The Contax G camera line consists of two cameras, the G1 and G2 , interchangeable-lens cameras sold by Kyocera under the Contax brand in competition with the Leica M7 , Cosina Voigtländer Bessa-R , and Konica Hexar RF . The G1 was introduced in 1994 with the G2 joining it in 1996. In 2005, Kyocera retreated from the camera business and announced it would cease all activity related to the manufacture of Contax cameras at the end of the year, effectively spelling the end of the G system.
46-570: The two G-series cameras have titanium-clad bodies and use the Contax G-mount , an electromechanical autofocus mount. When tested in 1995, the Contax G1 cost US$ 2,210 (equivalent to $ 4,400 in 2023) with the 45 mm Planar lens; the 28 mm Biogon and 90 mm Sonnar lenses were each US$ 660 (equivalent to $ 1,320 in 2023), and the list price for the 16 mm Hologon was US$ 3,000 (equivalent to $ 6,000 in 2023). The 45 mm Planar
92-544: A light source company called SLD laser. The company innovated a product that uses phosphor to convert blue laser light to produce a broad-spectrum, incoherent, high luminance white light source. Kyocera Document Solutions Corporation manufactures a wide range of printers, MFPs. and toner cartridges which are sold throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and the Americas. Kyocera printing devices are also marketed under
138-589: Is a Japanese multinational ceramics and electronics manufacturer headquartered in Kyoto , Japan . It was founded as Kyoto Ceramic Company, Limited ( 京都セラミック株式会社 , Kyōto Seramikku Kabushiki-gaisha ) in 1959 by Kazuo Inamori and renamed in 1982. It manufactures industrial ceramics, solar power generating systems, telecommunications equipment, office document imaging equipment, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools, and components for medical and dental implant systems. Kyocera's original product
184-448: Is an electronic connection between camera and lens to transmit data, the lenses have no AF motor and no means to adjust focus on the lens itself; both autofocus and manual focus are driven by a motor in the camera through a mechanical "screwdriver" coupling. The focus dial on the G1 is the dial marked with distances on the far right side of the body, and is also used to select the autofocus mode; on
230-541: Is powered by kinetic energy from the user. The prototype phone also has a foldable design which is capable of morphing into a variety of shapes. In 2009 Kyocera sold its Indian R&D Division (Wireless) to Mindtree Limited . In March 2010, Kyocera launched its first Smartphone ( Zio ) since 2001, after focusing on lower cost phones. In March, 2010, Kyocera announced the merger of its two wholly owned subsidiaries: San Diego–based Kyocera Wireless Corp. and Kyocera Communications, Inc. The merged enterprise continued under
276-587: The G1 and G2 , interchangeable-lens cameras sold by Kyocera under the Contax brand in competition with the Leica M7 , Cosina Voigtländer Bessa-R , and Konica Hexar RF . The G1 was introduced in 1994 with the G2 joining it in 1996. In 2005, Kyocera retreated from the camera business and announced it would cease all activity related to the manufacture of Contax cameras at the end of
322-400: The "normal" 45 mm lens is used. The viewfinder uses molded aspherical lens elements to reduce size. While there is an electronic connection between camera and lens to transmit data, the lenses have no AF motor and no means to adjust focus on the lens itself; both autofocus and manual focus are driven by a motor in the camera through a mechanical "screwdriver" coupling. The focus dial on
368-530: The AF mechanism in the G-series does indeed use a twin-window system much like that of the older mechanical rangefinders — only in electronic form. The viewfinder covers the field of view for lenses of focal lengths between 28 and 90 mm through an optical zoom, and automatically compensates for parallax error and field when focusing closer. The in-body finder shows 90% of the captured frame at 0.59× magnification when
