Hoya will merge Pentax
HOYA Corp. and PENTAX Corp. have announced that they have reached a basic understanding aimed at a management integration of the two companies, expected to be completed on October 1, 2007. The new company’s name will be HOYA PENTAX HD Corporation. Read the full press release here.
The main points are:
- Most changes will affect Pentax Life Care division and Optical Components division
- In the imaging area (compact and SLR digital cameras and accessories): “continuing PENTAX’s imaging systems division“. So K-next-D still will be Pentax and not Hoya Pentax HD.
- Research and development: Integrating HOYA’s research and development center and PENTAX’s research and development division. So maybe future co-developed lenses will be sold with the Pentax name on them for K-mount and with the Tokina name for other mounts.
Hoya is well-known among photographers for their general, colored and special effects filters, and less known as Tokina brand owner. But also it’s one of the major manufacturers of optical glass and health care products with the 70 years of history.
December 21st, 2006 at 5:53 pm
The influx of another companies capital is a good thing for product development I would think. Working along side Tokina lenses and Hoya glass can be a good thing for Pentax lens development. I was not aware Hoya made glass for Tokina and Pentax lenses. This should be good for all concerned.
It all comes down the lenses as far as dSLR photographers are concerned. If the new company puts out more and better lenses with more frequency and good quality that can only be good for photographers.