Kyocera/Contax ceased production

[geoff hurley]

New and existing users kyocera/contax check out the following www.dpreview.com It seems Kyocera/Contax has already ceased production of any and all cameras, film or digital.
as was stated on the yahoo-didgiscoping birds forum get your orders in before they all disappear.

geoff

[yossi]

New and existing users kyocera/contax check out the following www.dpreview.com It seems Kyocera/Contax has already ceased production of any and all cameras, film or digital.
as was stated on the yahoo-didgiscoping birds forum get your orders in before they all disappear.

geoff

Last week - Leica prepares to go bust, this week Contax/Kyocera - who's next - Zeiss? they are all against us digiscopers...

[Neil]

I guess this just confirms that we digiscopers are a very small market , although I found the Kyocera SL400R to be good for general photography as well and it was easy to carry around in your pocket.Neil.

[Andy Bright]

Just to clarify and correct Yossi, Kyocera are definitely not going bust... they're a monstrous company with a $10billion turnover, cameras are a tiny fraction of what they do (just think what % digiscoping is to them).

Still, it's a big shame that these cameras will no longer be around. What happens to the grand old name of Contax is a matter of speculation... we'll just have to wait and see.

Andy

[yossi]

Just to clarify and correct Yossi, Kyocera are definitely not going bust... they're a monstrous company with a $10billion turnover, cameras are a tiny fraction of what they do (just think what % digiscoping is to them).

Still, it's a big shame that these cameras will no longer be around. What happens to the grand old name of Contax is a matter of speculation... we'll just have to wait and see.

Andy

You are absolutely right Andy. They'll just stop making cameras - but isn't it what we are most interested in?

[Johnny1]

I'm glad I chose the Coolpix now instead of the Contax.

[Adey Baker]

What happens to the grand old name of Contax is a matter of speculation... we'll just have to wait and see.

Andy

Did Kyocera ever actually 'own' the 'Contax' brand or did they just license it to make their top-range cameras (the Yashica name seems to have disappeared some time ago)

Presumably, they'll keep making the Carl Zeiss brand lenses for the likes of Sony, etc.

[Andy Bright]

I'm glad I chose the Coolpix now instead of the Contax.
Don't think it makes much difference really, warranty/servicing et al should still be honoured as no one has gone bust. In fact Nikon coolpix parts (cp990,995,4500) are almost non-existant these days... so I'd be happier if my Contax broke than one of my coolpix cameras.

Those I do feel sorry for are the companies that have tooled up and made accessories specific to the Kyocera/Contax models.

[Adey Baker]

Film cameras in the 645 format will, apparently, still be made so the Contax name will live on for a while yet.

[Doug Greenberg]

In the U.S. there is already virtually no support for the Contax cameras. Repeated requests to Kyocera/Contax for spare parts (i.e., extra filter adapters and lens hoods) have been ignored. I am operating on the assumption that once I break/lose the ones I have now, including the one set of extras I managed to get from a different source, I will be out of luck.

[GeoffWood]

In the U.S. there is already virtually no support for the Contax cameras. Repeated requests to Kyocera/Contax for spare parts (i.e., extra filter adapters and lens hoods) have been ignored. I am operating on the assumption that once I break/lose the ones I have now, including the one set of extras I managed to get from a different source, I will be out of luck.

I notice that the Kyoceras are available at the moment at reduced prices:
SL300R @ £102 & SL400R @ £189
As an entry level camera for digiscoping, would I be wise to go for one of these? That is, would I get hold of the required bits & pieces?
Also is the SL400R worth the extra £87?
Thanks

[Neil]

The Kyocera SL400R is not a robust camera in the tradition of the CP 990/4500 series and has to be handled more carefully. I have a special, homemade adapter for mine which gives some protection from minor bumps. I wouldn't be buying one now at the end of it's life , unless as a back-up to an existing camera, which I will probably do.Neil.

[Andy Webb]

I've just been trying to get hold of a Kyocera SL400R and have had orders cancelled by the suppliers owing to lack of supply.

As far as I can tell, you can get the camera with the full Opticron kit for about £350 (from SW Optics or In Focus) including digiscoping adapter for Opticron eyepieces.

Or the camera only from Camerabox (www.camerabox.co.uk - 01844 215132) at £168.99, or Morris Phitigraphic in Oxford (www.morrisphoto.co.uk - 08454 302030) at £199.95 incl a few extra bits.

You can still get the 28mm filter holder from a variety of suppliers - just use a search engine.



I notice that the Kyoceras are available at the moment at reduced prices:
SL300R @ £102 & SL400R @ £189
As an entry level camera for digiscoping, would I be wise to go for one of these? That is, would I get hold of the required bits & pieces?
Also is the SL400R worth the extra £87?
Thanks

[Highway Man]

During an enquiry about filter rings I asked Kyocera UK the following question.

Is there any truth in the rumour that Kyocera are no longer manufacturing cameras ?


This is the responce that I got from their sales office manager.

No truth in them yet.
It is true that the Kyocera corporation are looking at the market situation shifting from analogue to digital and will be re organising the whole business, in due course.
As yet they have not given out there final decision.
You will know when we do.