Cosina at all.

 

[dffman2001]

I've tried the inter-library loan thing; doesn't seem like any libraries. Don't exactly want to spend so much to get it rush delivered just for a research paper, without knowing if any of the info is useful.

As expected, zeiss refused to provide any details... in fact they questioned me suspiciously on what the info was going to be used for.

Thanks for your help!

 

[dffman2001]

Anyone with information on Leica's investments and projects in Japan? I'm not so familiar with leica (minolta and panasonic partnerships?) but this information might be useful in an industry wide analysis which might shed light on Zeiss.

Enlighten me.

 

[Mazurka]

I am interested in Zeiss' investment activities in Japan, such as their relocation of production of Contax lenses into Japan, their cooperation with Sony, and now the new contracting of lens production to Cosina for Ikon lenses.

You will find the answers at www.zeiss.de and www.zeissikon.com. (Yes I've seen them.) If you need more details, try obtaining their annual reports.

Anyway, camera business is not a major part of Zeiss' operations, even in Japan.