Konica-Minolta sold to SONY!--big news!!!

[canon5D]

most of KM lens not made by minolta at all, they are made by Tamron (OEM) who also make a lots for NIKON!

And Sony also have a share in Tamron (Tamron made R1's 28-200 "carl zeiss" lens !)

so complicated relationships between KM, Tamron, Sony, Nikon!

 

[TME]

most of KM lens not made by minolta at all, they are made by Tamron (OEM) who also make a lots for NIKON!

And Sony also have a share in Tamron (Tamron made R1's 28-200 "carl zeiss" lens !)

so complicated relationships between KM, Tamron, Sony, Nikon!

Note the difference between license and manufacture... the Zeiss name is just licensed... nobody makes actual Zeiss lenses except Carl Zeiss themselves....

Also Tamron has only made 3 lenses for KM - 17-35, 28-73 and 18-200... the other older lenses are all made by Minolta itself...

 

[TME]

Oh, you were comparing the 7D with the D200. I thought you were comparing the D200 with one of the offerings from Canon's DSLR, hehe... For me, I am not used to Canon's ergonomics, prefer the ergonomics of Nikon's and Minolta's... Love the Dynax 7 handling. I can't believe I am holding one of the last pieces of Minolta SLRs... It's like Minolta sold themselve to a company that is quite the opposite to itself...

Exactly my sentiments...:bheart:

 

[TME]

My Question is: will the quality of KM lenses be much better than Carl Zeiss lenses?

Sure if u want to pay as much for a KM lens as u pay for a Carl Zeiss lens...

 

[Drudkh]

something related for you guys to read
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1035&message=16832534

 

[Flare]

The high speed version costs S$180, while the normal one costs S$145. All recommended prices by Sony.

I tot I said before liao?
Sony 1gb Memory stick pro duo: $129
Sandisk 1gb memory stick pro duo: $149 (faster)

Well, not that bad compared of CF right?

And I think a 2gb memory stick duo pro is around the same price as a Lexar CF...
If got lobang, cheaper...

 

[Flare]

That makes the KM cameras we are owning now Collectors' Items ....... value may appreciate over time .....;p

Hahahah... I've got a Minolta Dimage 5 (antique liao)
Konica Minolta Dimage A1
Konica Minolta 7D
so next is a... Sony ???

And then my set up will become something like:
Sony Body
Minolta Lens
Konica Minolta Flash...

Sounds like reunion dinner, 3 generation all together...

 

[pai]

next time ppl ask "what camera are you using?"
you can tell them "it's a SONY"

 

[Drudkh]

next time ppl ask "what camera are you using?"
you can tell them "it's a SONY"

orrr... so so only.

 

[GENO]

orrr... so so only.

SONI SONI...
:bsmilie:

 

[Drudkh]

something related for you guys to read
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1035&message=16832534

nobody read this????

 

[Drudkh]

nobody read this????

by the way, here's something to laugh about. :bsmilie:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1035&message=16851313

 

[zcf]

nobody read this????

Read it, but not sure what it mean. So the 7D replacement will be under Sony name, or there will be no 7D replacement soon? He didn't really specify.

Only that the KM factory will still manufacture DSLR and lens for Sony.

He also didn't mention the R&D personnel still the same or not. So don't know what to reply.

 

[Drudkh]

Read it, but not sure what it mean. So the 7D replacement will be under Sony name, or there will be no 7D replacement soon? He didn't really specify.

Only that the KM factory will still manufacture DSLR and lens for Sony.

He also didn't mention the R&D personnel still the same or not. So don't know what to reply.

that means PMA will be no show for KM, no new products.

 

[zcf]

that means PMA will be no show for KM, no new products.

That's not confirm yet, may be they just rebadge it in Sony name? So nothing from KM as stated.

 

[felixcat8888]

The only name i can think of next ....
pentax+samsung=pensam or taxsung

How about SumPen, SumTax, or PenSung, hehe.....

 

[felixcat8888]

Sony's marketing muscles is definitely formidable. And gaining a larger share of the market (by automatic inclusion, since combining 2 markets) could translate to more funds, which could translate to more R&D, and probably even better sensor technology. Plus Sony already has an established relationship with Carl Zeiss, which produces the lens for their compact digicams. I won't be surprise if CZ offers lens for the new Sony mount at all.

If only Leica will join in the fun.

Sony will be using the Minolta mount

 

[felixcat8888]

Wonder if Sony will do the same and source from Tamron or Sigma since they already make lenses for the Minolta mount ....

Don't think so as KM will still manufacture lenses for the Sony DSLRs. Also Existing Minolta owners can still use the existing lenses on all new Sony DSLRs.

Please see below:
1) Camera Business

In camera business, we have reached an agreement with Sony Corporation(Sony), having numerous image sensor technologies such as CCD and CMOS, to jointly develop digital SLR cameras in July 2005. In order to continue to have our customers use Maxxum/Dynax lenses, and to maximize possibilities of the optical, mechanical and electronics technologies accumulated through development of SLR cameras in the years to come, we came to the conclusion that it was best to transfer assets concerning camera business to Sony. Since then, we have been negotiating with Sony, and as a result, we have reached an agreement with Sony to transfer a portion of assets regarding digital SLR camera system to Sony*1. In this relation, we have decided to withdraw from camera business*2, such as film cameras and digital cameras, within Konica Minolta Group as of March 31, 2006.
Sony is planning to develop digital SLR cameras compatible with Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system, so that the current Maxxum/Dynax users will be able to continue to use them with Sony’s digital SLR cameras. In addition, we will consign camera service operations for Konica Minolta, Konica,Minolta brand cameras and related equipment to Sony.


*1 Pease refer to the news release, “Partial Transfer of Assets Related to Digital SLR Cameras “, separately announced today. *2 Except for digital SLR cameras and interchangeable lenses produced for Sony.

 

[felixcat8888]

KM had such a short existance. Only a few years...:cry:


Sekali KM cameras would be collector's items. Dun throw away your old KM cams! :bsmilie:

I think it was a mistake for Konica to buy Minolta in the first place. Konica cameras were good in the old days and so was Minolta but after they merged, everything seems to go downhill.:dunno: I used to play with an old Konica SLR years back which belonged to a friend but did not see any in the market when I wanted to go buy one.

 

[felixcat8888]

worse....it'll be proprietary and only usable on sony cameras.

It is a possibility that might happen