Allendale, NJ—On November 25, 2013, Leica Camera AG finalized its takeover of the Swiss professional camera manufacturer, Sinar Photography AG, Zurich. Both companies agreed that the details of the transaction would not be disclosed.
Sinar Photography AG is a leading manufacturer of equipment for professional view camera photography and a provider of complete digital solutions for view camera photographers. The Sinar product portfolio offers everything from cameras and lenses to digital backs, shutter systems and workflow software.
Marketing, product management, support, development and production will remain in the hands of Sinar in Switzerland. Sales and distribution of the product portfolio will be handled by Leica Camera AG and the worldwide dealer network of Sinar Photography AG.
With this acquisition, Leica Camera AG completes the company’s portfolio in the high-end digital camera segment and expands its position in the market for professional photographic equipment. With the Leica S system, Leica offers an integrated, medium-format digital camera system in line with the company’s brand philosophy. This S system is now complemented by the modular Sinar system and its suitability for studio, industrial and architectural photography. In fact, Sinar already offers a view camera that utilizes an S-system body as a digital back. Synergies will also develop in the fields of digital technology, sales and distribution and in customer care.
Leica offers a complete product portfolio from medium-format digital camera systems to digital view cameras and, with this acquisition, a full range of digital camera systems in formats larger than the 35mm Leica full-frame format.
The acquisition was the culmination of a long-term strategy by Leica to acquire Sinar Photography AG. At photokina 2006, Leica announced it had purchased a 51% controlling share, but the deal fell through three months later. Seven years later, Leica has succeeded.
Sinar Photography, headquartered in Zurich, goes back to the photo studio of the Swiss photographer Carl August Koch. The grandson of Carl Hans Koch developed the first Sinar camera that was brought to market in 1948. The name “Sinar” stands for studio, industrial, nature, architecture and repro photography. us.leica-camera.com