Bygone Japanese Camera Brand That Merged With Konica
Japan has a rich history of innovation and technology, especially in the field of cameras. From the early days of film photography to the modern digital age, Japanese camera brands have always been at the forefront of the industry. One such brand that may not be as well-known today is the former camera brand called Kyocera, which was eventually merged with Konica. In this article, we will explore the history and legacy of Kyocera cameras, and how the merger with Konica changed the landscape of the Japanese camera industry.
The Early Years of Kyocera Cameras
Kyocera Corporation, a well-known Japanese multinational company, was initially founded in 1959 as Kyoto Ceramic Co. Ltd. The company was focused on producing ceramics for industrial and electronic applications. However, in the late 1960s, Kyocera began to expand into the camera industry.
The first Kyocera camera was released in 1973, which was a 35mm film camera called the Yashica Electro 35 GSN. This camera was very successful and was known for its high-quality lens and unique design. Kyocera continued to produce a variety of film cameras throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including the popular T-series and Samurai series.
The Rise of Digital Cameras
With the rise of digital technology in the 1990s, Kyocera began to shift its focus towards digital cameras. In 1998, Kyocera released its first digital camera called the Finecam M410R. This camera was a huge success and was praised for its high-quality images and advanced features.
Over the next several years, Kyocera continued to release a variety of digital cameras, including the Contax N Digital, which was the world's first digital SLR camera with a 35mm full frame sensor. Kyocera's digital cameras were known for their innovative features and high-quality lenses, which were co-developed with Carl Zeiss.
The Merger with Konica
Despite its success in the camera industry, Kyocera faced increasing competition from other Japanese camera brands such as Canon and Nikon. In 2003, Kyocera was forced to make a difficult decision and decided to sell its camera division to Konica Corporation.
Konica was a well-known Japanese camera and photocopier company that was founded in 1873. The merger between Kyocera and Konica created a new company called Kyocera Optec Co. Ltd. The new company continued to produce cameras under the Contax and Yashica brands, which were both highly regarded in the photography community.
However, the merger was not enough to save the struggling camera division. In 2005, just two years after the merger, Kyocera Optec announced that it was ending production of its Contax and Yashica camera lines. The decision was made due to increased competition from other camera brands, declining sales, and the rise of smartphones with built-in cameras.
The Legacy of Kyocera Cameras
Despite the short-lived existence of the Kyocera camera division, the brand left a lasting legacy in the photography industry. Kyocera cameras, especially the Yashica and Contax lines, were known for their high-quality lenses, innovative features, and unique designs.
Today, Kyocera cameras are highly sought after by collectors and photographers alike. The Yashica Mat, in particular, is considered a classic medium format camera and is highly regarded for its design and image quality. The Contax T2 and T3 film cameras are also highly sought after by collectors and are known for their high-end features and advanced autofocus systems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Kyocera was a Japanese camera brand that played a significant role in the history of the photography industry. Despite facing competition from other camera brands and the rise of smartphones with built-in cameras, Kyocera cameras were known for their high-quality lenses, innovative features, and unique designs. The merger with Konica was a significant turning point for the company, but ultimately was not enough to save the struggling camera division. Today, Kyocera cameras remain a lasting legacy in the photography community, and collectors and photographers continue to seek out these unique and innovative cameras.