[Klaus]

https://photorumors.com/2025/02/26/surprise-schneider-kreuznach-x-lk-samyang-14-24mm-f-2-8-lens-for-sony-e-mount-2025-cp/#more-193846

Is this more than badging?

[Rover]

Oh, and with 77mm filter thread to boot? Colour me interested.

[Mistral75]

Is this more than badging?

Interview with the president of the Korean lens brand "SAMYANG" - Digital Camera Watch

Quote from the interview linked above:

How did your collaboration with Schneider Kreuznach begin?

President Koo: We first contacted Schneider about collaborating in machine vision-related areas, and in July 2024, we signed an MOU (memorandum of understanding) for strategic collaboration, and from there we began to talk in concrete terms. As we exchanged views on what areas we would cooperate in, we decided to cooperate in the field of photographic lenses and use our brands together. We will also work together on technical cooperation and marketing.

Schneider doesn't have much new to offer in the photography industry today other than filters. So they are thinking of making a comeback in the photography industry by collaborating with us. The timing of our cooperation is perfect.

We have been talking about cooperating in various optics-related fields, such as inspection equipment for production lines, to develop products in the future. We first contacted Schneider to see if we could cooperate on lenses for inspection equipment, but as we actually proceeded with OEM discussions with Schneider, we came to the conclusion that we would work on photographic lenses.

--How will this cooperation affect SAMYANG?

President Koo: The lens was designed by SAMYANG, but we wanted to use the Schneider name when we released it. However, as Schneider, we cannot release a product unless it is of a quality worthy of the name, so we had the product tested and approved. Our company does not have such a long history in the field of AF zoom lenses, so it was very important to get the OK from a well-established company like Schneider.
 
--While working with Schneider, did you notice any cultural differences?

Technical manager: If I had to describe it in one word, it would be "conservative". We often set specifications with yield and mass production in mind, but Schneider would not accept a product unless its optical performance exceeded the standards we set. That was a challenge.

[stoppingdown]

I still remember the Sony SEL1670A badged by Zeiss, with a mediocre quality testing...