414-564: The Contax G mount uses a breech-lock mechanism similar to the manual-focus Canon FD and FL mount. The very high optical quality of the G-series lenses makes them excellent candidates for use with high-resolution digital sensors. Adapters are available for the Sony E-mount and Micro Four Thirds digital camera. Early versions of the G1 could only accept the four original lenses (16 mm, 28 mm, 45 mm, and 90 mm). A modified ROM
460-552: The Copystar name in Americas and under TA Triumph-Adler and Utax names in EMEA (Europe-Middle East-Africa) region. This division is overseen by Aaron Thomas (North American division President), Henry Goode, and Adam Stevens In the past, Kyocera manufactured satellite phones for the Iridium network. Three handsets were released in 1999 including one with an unusual docking station which contained
506-655: The EMEA (Europe-Middle East-Africa) region. TA Triumph-Adler GmbH is located in Nuremberg, Germany and UTAX GmbH (subsidiary of TA Triumph-Adler) in Norderstedt, Germany. In July 2011, Kyocera's wholly owned Germany-based subsidiary Kyocera Fineceramics GmbH acquired 100% ownership of the shares in Denmark -based industrial cutting tool manufacturing and sales company Unimerco Group A/S. Unimerco had been founded in Denmark in 1964. Today,
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#1732875783467552-474: The G-series quickly established it as a camera of worth: the original trio of lenses released with the G1 included the 45 mm f / 2 Planar , 28 mm f / 2.8 Biogon , and 90 mm f / 2.8 Sonnar ; the 16 mm f / 8 Hologon was announced at the system launch but was not immediately available. The G2 was released in 1996 alongside the 21 mm f / 2.8 Biogon and 35 mm f / 2 Planar. The 35–70 mm f / 3.5–5.6 Vario-Sonnar ,
598-418: The G1 included the 45 mm f / 2 Planar , 28 mm f / 2.8 Biogon , and 90 mm f / 2.8 Sonnar ; the 16 mm f / 8 Hologon was announced at the system launch but was not immediately available. The G2 was released in 1996 alongside the 21 mm f / 2.8 Biogon and 35 mm f / 2 Planar. The 35–70 mm f / 3.5–5.6 Vario-Sonnar , the first zoom lens for a rangefinder camera,
644-470: The G1 is the dial marked with distances on the far right side of the body, and is also used to select the autofocus mode; on the G2, the focus dial was separated from the focus mode control and moved to the top front edge of the body. Compared with the original G1, the G2 has improved autofocus performance and higher top shutter speeds of 1 ⁄ 4000 sec in manual mode and 1 ⁄ 6000 sec in aperture priority mode. The manual focus wheel
690-422: The G2, the focus dial was separated from the focus mode control and moved to the top front edge of the body. Compared with the original G1, the G2 has improved autofocus performance and higher top shutter speeds of 1 ⁄ 4000 sec in manual mode and 1 ⁄ 6000 sec in aperture priority mode. The manual focus wheel was moved from the top deck to the front, to about the same position as where
736-596: The Iridium transceiver and antenna, as well as a pager for the Iridium network. Kyocera manufactures mobile phones for wireless carriers in the United States and Canada. Marketing is done by its subsidiary Kyocera International, Inc. Kyocera acquired the terminal business of US digital communications technology company Qualcomm in February 2000, and became a major supplier of mobile handsets. In 2008, Kyocera also took over
782-468: The Kyocera, Yashica and Contax trade names until 2005, when the company discontinued all film and digital camera production. In the 1980s, Kyocera marketed audio components, such as CD players , receivers , turntables , and cassette decks . These featured unique elements, including Kyocera ceramic-based platforms. At one time, Kyocera owned the famous KLH brand founded by Henry Kloss , though Kloss and
828-767: The United States called HORIZON (stylized in all capital letters and designated by year: e.g. HORIZON '98). The program's purpose was to acquaint these students with the Japanese people and their culture, and to facilitate friendship and understanding. The program was open to students ages 10–14; applicants were chosen randomly. The brand Mita was the first main sponsor of the Argentinian team Atlético Independiente , from 1985 to 1992. Mita also sponsored English club Aston Villa F.C. , appearing on shirt fronts from 1984 to 1993. Between 2005 and 2008, Kyocera also sponsored Reading F.C. and Brazilian football team Atlético Paranaense , having
