Zeiss is leaving the photo industry?

[Viv]

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On 6/6/2023 at 9:51 PM, Gobert said:

Zeiss makes perfect lenses. But does anyone buy them?

I have four. Work very well on my M11.

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[Alberti]

On 6/6/2023 at 6:23 PM, Keith (M) said:

Weren't the ZM lenses made under licence by Cosina?

Probably the licence that CSV HAS, continues; and HENCE I expect the product line will remain available.

Edited September 25, 2023 by Alberti

[250swb]

Unlike a few years ago there isn't really any place for Zeiss to turn in regards to 'manufacturing' M mount lenses given the price point they chose. It's a very, very competitive market boosted by the emergence of Chinese manufacturers all making excellent and interesting lenses, and Cosina with a burgeoning range of excellent and interesting lenses. And who'd have thought fifteen years ago Leica photographers would be interested in interesting lenses and not simply technical perfection? So Zeiss are caught in a no-mans-land where their cheaper (than Leica) high quality lenses are out competed by even cheaper high quality lenses. Did I buy Zeiss M lenses fifteen years ago, hell yes I did, would I buy any now, hell no.

[LocalHero1953]

In skimming this thread I'm not sure if anyone has pointed this out: whatever happens with consumer still camera lenses, Zeiss remains a major player in the high value cinema lens market (along with Leica....).

[Viv]

I still wish for a digital Zeiss Ikon rangefinder.

[jaapv]

On 6/9/2023 at 10:13 AM, Simone_DF said:

TL;DR: Zeiss is still committed to sell the current lineup. But the official marketing spin doesn't sound positive either, since they don't explicitly state they are still manufacturing or developing lenses.

https://www.dpreview.com/news/0308510095/zeiss-says-it-s-not-leaving-the-photo-industry

Actually they are - for the Cine industry. (and cell phones  )

https://www.zeiss.de/corporate/produkte-und-loesungen.html#consumer

It is not surprising that Zeiss is moving out of the consumer camera business. It is such a miniscule part of their operations, and the actual lens making was branded Voigtländer more and more anyway.

[jaapv]

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15 hours ago, Alberti said:

Probably the licence that CSV HAS, continues; and HENCE I expect the product line will remain available.

Actually the Voigtländer brand is owned by Ringfoto. We do see a shift of high quality M lens releases to Voigtländer 

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27 minutes ago, jaapv said:

Actually the Voigtländer brand is owned by Ringfoto. We do see a shift of high quality M lens releases to Voigtländer 

wiki says >

In 1999, Cosina secured partial rights to the German, once Austrian, classic camera brand "Voigtländer", acquired from RINGFOTO GmbH & Co. ALFO Marketing KG in Germany, to produce the Classic Collection (high-quality lenses with both M39 screw thread and Leica M bayonet, 35mm film cameras Bessa R, Bessa L, Bessa T, and medium format cameras Bessa III)

[jaapv]

Cosina leases the Voigtländer brand, much like Leica does. 
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosina_Voigtländer

[hoppyman]

this is from the Zeiss Australia website just now. It is relevant in Australia only. I don't know anything about the global situation. Australia is the reported source of the initial post on which this thread is based.
The Australian Distributor is/was CR Kennedy who still show their photographic products on their website currently.
Photograph & film

Photography fans rely on lenses by ZEISS to capture unforgettable moments. ZEISS lenses were even there for the Moon landing.

The products are currently not offered in your country. If you are interested in our products, please get in contact with us.

Photography (global website)

Edited December 1, 2023 by hoppyman
clarifying comment

[Alberti]

On 6/8/2023 at 4:16 PM, Winedemonium said:

..and the short-lived 85mm/2.0 Sonnar-ZM - was also made in Germany. (Lovely lens - it's the one I've held on to).

If the rumour of demise is correct, the pity to lose also their optical viewfinders - I prefer my large 21mm and 25/28mm Zeiss versions to anything I have tried from Leica.

 

I saw this Zeiss 85mm ZM on the Bay for $ 6K.

With such a pricetag they could stay on the market and spend 25% of earnings on marketing. They would be able to stay profitable. 

[lct]

They would have to sell for that. As much as i like my ZM lenses i would not buy a Sonnar 85/2 at a higher price tag than a Summicron 90/2 apo.

Edited February 26, 2024 by lct

[RexGig0]

On 2/26/2024 at 5:34 AM, lct said:

As much as i like my ZM lenses i would not buy a Sonnar 85/2 at a higher price tag than a Summicron 90/2 apo.

