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Sinar and Leica BFF now

robertwright

New member
Leica Camera AG and Jenoptik lock cooperative contract.
Jena and Solms, 17 June 2008
The existing co-operation of the partners within the range digital image processing is continued to intensify. Know-how bundled for highest requirements for customer.
The Leica Camera AG and the JENOPTIK AG announces that the Leica Camera AG and that locked optical systems of the Jenoptik company belonging division to the section digitally Imaging a contract over long-term co-operation consisting in the range of the development, integration, the production as well as supply from building groups to the digital image processing of optoelectronics and software.
“Leica is a prominent manufacturer of similar and digital camera systems and our products stands world-wide for highest requirements in the technology, quality and reliability,” in such a way Dr. Andreas buyer, chairman of the board of the LEICA Camera AG to the intensification of the co-operation of both enterprises. In the course of the market tendency Leica intends to integrate particularly digital technique and optoelectronics further into existing and future cameras and to further develop thus the prominent position in the Premium segment. “With the Jenoptik have we for it a reliable partner, which possesses the necessary experience, around the high requirements of our customers fairly to become”, so Dr. Andreas buyer further.
Comprehensive Produktportfolio in the division digitally Imaging.
The Jenoptik division digitally Imaging is on the development and manufacturing of high speed image processing systems specialized. The components and systems in the professional digital photography, in the microscopy, here among other things for Life Sciences applications and in the biotechnology, as well as in the industrial measuring technique and road safety find employment. The product spectrum reaches from electronic building groups and software to the image processing over digital camera systems up to customized complete plants, for example for the particle measuring technique. Dr. Dirk Rothweiler, director/conductor of the Jenoptik section optical systems: “We are pleased over the intensification of the partnership with Leica, since them prove again that we become with our division digitally Imaging highest requirements for customer fair.”
To “we can offer the bundled authority of both enterprises our customer with the partnership”, supplement Wolfgang cellar, director/conductor of the Jenoptik division digitally Imaging. The division belongs within to 1 January 2008 the introduced new section structure of the Jenoptik company to the section optical systems.
Leica Camera AG
 

Terry

New member
Here is another translation that is a bit easier to read:

(lifepr) Jena/Solms, 17.06.2008 - LEICA Camera AG and JENOPTIK AG have announced that Leica Camera AG and the Digital Imaging business unit forming part of the Jenoptik Group's Optical Systems division have concluded an agreement for long-term cooperation in the area of the development, integration, manufacture and supply of digital imaging components comprising optoelectronics and software.

"Leica is a leading manufacturer of analogue and digital camera systems and our products are synonymous worldwide with the highest standards in terms of technology, quality and reliability" says Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Chairman of the Management Board of LEICA Camera AG, commenting on the intensification of the collaboration between the two companies. During the course of the market development Leica intends to further integrate digital technology and optoelectronics in particular into its existing and future cameras and in this way further expand its position as a leader in the premium segment. "In Jenoptik we have a reliable partner for this purpose, one which has the necessary experience in order to meet the stringent requirements demanded by our customers" continues Dr. Andreas Kaufmann.

Comprehensive product portfolio in the Digital Imaging business unit.

Jenoptik's Digital Imaging business unit specializes in the development and manufacture of high-performance imaging systems. The components and systems are used in professional, digital photography, microscopy, including, amongst others, for applications in the field of life sciences and in biotechnology, as well as in industrial metrology and traffic solutions. The product range extends from electronic assemblies and software for imaging, to digital camera systems, up to client-specific total systems, e.g. for particle metrology. Dr. Dirk Rothweiler, Head of the Jenoptik Optical Systems division: "We are pleased to be further deepening the partnership with Leica since this provides further proof of the fact that through our Digital Imaging business unit we are meeting the stringent requirements demanded by our customers".

"The partnership enables us to offer our customers the combined expertise of both companies" adds Wolfgang Keller, Head of the Jenoptik Digital Imaging business unit. This business unit forms part of the Optical Systems division within the new Jenoptik Group divisional structure which was introduced with effect from January 1, 2008.

