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Schneider-Kreuznach lenses seem to be found only on Samsung and Kodak digital cameras....?

...Are Samsung and Kodak related? I'm wondering if Kodak makes the Samsung cameras or, more likely, Samsung makes the Kodak cameras. I'm also wondering how the Samsung and Kodak companies are related to Schneider and if, in fact, the Schneider that makes the classic professionally-oriented lenses, like the Super-Angulon, and the Schneider that makes the lenses for modern digital cameras, like the Samsung and Kodak, are not in fact different companies. And finally, are any of these lenses still made in Germany? It seems there's a tale to be told here.

Public Comments

1. Samsung is rebadging and modifying pentax cameras. For example, the new Samsung Digimax GX-1S is based on the Pentax *ist DS2. I believe the only differences are the badges and labels. The idea is for Pentax to sell to the photography enthusiasts and for Samsung to sell, via the BestBuys of the world) to the entry level market. I'm not aware of any relationship between Samsung and Kodak.
2. See Samsung: www.samsungcamera.com/ According to Wikipedia: "Many of Kodak's earlier digital cameras were designed and built by Chinon Industries Chinon, a Japanese camera manufacturer. In 2004, Kodak Japan acquired Chinon and many of their engineers and designers joined Kodak Japan. In July, 2006, Kodak announced that Flextronics would manufacture and help design their digital cameras." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodak#Cameras See also: www.kodak.com As for the lenses, Schneider Kreuznach (according to this reference) is currently the original equipment manufacturer "lens maker for Kodak and Samsung digital cameras" Reference: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schneider_Kreuznach Schneider Kreuznach does have an U.S. subsidiary "Schneider Optics". See also: www.schneideroptics.com **** That's all a bit piecemeal but perhaps provides you with enough clues to do a little research on your own.