I agree! For a while, I had occasionally searched for pre-owned Sonnar f/2 85mm lenses, on the evil bay, but stopped doing that, some time ago. Price was a reason, but, I also saw anecdotes of these lenses needing internal repair, even if handled quite carefully*, and became wary of that. Zeiss was still repairing them, but, I was concerned that support would not continue, indefinitely. Ultimately, I simply realized that it was folly to acquire an overly-expensive 85mm ZM, when I had a Zeiss 85mm Otus ZF.2, for the Nikon F mount. (My wife and I share a number of Nikon F-mount lenses. She is a dedicated Nikon shooter, so, we are not quitting Nikon.)

*There were also anecdotes of the first Zeiss Otus lens, the 55mm f/1.4, tending to need internal repair, and credible accounts of Zeiss having strengthened the internal parts of subsequent Otus lenses, to make them less vulnerable to damage when being shipped, and carried about. 

Edited March 6, 2024 by RexGig0

[RexGig0]

On the original topic of Zeiss exiting the general photography industry, I just checked the B&H web site, as I occasionally do, and found renewed stock of some specific Zeiss ZM lenses, that provides continuing indication Zeiss has not yet abandoned the entire ZM line. While this is not absolute proof of continued production, the number of times that I have noticed the Distagon 35mm ZM and Biogon 25mm ZM showing to be back-ordered, and then again available for purchase, indicates that there are folks buying these lenses, new, and that a continuing distribution is coming from somewhere.

I have another expensive hobby, which is not within the forum rules to specifically discuss. A manufacturer of products, that I favor, will keep some products in its catalogue, which are rarely available. Every now and then, a production run will occur. The products will arrive at dealers, and will soon be sold. Rarity keeps demand high. Unsold inventory is bad for business.

 

Edited March 6, 2024 by RexGig0

[Viv]

On 3/6/2024 at 5:27 PM, RexGig0 said:

On the original topic of Zeiss exiting the general photography industry, I just checked the B&H web site, as I occasionally do, and found renewed stock of some specific Zeiss ZM lenses, that provides continuing indication Zeiss has not yet abandoned the entire ZM line. While this is not absolute proof of continued production, the number of times that I have noticed the Distagon 35mm ZM and Biogon 25mm ZM showing to be back-ordered, and then again available for purchase, indicates that there are folks buying these lenses, new, and that a continuing distribution is coming from somewhere.

I have another expensive hobby, which is not within the forum rules to specifically discuss. A manufacturer of products, that I favor, will keep some products in its catalogue, which are rarely available. Every now and then, a production run will occur. The products will arrive at dealers, and will soon be sold. Rarity keeps demand high. Unsold inventory is bad for business.

 

Do you refer to Rolex?

[RexGig0]

14 hours ago, Viv said:

Do you refer to Rolex?

No, and, I was not referring to any watches. I am not nearly wealthy enough for Rolex watches to be a “hobby.” I could hope to buy one pre-owned Rolex, if I wanted to dedicate enough to that goal. I did buy a pre-owned, reconditioned Omega Seamaster, once upon a time, but then I became serious about photography, and noticed that my watch and camera were scratching each other.

Edited November 3, 2024 by RexGig0

[Viv]

8 hours ago, RexGig0 said:

No, and, I was not referring to any watches. I am not nearly wealthy enough for Rolex watches to be a “hobby.” I could hope to buy one pre-owned Rolex, if I wanted to dedicate enough to that goal. I did buy a pre-owned, reconditioned Omega Seamaster, once upon a time, but then I became serious about photography, and noticed that my watch and camera were scratching each other.

Just a guess, on my part.

[jpark114]

Well no wonder since Zeiss presence in photography is minimal at best.  However,  their optic technology plays a critical role in lithography machines...lots of money there..  

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Hallo,

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[Rich1]

Hope they continue the lens cleaning fluid

[Einst_Stein]

I have mixed feeling about Zeiss lenses. 

Back to the Hasselblad V, I admire Zeiss lenses very very highly, untill the  Caf 50mm, which developed a rattling backslash. Feels low quality manufacturing. It get worse on my ZM 25mm and ZM 35mm. The optical performance is excellent.

The lenses on Contax 645 (almost everyone) and Contax N (17-35mm zoom) are good, except Contax 645 120mm lens also developed rattling backslash. Yet optically C645 120mm is one of my most favorite lens. The worst Zeiss I had was the lenses by and for Sony A7Rii. I am glad the Sony system was stolen! It made me fully appeaciate the difference between Zeiss and Leica M. 

Recently after acquired Thypoch and Laowa lenses for M240, I do not miss any Zeiss FF lenses. But my C645 and Hasselblad V lenses will stay with me.

Edited January 6 by Einst_Stein