874-448: The angle of view corresponding to the 28 mm Biogon, the 16 mm Hologon and 21 mm Biogon lenses were each bundled with a separate accessory viewfinder that mounted in the hotshoe. Contax marketed a line of accessories dedicated for the G series of cameras and lenses. Available in both 46mm and 55mm sizes. Kyocera Kyocera Corporation ( 京セラ株式会社 , Kyōsera Kabushiki-gaisha , pronounced [kʲoːseɾa] )
920-403: The angle of view corresponding to the 28 mm Biogon, the 16 mm Hologon and 21 mm Biogon lenses were each bundled with a separate accessory viewfinder that mounted in the hotshoe. Contax marketed a line of accessories dedicated for the G series of cameras and lenses. Available in both 46mm and 55mm sizes. Contax G-mount The Contax G camera line consists of two cameras,
966-414: The camera is moved; and single, which is a safety mode, focussing as the focus button is pressed (or shutter release half-pressed), and maintaining this reading until the shutter is released. If the camera fails to find focus in this mode, the shutter cannot be released. The lenses designed by Carl Zeiss for the G-series quickly established it as a camera of worth: the original trio of lenses released with
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#17328757834671012-448: The company to create Kyocera Solar Corporation in Japan in 1996, and Kyocera Solar, Inc. in the U.S. in 1999. On August 4, 1999, Kyocera completed its merger with solar energy systems integrator Golden Genesis Company (Nasdaq:GGGO). In January 2000, Kyocera acquired photocopier manufacturer Mita Industrial Company, following Mita's decline and bankruptcy in the late 1990s. This resulted in
1058-675: The creation of Kyocera Mita Corporation (now Kyocera Document Solutions Corporation), headquartered in Osaka, Japan, with subsidiaries in more than 25 nations. Also in 2000, Kyocera acquired the mobile phone manufacturing operations of Qualcomm Incorporated to form Kyocera Wireless Corp. In 2003, Kyocera Wireless Corp. established Kyocera Wireless India (KWI), a mobile phone subsidiary in Bangalore. KWI has established alliances with several leading players providing CDMA services in India. Kyocera Wireless Corporation
1104-505: The first zoom lens for a rangefinder camera, was the last lens to be released, in 2000. All lenses were autofocus with the exception of the Hologon 8/16mm. The flange distance between the front surface of the lens mount and the film plane is only 29 millimetres (1.1 in), and Contax released the GA-1 adaptor which allowed the use of Contax/Yashica mount lenses. Unlike most bayonet-mount lenses,
1150-490: The focusing wheel was located on classic Dresden and Stuttgart Contax rangefinders . In addition, the G2 was made available in a black finish along with black versions of the TLA200 flash and 28 mm, 45 mm, and 90 mm lenses. A new active auto-focus system has been added to the G2, which uses near-infrared beams to set the range. The G2 auto-focus also has two focusing modes: continuous, which constantly adjusts focus as
1196-466: The handset business of Sanyo , eventually forming 'Kyocera Communications, Inc.'. The Kyocera Communications terminal division is located in San Diego . Kyocera Corporation manufactures and markets phones for the Japanese market which are sold under different brands. Kyocera makes phones for some Japanese wireless carriers including au , willcom , SoftBank and Y!mobile . In May 2012, Kyocera released
1242-455: The list price for the 16 mm Hologon was US$ 3,000 (equivalent to $ 6,000 in 2023). The 45 mm Planar was listed separately at US$ 420 (equivalent to $ 840 in 2023). The Contax G2 listed for US$ 2,250 (equivalent to $ 4,100 in 2023) with the 45 mm Planar lens in 1999. Critics were quick to accuse the G1 of not being a "true" (mechanical) rangefinder, since it used autofocus and electronically linked mechanisms. However,
1288-401: The manual-focus Canon FD and FL mount. The very high optical quality of the G-series lenses makes them excellent candidates for use with high-resolution digital sensors. Adapters are available for the Sony E-mount and Micro Four Thirds digital camera. Early versions of the G1 could only accept the four original lenses (16 mm, 28 mm, 45 mm, and 90 mm). A modified ROM