About Leica Camera AG

Leica Camera AG is an international company operating in the optical industry, with headquarters in Solms, Germany and a second location in Portugal. All the products from the three areas of photography, hunting lenses and field observation have one task in common: to create a better image. The product range covers a broad selection of cameras for photography, projectors for reproducing images, binoculars, scopes and distance measurement equipment for observation. These are the lenses upon which the fabled Leica brand is founded - handy, compact, practical precision lenses for analogue and digital photography. Thanks to targeted investment in the manufacture of aspheric lenses, over a period of many years the company has accumulated a broad range of know-how from the manufacture, optical calculation, measurement technology used, right up to the lens design and assembly of aspheric lens systems.

All Leica cameras and lenses, all projectors, binoculars, scopes and laser distance measurement devices are the result of years of experience, uncompromisingly high standards of quality as well as continuous further development through international innovation teams comprising specialists and users - created in the high-tech laboratory and Leica's manufacturing facility. Top quality materials, combined with reliable precision mechanics and meticulous manufacture guarantee to create brilliant images. Last but not least, Leica's After-Sales Service ensures that Leica represents decades of product enjoyment and lasting value.
 

stephengilbert

Active member
"Last but not least, Leica's After-Sales Service ensures that Leica represents decades of product enjoyment and lasting value."

They've done well by me, but I can imagine some people questioning the quality of Leica's After Sales Service.
 

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
A match made in heaven... assuming you are a conglomerate wanting to offer the highest quality equipment --- and also excel at prolonged customer service turn-around times and deferred product upgrade cycles.
 

Guy Mancuso

Administrator, Instructor
Sinar uses Dalsa , Leica uses Kodak now who will win this contract. Good news(maybe) but i want to hear the road map and who is going to do what.

What this does not tell is how much they will partner on one or many projects and products . Not excited until I hear any real news what is going to happen down the road.
 

dfarkas

Workshop Member
It's no secret that Jenoptik worked with Leica on developing the M8 (with a Kodak CCD). And many might remember that at the last Photokina Leica attempted to buy a controlling interest in Sinar.

This news comes as no surprise to me. Leica doesn't want another situation like the one they had with Imacon and the DMR. Great partner initially, then left Leica high and dry after the merger with Hassy. My guess is that they are contractually trying to keep the partnership with Sinar/Jenoptik through the next few product introductions (R10, M9, ??, etc.). At least until they (Leica) can bring some of this digtial image processing expertise in house and reduce dependence on outside partners.

David
 

jonoslack

Active member
My guess is that they are contractually trying to keep the partnership with Sinar/Jenoptik through the next few product introductions (R10, M9, ??, etc.). At least until they (Leica) can bring some of this digtial image processing expertise in house and reduce dependence on outside partners.

David
Hi David
I agree with most of what you say, but I would have thought it pretty inconceivable that Leica could have the in-house image processing expertise required to reduce dependence on outside partners.

This is a welcome announcement though - it seems like they are slowly pulling things together after the recent hiatus.
 

jonoslack

Active member
Terry - thanks for the comprehensible translation.
Jack & Guy - do you have any Leica stuff left? I can imagine that it would seem pretty dispensable in the quest for MF.
 

jonoslack

Active member
Yes we have some but trying to get a more permanent kit from Leica for the workshops.
Will you get rid of your personal stuff then? (or is that a leading question!)

It seems to me that if you're shooting MF for when you want maximum quality, and a dSLR for when you want maximum flexibility, then all that's left is travel, and a D300 (even better a D3 sized FF camera) with a couple of zeiss lenses will do that job okay.
 

dfarkas

Workshop Member
Hi David
I agree with most of what you say, but I would have thought it pretty inconceivable that Leica could have the in-house image processing expertise required to reduce dependence on outside partners.

Jono,

I didn't say that they had them now, but that they are trying to move in that direction. Leica (Kaufmann) has already made it clear that they are working to bring in the needed personnel to do more and more in house with regards to digital. Leica already has the very best optics designers (and mechanical engineers) and are now actively trying to attract similiar caliber of imaging and s/w engineers. They acknowledge that digital is the future, so why not try to do more in house and reduce their reliance on outside vendors?

