Comments on: 50th Anniversary of US Manned Space Flight http://blog.thetravelinsider.info/2012/02/50th-anniversary-of-us-manned-space-flight.html Iconoclastic News, Views and Reviews on Travel and Travel-Related Technology Mon, 14 May 2012 16:14:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Kevin Morgan http://blog.thetravelinsider.info/2012/02/50th-anniversary-of-us-manned-space-flight.html/comment-page-1#comment-1260 Kevin Morgan Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:20:23 +0000 http://blog.thetravelinsider.info/?p=940#comment-1260 Separate comment: I don't think there were ever any higher-end camera manufacturers in the United States. Higher-end optics historically came from Germany (Zeiss, Leica, Rollei, etc) and then later Japan (Canon, Olympus, Nikon, Pentax, etc.). I don't think it's an industry in which American companies ever took the lead. American companies, especially Kodak and Polaroid, did dominate mass-marked cameras, primarily under the razor/blades model: buy the camera cheap, spends lots more on film and developing over time. Digital killed that model and slow to adapt, American photography companies have never recovered even on the area they once dominated. Separate comment: I don’t think there were ever any higher-end camera manufacturers in the United States. Higher-end optics historically came from Germany (Zeiss, Leica, Rollei, etc) and then later Japan (Canon, Olympus, Nikon, Pentax, etc.). I don’t think it’s an industry in which American companies ever took the lead.

American companies, especially Kodak and Polaroid, did dominate mass-marked cameras, primarily under the razor/blades model: buy the camera cheap, spends lots more on film and developing over time. Digital killed that model and slow to adapt, American photography companies have never recovered even on the area they once dominated.

]]> By: Kevin Morgan http://blog.thetravelinsider.info/2012/02/50th-anniversary-of-us-manned-space-flight.html/comment-page-1#comment-1259 Kevin Morgan Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:14:00 +0000 http://blog.thetravelinsider.info/?p=940#comment-1259 OK, I'll correct you, then. Minolta was merged back in 2003 with Konica, another Japanese electronics firm, to form KonicaMinolta. That merged company is still in existence, along with both of its brand names. KonicaMinolta did exit the camera business about six years ago, however, and sold its SLR business to Sony. However, I don't think Sony acquired any rights to the Minolta name and all the technology acquired has been rebranded as Sony. OK, I’ll correct you, then. Minolta was merged back in 2003 with Konica, another Japanese electronics firm, to form KonicaMinolta. That merged company is still in existence, along with both of its brand names.

KonicaMinolta did exit the camera business about six years ago, however, and sold its SLR business to Sony. However, I don’t think Sony acquired any rights to the Minolta name and all the technology acquired has been rebranded as Sony.

]]> By: Tom B http://blog.thetravelinsider.info/2012/02/50th-anniversary-of-us-manned-space-flight.html/comment-page-1#comment-1253 Tom B Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:29:13 +0000 http://blog.thetravelinsider.info/?p=940#comment-1253 Not quite... Minolta got out of the camera and scanner business (probably explains why the drivers for my minolta APS film scanner are such a pain to find!)... From http://ca.konicaminolta.com/ "Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. ceased its Camera Business Operation as of 31 March, 2006, and since 1 April, 2006 Sony Corporation has been providing customer service for Konica's, Minolta's, and Konica Minolta's cameras (excluding Film-in cameras) and camera-related products except for the binoculars. Please be informed upon the termination of the Agreement between Sony Corporation and Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc.. Konica Minolta ceased the entire customer services for Konica Minolta cameras and related products, as of 31 December, 2010." Not quite… Minolta got out of the camera and scanner business (probably explains why the drivers for my minolta APS film scanner are such a pain to find!)… From http://ca.konicaminolta.com/

“Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. ceased its Camera Business Operation as of 31 March, 2006, and since 1 April, 2006
Sony Corporation has been providing customer service for Konica’s, Minolta’s, and Konica Minolta’s cameras (excluding Film-in cameras) and camera-related products except for the binoculars.

Please be informed upon the termination of the Agreement between Sony Corporation and Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc..
Konica Minolta ceased the entire customer services for Konica Minolta cameras and related products, as of 31 December, 2010.”

]]> By: Joel Bader http://blog.thetravelinsider.info/2012/02/50th-anniversary-of-us-manned-space-flight.html/comment-page-1#comment-1248 Joel Bader Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:58:02 +0000 http://blog.thetravelinsider.info/?p=940#comment-1248 Correct me if I'm wrong, but Minolta has been acquired by the Japanese electronic giant Sony. Correct me if I’m wrong, but Minolta has been acquired by the Japanese electronic giant Sony.

]]>