Leica takes Sinar

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Nov 26, 2013

Leica Takes Over Sinar

November 26, 2013 | by Andreas Jürgen

We just received a short German press release (Google translation) that Leica took over Sinar, the Swiss maker of large format cameras.

Both parties agreed not to disclose details about the transaction.

Sinar is the leading manufacturer of professional large format cameras, providing the full range from cameras and lenses to digital backs, shutters and workflow software. Marketing, product management, support. development and production of Sinar will remain in Switzerland.

By this transaction Leica Camera completes its range of professional high end cameras.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Nov 26, 2013

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-news/2013/11/leica-takes-over-sinar/

Double Negative · Nov 26, 2013

This was the breaking news story from this morning (first):

http://lavidaleica.com/content/leica-camera-ag-gobbles-sinar

erikg · Nov 26, 2013

What are they going to do with it, that's the question.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Nov 26, 2013

We can expect an 30 grand lens from the new factory at Wetzlar , may be they can figure out to thread screw mount lenses on to Sinar
If they have enough creativity , they can make a Leicaflex body also.

Cybertrash · Nov 26, 2013

So now we'll be getting designer branded monorail cameras?

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Nov 26, 2013

Cybertrash said:
So now we'll be getting designer branded monorail cameras?

miha · Nov 26, 2013

Mustafa Umut Sarac said:
If they have enough creativity , they can make a Leicaflex body also.

They do but with a price tag to match no one will buy it especially since the second-hand market is flooded with them.

vpwphoto · Nov 26, 2013

Complain and snark as we might.... Leica doesn't make things they can't sell most of the time.
I did come across a web site with NIB Topon Cameras and lenses... so there are things that never sold... I think there are enough view cameras in the world already.

chuck94022 · Nov 26, 2013

Your beater Sinar F1 just went from being worth $200 to $10,000 on fleabay. Just use a red sharpie to make a nice Leica dot.

DREW WILEY · Nov 26, 2013

Maybe the other way around. Seems like even a Sinaron lens cap once cost more than the average Leica. Somewhere I have an old Sinar
advertising plastic clothespin to hold up something - maybe signage or corners of a darkcloth - who knows? But it should be worth several
hundred dollars on EBay with the description of "RARE", "collectible", "genuine Sinar object prior to wimpy little Leica acquisition" etc.

Sirius Glass · Nov 26, 2013

Mustafa Umut Sarac said:
By this transaction Leica Camera completes its range of professional high end cameras.

How can it complete what it does not have? There are no MF cameras in the stable.

jovo · Nov 26, 2013

The only red dot I'm interested in is the one beside one of my photographs that indicates "SOLD". As to Leica....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

DREW WILEY · Nov 26, 2013

The idea of medium format is their digital back. But Leica did in fact market a complete med format digi SLR system. I'd imagine it has fiancially
bellyflopped by now, just like Sinar's ultra-expensive servo-controlled view cameras or early Epolux entry into color digital capture. Maybe they can combine the worst ideas of both companies. ... Meanwhile, I've replaced most of my functional Sinar system with a vintage 60's Sinar Norma. Still the classic.

Double Negative · Nov 26, 2013

Not like Sinar is a huge seller, but there is a market. And now Leica has everything from compacts to large format - and everything in between.

Sirius Glass · Nov 26, 2013

So show me the everything in between.

AgX · Nov 26, 2013

I guess via format reduction.

miha · Nov 27, 2013

Sirius Glass said:
How can it complete what it does not have? There are no MF cameras in the stable.

You sure know Leica has a MF camera already?

sepiareverb · Nov 27, 2013

Well, Sinar was the other Red Dot company.

Sirius Glass · Nov 27, 2013

AgX said:
I guess via format reduction.

Oh, so one drives an 18 wheeler to carry a small package?!? That is like taking an 8"x10" camera and then shooting single frame [half frame] 35mm. There is something seriously wrong with that picture!

AgX · Nov 27, 2013

If you got an expensive MF sensor back there is nothing wrong in putting it via a reduction device on a LF monorail. All LF camera manufacturers offered reduction devices even in times of film.

Sirius Glass · Nov 27, 2013

AgX said:
If you got an expensive MF sensor back there is nothing wrong in putting it via a reduction device on a LF monorail. All LF camera manufacturers offered reduction devices even in times of film.

Except that then one is carrying around unnecessary mass and volume and looses any advantages of the smaller format.

AgX · Nov 28, 2013

Not all photographers had/have the means to buy apt outfits for each and every format.

analoguey · Nov 28, 2013

I found the press release bizarre. 'Leica now covers all segments of the photo industry' what next? Smartphones? 3, 4,7,8,12,20,41 mpx etc?
I would've have raged at that statement if I were a shareholder.
Keep getting reminded of the car brand analogy, anyhow. Looks like another hassie like management.

Sent from Tap-a-talk

Sirius Glass · Nov 28, 2013

AgX said:
Not all photographers had/have the means to buy apt outfits for each and every format.

But a camera company that wants to stay competitive in this market will off them for sale. Selling a 35mm camera and a large format camera and then claiming to cover the market is hardly an act of honestly.

Leica takes Sinar

Membership Council

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency