Author Topic: DHW (Rollei) bankruptcy  (Read 3875 times)

ManuelL

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DHW (Rollei) bankruptcy
« on: March 15, 2015, 02:33:56 PM »
Hello,

just seen this posted on a German forum (link is also in German).
http://www.photoscala.de/Artikel/DHW-Fototechnik-Insolvenzmasse-wird-versteigert
http://www.dhw-fototechnik.de/en/aboutus.html

It is all a bit vague, but it seems that DHW Fototechnik GmbH, the company that has taken over large parts of Rollei after the Rollei bankruptcy, incl. production of the Rollei 35 and medium format cameras, is now also bankrupt. Large parts of the company are planned to be auctioned off in April. Some parts of the company are planned to be kept running including a workshop that should be able to continue servicing of existing Rollei cameras.
« Last Edit: March 15, 2015, 02:35:44 PM by ManuelL »

jojonas~

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Re: DHW (Rollei) bankruptcy
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2015, 05:46:25 PM »
Some parts of the company are planned to be kept running including a workshop that should be able to continue servicing of existing Rollei cameras.
that's atleast good to hear!

top tip: there's a holga with polaroid back somewhere in that auction ;)
/jonas

charles binns

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Re: DHW (Rollei) bankruptcy
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2015, 07:49:58 PM »
Please let this not spell the end of the last brand of IR film! :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Francois

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Re: DHW (Rollei) bankruptcy
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2015, 08:01:02 PM »
I don't think films will be affected since they were already made by somebody else.

But its sad for the nice cameras... looks like top quality is now a secondary concern for many...
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

jojonas~

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Re: DHW (Rollei) bankruptcy
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2015, 08:40:06 AM »
ah, yes. isn't the IR film ordered by maco and made by agfa with the rollei name borrowed for packaging?
/jonas

Late Developer

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Re: DHW (Rollei) bankruptcy
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2015, 09:44:08 AM »
I don't think films will be affected since they were already made by somebody else.

But its sad for the nice cameras... looks like top quality is now a secondary concern for many...
I'm not sure it's just "top quality" that's the issue, per-se. It's tradition, history and finesse that don't seem to count for anything anymore.  Most people who just took snapshots on film point and shoot cameras swapped very easily to the equivalent d*git@l cameras.  Those who wanted to up their game a bit, went for "bridge cameras" and some for DSLRs.  Pros swapped SLR for DSLR almost without noticing. 

Now there are DSLRs and MF backs that can provide up to 50MP resolution - which starts to challenge medium format film resolution, the sheer convenience factor and being able to see the output as you shoot it is too much of a temptation (or perceived necessity) for many commercial / professional photographers. 

Top-end Leica went digital (yes, I know they still build uber-expensive film cameras, too) but some manufacturers - Rollei being the example in point - didn't or couldn't make such an investment (or didn't see a need to make an investment) in their TLR and SLR kit. How many people would buy a new Rollei TLR at a cost of many £thousands? A handful per year....

These are sad days we're living in.  Hasselblad's V system went a year or two back and now, it appears, Rollei is going the same way.  Nikon still manufactures the F6 and FG10(?) but I wonder how many they actually sell.  Leica's sticking in there with film cameras, for now and for the rich, and there's a raft of more specialist 5x4, 10x8 and pinhole kit, toy cameras and that's about it.  Very little other than "niche" products.

Sadly, manufacturing of film kit for mainstream use seems long gone.  It's up to us to keep mending and recycling all the useable stuff and keep sufficient demand for the film stock that remains.
"An ounce of perception. A pound of obscure".

charles binns

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Re: DHW (Rollei) bankruptcy
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2015, 10:08:51 AM »
I don't think films will be affected since they were already made by somebody else.


That is a relief. 

gsgary

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Re: DHW (Rollei) bankruptcy
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2015, 12:36:12 PM »
I don't think films will be affected since they were already made by somebody else.

But its sad for the nice cameras... looks like top quality is now a secondary concern for many...
What about chemicals ? My favourite paper developer is Rollei RPN

Francois

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Re: DHW (Rollei) bankruptcy
« Reply #8 on: March 16, 2015, 01:01:38 PM »
Outsourced too.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.