1334-689: The mid-1970s, Kyocera began expanding its material technologies to produce a diverse range of applied ceramic products, including solar photovoltaic modules; biocompatible tooth- and joint-replacement systems; industrial cutting tools; consumer ceramics, such as ceramic-bladed kitchen knives and ceramic-tipped ballpoint pens; and lab-grown gemstones, including rubies , emeralds , sapphires , opals , alexandrites and padparadschahs . The company acquired electronic equipment manufacturing and radio communication technologies in 1979 through an investment in Cybernet Electronics Corporation, which
1380-622: The name Kyocera Advanced Ceramics. Kyocera's headquarters building in Kyoto is 95 metres (312 ft) tall. A 1,900-panel photovoltaic power system is on the roof and south wall of the building, which can supply 12.5% of the facility's needed energy, generating 182 megawatt hours per year. Between 1978 and 1998, Kyocera and the International Affairs Board of the City of San Diego sponsored an all-expense paid tour of Japan for students from
1426-561: The name Kyocera Communications, Inc. Later that month, Kyocera agreed to acquire part of the thin film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) design and manufacturing business of Sony Corporation's subsidiary Sony Mobile Display Corporation. In October 2010, Kyocera acquired 100% ownership of the shares of TA Triumph-Adler AG (Nuremberg, Germany) and converted the daughter company into TA Triumph-Adler GmbH. TA Triumph-Adler GmbH currently distributes Kyocera-made printing devices and software with TA Triumph-Adler and UTAX trademarks within
Contax G - Misplaced Pages Continue
1472-465: The older mechanical rangefinders — only in electronic form. The viewfinder covers the field of view for lenses of focal lengths between 28 and 90 mm through an optical zoom, and automatically compensates for parallax error and field when focusing closer. The in-body finder shows 90% of the captured frame at 0.59× magnification when the "normal" 45 mm lens is used. The viewfinder uses molded aspherical lens elements to reduce size. While there
1518-623: The original Cambridge design and engineering staff had left the company by the time of the Kyocera purchase. In 1989, Kyocera stopped production of audio components and sought a buyer for the KLH brand. In 1989, Kyocera acquired Elco Corporation, a manufacturer of electronic connectors. In 1990, Kyocera's global operations expanded significantly with the addition of AVX Corporation , a global manufacturer of passive electronic components , such as ceramic chip capacitors, filters and voltage suppressors. Expanding sales of photovoltaic solar energy products led
1564-419: The range. The G2 auto-focus also has two focusing modes: continuous, which constantly adjusts focus as the camera is moved; and single, which is a safety mode, focussing as the focus button is pressed (or shutter release half-pressed), and maintaining this reading until the shutter is released. If the camera fails to find focus in this mode, the shutter cannot be released. The lenses designed by Carl Zeiss for
1610-478: The subsidiary is known as Kyocera Unimerco A/S, and comprises a tooling division and fastening division. In February 2012, Kyocera became the total stock holder of Optrex Corporation, which was subsequently renamed Kyocera Display Corporation. In March 2016, Kyocera acquired an international cutting tool company called SGS Tool Company for $ 89 million. In August 2017, Kyocera acquired 100% ownership of Senco Industrial Tools. In November, 2020, Kyocera acquired
1656-483: The world's first speaker-less smartphone, the Kyocera Urbano Progresso. This phone produces vibration to conduct sound through the ear canal instead of the customary speaker, making it easier to hear phone conversations in busy and noisy places. This also benefits those who are having difficulty hearing, but are not totally deaf. It could be used across the world on CDMA, GSM, GPRS and UMTS networks. This phone
