Schneider Kreuznach Makes Lenses For Mirrorless Market

Schneider Kreuznach announced that the company will be making camera lenses for mirrorless systems. The company has even released images of the proposed 14mm F2.0 lens for the Micro Four Thirds system. This move allows Schneider to enter the independent lens market that builds autofocus lenses for mirrorless systems, following the launches of lenses for Micro Four Thirds and Sony NEX from Sigma and a NEX 18-200mm from Tamron. The lenses will be made in Germany.

Here’s the press release:

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BAD KREUZNACH, June 14, 2012.

Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH based in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, and its subsidiaries have recorded an increase in operating results by around 14 %. Total sales of 85.5 million euros in 2011 were roughly at prior-year level. Continual growth at the company’s Bad Kreuznach headquarters contributed 51.7 million euros to Group sales, up 6 percent versus the prior-year period. “We have been making major investments at the Bad Kreuznach location and are pleased to see that the headquarters has recorded further growth,” said Schneider Group’s managing director Dr. Josef Staub.

Particularly the growing demand in the Automotive sector for highprecision test and measurement technology plus the overall Inspection market, for instance in the field of LCD and solar production, account for significant increases in the Industrial segment which the company expects to show continuing growth potential. The simple compact cameras business on the other hand is declining. “This does not come as a surprise. We are placing a strong focus on the innovative market for mirrorless system cameras with their interchangeable lenses and have appropriate developments in the pipeline,” Dr. Staub added. Schneider- Kreuznach will launch the first lens of an all-new range of mirrorless system cameras this fall. To develop and produce these high-end lenses the company is planning additional capital expenditures at the Bad Kreuznach location. In the wide range of the Consumer market, the group has already been active with B+W filters. In addition, the portfolio was enhanced by lens attachments for Apple’s iPhone last year.