Zeiss not happy about babyPrimes lenses

• 13 years ago
• Categories: Zeiss

Update: it seems that Kelvinkamera is in even deeper troubles since (elegantly) is using photographs on their website without permission. The owner of the photograph happened to be a PhotoRumors reader.

A week ago Kelvinkamera announced their own line of Zeiss babyPrime lenses. Those are regular Zeiss lenses with a custom made housing for aperture and focusing control:

• Carl Zeiss ZF.2 high quality optics inside, robust and reliable construction for professional use.
• Full-Frame coverage (24 x 36mm) for all the focal lengths 18 to 100mm (50and 100mm makro).
• No need for adapter solutions anymore, special custom stainless-steel interchangeable mounts.
• Four different mounts available (EF, F, E and MTF Mount), open to future applications.
• Improved ergonomics with left and right side meter/feet, iris scales with enhanced graphics.
• Consistent front diameter of 95mm, for simplified use of lightweight 4X4/4x5,65 matteboxes and filters.
• Independent filmmakers price range, different set choices and upgrades.
• Special ultra-lightweight dedicated clip-on matte box available with the different kit solutions.
• Custom rehousing engineering made in Italy.
• Estimate delivery for the end of July 2011

It seems that Carl Zeiss AG is not very happy with this development and released this statement few days ago:

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

We would like to address a report that has been released by the company Kelvinkamera+ on June 5th regarding Carl Zeiss as an e-mail press release. This report contains several statements that need to be clarified for the benefit of our customers. We would be very grateful to receive your support in this undertaking.

In the report, the company Kelvinkamera+ has announced a new line of lenses to be called “Carl Zeiss babyPrimes.” It also states that the company has reached an agreement with Carl Zeiss. Furthermore, the report declares that the manufacturer has already worked on an earlier project at Carl Zeiss (DigiPrimes). This gives the impression that the babyPrime lenses were created together with, or with the approval of, Carl Zeiss.

However, these statements do not reflect the truth. Since Carl Zeiss enjoys a very good reputation in camera lenses of high quality and performance we would like to clarify the situation for the benefit of our customers:

• Carl Zeiss is in no way involved in the babyPrimes project or product of and does not maintain a relationship to the manufacturer.
• The company Kelvinkamera+ or the quoted persons were not and are not in any form involved in the DigiPrime project or other projects at Carl Zeiss.
• Carl Zeiss cannot confirm that the optics used in the advertised product line are from Carl Zeiss, nor can we confirm that these optics meet the typically high standards of a Carl Zeiss lens
• All Carl Zeiss lenses are subject to extreme specifications, tests and measurements to ensure the respected Carl Zeiss Quality from their development to production to use. In this case, it is not permitted to label these products as “Carl Zeiss” lenses.
• We would like to emphasize that Carl Zeiss cannot accept any liability for products that have been altered through unauthorized modifications. Therefore these products cannot be covered under the international warranty of Carl Zeiss.

For 120 years, Carl Zeiss lenses have been known for their outstanding performance, quality and reliability. In manufacturing these lenses, we take advantage of everything that is optically and mechanically possible to create an extraordinary product experience from development to production to use of the lens. This is just one of the many reasons for the outstanding reputation enjoyed by the name ZEISS among photographers and moviemakers around the globe.In case you have further questions please don't hesitate to contact us.

Via Zeissrumors