[eddie1960]

Well, I dunno, I think they're pretty nice, actually. Elmarit=Not Elmar, but nice. These actually theoretically come of a real partnership between Leica and Panasonic that I think means it's actually the very same glass as the Leica versions got. Wherever they actually made it. (taking out her own little FZ-7 guy. Probably time for a battery charge by now. ) I kind of got a kick out of the nameplate, "Hey, I'm finally shooting Leica. Kind of. "

Anyway, in this case there's at least some token Leica involvement in the glass. Though I think Leica may be out of that partnership now, they at least bailed from the 4/3rds standard, apparently.


As long as I like it, really. Got one of the ones that doesn't try to go very wide: I think it has generally-good qualities.

the leica and panasonic variants are the same aside from leica shipping with better software and a lust worthy name. I sold them at the launch the story is panasonic's robotics experience allowed them to make a lens suitable for the purpose that was designed by leica and met their standards for the intended use. certainly not a summicron. it allowed leica to get into the digital world while they developed the m8 and brought them capital they needed at the time.

[monochrome]

Kodak will be a business school study of how massive capital investment in plant & equipment is a fine lever to cash flow for consumer products (from film-related products), but becomes an anchor to seaward when consumr tastes change and markets shift away from the cash flow generator. Kodak was sunk by its illiquid capital structure and rigid management processes. These forced poor product and marketing decisions, since they didn't have liquid capital to support quality consumer end-products. They destroyed the brand trying to "label" junk as Kodak. The only quality assets they have left are the patents. The creditors' committee (hedge funds who have bought all the debt) will liquidate the good stuff and write off everything else. That's how our tax laws work now, post Sarbanes-Oxley.

If you blame anyone, blame post-Enron Congressional vengeance.

[reeftool]

You mean the Leica on my Lumix isn't the same quality as an actual Elmarit?

Attachment 113645

I would agree, to a point. The lens or image quality was never the issue with these cameras. Kodaks digital cameras carried the reputation as cheap throw aways, the same as their film cameras. Samsung has also had Schneider labeled lenses for years. I have a 35mm film camera with a Schneider zoom. I have never kidded myself that the Samsung I bought for the sole purpose of being able to fit in my jacket pocket on motorcycle trips was in a league with a Leica but I have hundreds of outstanding shots from that camera.The real issue here is that in regards to digital photography, Kodak's effort has been half-assed at best. They were always a film company first and could never accept the idea that film would become obsolete.

[eddie1960]

They were always a film company first and could never accept the idea that film would become obsolete.

They were so big and bloated with no visionary management this could only have ended this way. Sad really since some of y favourite film stock has come from them (mind you they've killed 2 of the 3 with Kodachrome and Plus-x gone and only Tri-X tenuously hanging in there)

[boriscleto]

The fate of the film division was foretold a few weeks ago.

Kodak Sells Off Its Gelatin Business

[séamuis]

while I certainly don't enjoy the idea of Kodak biting the dust (though resurrection isn't impossible) I don't think this spells the end for consumer 'kodak' film. small companies operating on smaller scales will pick up the pieces of the giants that fall. this is just how things go. we will ultimately see 'kodak' films being produced in the future. the global demand for film is on a slow but steady rise. where it might possibly peak is anybodies guess, but eventually the market and the companies that supply it will adjust to the global demand. I view cases like Kodak as essentially being a 'specialist species'. it takes a lot of evolution in a very steady environment to reach it, and when you do you thrive very well in that environment. but when that environment changes radically, the specialist species are the first to succumb to extinction. This is Kodak. this is evolution in practice.

[Docrwm]

Already sold the sensor division too.


After arriving late to the digital photography party, Kodak took another step away from the market yesterday by selling off its sensor business to CA-based firm Platinum Equity. The sale of Kodak Image Sensor Solutions (KISS) — which includes the company’s 263,000 square foot facility in Rochester — will hopefully give Kodak the boost of cash it needs to avoid bankruptcy and turn into a healthy business. Kodak sensors are found in a number of popular cameras, including the Leica M9 and S2.
The company is also looking into selling a chunk of its patents to raise more cash, which will help it in its current efforts to transform into a printer and ink company.

[maxfield_photo]

The sale of the gelatin business is the final nail in the coffin. Such a shame to think that the finest film producer of the golden age of photography could be reduced to peddling cheap P&S cameras and ink cartridges. This hurts my photographic soul, it's like watching an art museum being torn down to put in a Starbucks.

[monochrome]

The sale of the gelatin business is the final nail in the coffin. Such a shame to think that the finest film producer of the golden age of photography could be reduced to peddling cheap P&S cameras and ink cartridges. This hurts my photographic soul, it's like watching an art museum being torn down to put in a Starbucks.

When you are desperate you sell what people are willing to buy at the prices they are willing to pay. Competitors have neither heart nor soul. They'll be just as happy to dismantle Kodak and pick up the pieces as the distressed debt buyers (hedge funds) will be to sell them.

We've seen this time and again - creative destruction. This time moving capture and post-processing from gelatin to silicon was the agent.

[ChrisPlatt]

Perhaps Kodak can buy all the gelatin it needs for a shrinking film market at lower cost
from a manufacturer with lower overhead than it would cost to produce it themselves.
This might even be part of the deal with the buyer.

Chris

[monochrome]

Perhaps Kodak can buy all the gelatin it needs for a shrinking film market at lower cost
from a manufacturer with lower overhead than it would cost to produce it themselves.
This might even be part of the deal with the buyer.

Chris

As always, the "overhead" is unfunded liabilities related to people.

[ChrisPlatt]

Sadly the fate of the employees seems to be the last concern.

Chris

[RioRico]

Oscars May Leave Kodak Theater - The Daily Beast

Hasta la vista, baby. After 10 years of hosting the Oscars, the Kodak Theatre may soon be out of the picture. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences is considering moving the Oscars the Nokia Theatre, a bigger venue in downtown Los Angeles.

There you have it. From Kodak to Nokia, one century's camera-making leader to the next's. Tempus fugit irrevocably.

[eddie1960]

Oscars May Leave Kodak Theater - The Daily Beast


There you have it. From Kodak to Nokia, one century's camera-making leader to the next's. Tempus fugit irrevocably.

it is Ironic (really it would be more accurate if it was the iphone theater )

[MRRiley]

Thread moved to Gen Photo & Industry

Mike
PF Moderation Team