A desperate bid to save Mamiya's medium format camera business appears to be underway

UPDATE: Press release: Mamiya Transfers Camera and Optical Division

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Overnight we have been receiving reports that Mamiya, best know for its medium format cameras, is in trouble. Although one of its marketing slogans is 'Master of the Medium' it looks like Mamiya is not currently the master of its own destiny.

The long-awaited 21 megapixel monster Mamiya ZD does not appear to have been enough to enable Mamiya to keep making medium format cameras and lenses

Mamiya is a long-established and much-cherished name in the photography world, especially among photographers who have used its twin lens and single lens reflex medium format cameras over the years. News is still sketchy, but according to DPNow forum regular, Yoshi, who is based in Japan, and Bob Ross, another industry watcher and DPNow regular, it looks like Mamiya is about to offload its medium format camera division for less than a million dollars.

Mamiya has been seen as one of the survivors of a hard-hit medium format industry that has seen the likes of Bronica and Contax wilt in the face of heat from the digital revolution. Mamiya launched its ambitious 21 megapixel medium format DSLR at the end of last year but it now appears that sales have not been strong enough for Mamiya to sustain it and the rest of the medium format division.

Rumour has it that the whole medium format division could be sold off for a give-away price in an attempt to guarantee its future, but there is very little detail about this option.

We'll bring updates as we receive them.