David
 

jonoslack

Active member
Jono,

I didn't say that they had them now, but that they are trying to move in that direction. Leica (Kaufmann) has already made it clear that they are working to bring in the needed personnel to do more and more in house with regards to digital. Leica already has the very best optics designers (and mechanical engineers) and are now actively trying to attract similiar caliber of imaging and s/w engineers. They acknowledge that digital is the future, so why not try to do more in house and reduce their reliance on outside vendors?

David
HI David
Well, I'm glad to hear it - certainly the trickle of announcements over the last few months seem more positive and workmanlike and less glitzy. I still wonder whether they will be able to invest enough in software in house to be able to compete with the likes of Nikon. Only time will tell.
 

robmac

Well-known member
Sounds like a reasonable long-term plan, will be interesting to see what, if anything, gets produced in the short-term.

There is a thread on the LUF quoting some EU Leica exec (IIRC) basically saying at Photokina (I'm paraphrasing): no new R glass, R10 if makes an appearance, in mockup only (jives with Kaufmann's "hint" verbiage) - so R10 another year+ away, etc.

Personally, I expect the R line, which currently sees no marketing focus or essentially any mention put on it by Leica, will essentially be allowed to quietly die as the firm continues to focus all it's efforts and new relationship(s) into improving the digital M concept.
 

Guy Mancuso

Administrator, Instructor
No R10 actually at the show ready to deliver. Sorry that is really bad news if that is the case. There are many people sitting on R glass EXPECTING a camera NOW. Not another year away. I really hope that is not the case. They need it today not a promise for the future. I keep hearing go to the show and be surprised well i am not booking any flight on speculation. I need reality products
 

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
Terry - thanks for the comprehensible translation.
Jack & Guy - do you have any Leica stuff left? I can imagine that it would seem pretty dispensable in the quest for MF.
Hi Jono:

I still have a full M8 system, though am shedding one of my extra bodies. All the gear is my own as I have no Leica permanent loaners -- we only get that gear just prior to each workshop and have to return it immediately afterward. The M8 remains my preferred camera for street and travel, which I hope to be doing even more of in the coming years :) While digital MF is the cat's meow for landscape, product and studio, it is a bit of a chunk to carry for travel shots. I can and have done it, but prefer the smaller cameras for those venues. But FTR, I would carry the Mamiya outfit before a pro-size DSLR like the 1Ds3 or D3 -- IMO they are just too close in weight and size so might as well have all the benefits of the MF outfit.

Cheers,
 

robmac

Well-known member
Guy - concur. Far too much contradictory info from Leica sources - all supposedly 'legit'.

I don't want to be the glass 1/2 empty dude, but given the business realities of the two (photo) markets, they're in (one they own, the other they are coming from behind to take on two, maybe soon three, titans), the utter lack of public focus by Leica on any R products (hit the website and you have to go looking for any mention of an R camera), the mention by Kaufmann of a 'hint' at 'Kina, etc - my gut is telling me don't hold your breath.

Long-term with partners, you never know. Leica is smart enough to know that rushing a half-assed R10 to market would be suicide. Better to wait, or let the segment go, then try to roll-out an iffy 'me too' product. They'll only get one kick at the DSLR can.

Hey, maybe they'll pull off a shocker in Sept., but if it were real, a smoldering build-up via leaks and teasers would better ensure it doesn't get lost in the flood of Photokina press releases.
 

Guy Mancuso

Administrator, Instructor
I certainly hope they have something and make some really good decisions and listen to photographers and not the engineers on what to bring to market. I agree they have one shot and only one shot at the DSLR market and they better nail it correctly because Nikon is up everyones skirt right now. And who knows what Canon is got up there sleeve and the MF market the prices are becoming more competitive. My MF system is actually cheaper than my whole DMR system was in total costs. That is a scary thought for DSLR companies. My original M8 system was more too.
 
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