Swiss camera manufacturer Sinar relies on Lenses from Oberkochen, Germany

Oberkochen/Cologne, Germany; Feuerthalen, Switzerland - September 28, 2004 - the transition from chemical film to direct digital exposures already enables medium format image sensors to achieve the extraordinary quality that was previously only possible with chemical large format cameras. As a result, digital medium format is considered the upper class of photography, whether adapted to special cameras in a studio or mobile with SLR cameras. Carl Zeiss, worldwide leading provider of lenses for medium format photography with more than 40 different types for four different camera manufacturers, announces its cooperation with Sinar, the Swiss manufacturer of top-class cameras for professional photography.

The Sinaron Digital AF program from Carl Zeiss for Sinar is being launched with four autofocus lenses. The optical design of the lenses is optimized for digital high-end photography. Together with the Sinar Digitalbacks, with 22 megapixel resolution and 49x36mm image format, and the Sinar digital cameras, they form a service package.

Carl J. Koch, Marketing Director at Sinar says "our demanding customers continually requested more powerful lenses for their demanding, on-location shootings. Contacting Carl Zeiss was the logical result. We look forward to offering a product line in the future that stretches from lenses to digital image receivers, also in a compact, modular professional camera system, the Sinar m, which fulfills the highest professional demands." For Christian Bannert, head of development in the Camera Lens Division at Carl Zeiss, this cooperation made complete sense: "When Sinar approached us two years ago at Photokina, we quickly realized that two similar realities would come together. The culture of both companies fits well with the drive for precision and the clear goal of providing professional photographers with the best equipment.

With Hasselblad, Rollei, Alpa and Kyocera with the Contax 645, Sinar is Carl Zeiss' fifth partner in the medium format segment. Dr. Winfried Scherle, head of the Camera Lens Division at Carl Zeiss is convinced that "the cooperation with Sinar will enable us to expand our strong position in medium format. The growth potential is there." Delivery is scheduled to begin in early 2005.

Carl Zeiss is a leading international group of companies operating worldwide in the optical and opto-electronic industry. Carl Zeiss AG is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany.

The Carl Zeiss Group is structured as six business groups that operate with sole responsibility. They are generally ranked first or second in the three strategic markets of biosciences and medical technology, system solutions for industry and optical consumer goods. They offer products and services for biomedical research and medical technology, system solutions for the semiconductor, automotive and mechanical engineering industries, as well as high quality consumer goods such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.

The Carl Zeiss Group is directly represented in more than 30 countries and operates production facilities in Europe, America and Asia. In fiscal year 2002/03 the global workforce of approximately 14,000 employees generated revenue of about EUR 2 billion. Further information is available at www.zeiss.com.