1702-407: The year, effectively spelling the end of the G system. The two G-series cameras have titanium-clad bodies and use the Contax G-mount , an electromechanical autofocus mount. When tested in 1995, the Contax G1 cost US$ 2,210 (equivalent to $ 4,400 in 2023) with the 45 mm Planar lens; the 28 mm Biogon and 90 mm Sonnar lenses were each US$ 660 (equivalent to $ 1,320 in 2023), and
1748-542: Was a ceramic insulator known as a "kelcima" for use in cathode-ray tubes . The company quickly adapted its technologies to produce an expanding range of ceramic components for electronic and structural applications. In the 1960s, as the NASA space program, the birth of Silicon Valley and the advancement of computer technology created demand for semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs), Kyocera developed ceramic semiconductor packages that remain among its core product lines today. In
1794-424: Was listed separately at US$ 420 (equivalent to $ 840 in 2023). The Contax G2 listed for US$ 2,250 (equivalent to $ 4,100 in 2023) with the 45 mm Planar lens in 1999. Critics were quick to accuse the G1 of not being a "true" (mechanical) rangefinder, since it used autofocus and electronically linked mechanisms. However, the AF mechanism in the G-series does indeed use a twin-window system much like that of
1840-485: Was merged into Kyocera in 1982. Shortly afterward, Kyocera introduced one of the first portable, battery-powered laptop computers, sold in the U.S. as the Tandy Model 100 , which featured an LCD screen and telephone-modem data transfer capability. Kyocera gained optical technology by acquiring Yashica in 1983, along with Yashica's prior licensing agreement with Carl Zeiss , and manufactured film and digital cameras under
1886-417: Was moved from the top deck to the front, to about the same position as where the focusing wheel was located on classic Dresden and Stuttgart Contax rangefinders . In addition, the G2 was made available in a black finish along with black versions of the TLA200 flash and 28 mm, 45 mm, and 90 mm lenses. A new active auto-focus system has been added to the G2, which uses near-infrared beams to set
Contax G - Misplaced Pages Continue
1932-556: Was only available in Japan. Kyocera maintains production bases for photovoltaic cells and solar modules in Japan and China. In 2009, it was announced that Kyocera's solar modules were available as on option on the Toyota Prius . The company also operates solar power plants, such as the Kagoshima Nanatsujima Mega Solar Power Plant . Kyocera sells ceramic knives via its web store and retail outlets under
1978-405: Was required to use autofocus with the 21 mm and 35 mm lenses; modified G1 cameras are marked with a green sticker inside the film door, and are known as "green label" G1s to distinguish them from unmodified "silver label" G1s. No G1 could accept the 35–70 mm, as it was a seven contact electrical connection and the G1 only features five contacts. Because the viewfinder was limited to
2024-403: Was required to use autofocus with the 21 mm and 35 mm lenses; modified G1 cameras are marked with a green sticker inside the film door, and are known as "green label" G1s to distinguish them from unmodified "silver label" G1s. No G1 could accept the 35–70 mm, as it was a seven contact electrical connection and the G1 only features five contacts. Because the viewfinder was limited to
2070-504: Was the first to combine BREW capabilities and enhanced brilliant Color displays on entry-level CDMA Handsets, when it demonstrated BREW-enabled handsets at the BREW 2003 Developers Conference. In 2008, Kyocera acquired Sanyo Mobile , the mobile phone division of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. , and its associated operations in Japan, the United States and Canada. In April 2009, Kyocera unveiled its EOS concept phone at CTIA , with an OLED and which
2116-419: Was the last lens to be released, in 2000. All lenses were autofocus with the exception of the Hologon 8/16mm. The flange distance between the front surface of the lens mount and the film plane is only 29 millimetres (1.1 in), and Contax released the GA-1 adaptor which allowed the use of Contax/Yashica mount lenses. Unlike most bayonet-mount lenses, the Contax G mount uses a breech-lock mechanism similar to
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