Kino Precision Industries, Limited was founded in 1959 by Tatsuo Kataoka, making lenses for 8mm movie cameras. In 1965 the company began making lenses for 35mm still cameras. In the 1970s Kino began manufacturing lenses for Ponder & Best (later Vivitar) including some of the highest quality Vivitar Series 1 lenses. Kino also manufactured lenses for Soligor, Jaca Corporation (Panagor, Elicar), and Tapak International (Elicar).
The success of the Kino-designed Vivitar Series 1 lenses convinced Kino that it could market directly to the public. So, in 1980 Kino launched its own brand of lenses in the United States market, called Kiron. The lenses received good reviews in photography magazines and within 12 months, Kiron sales were 4th in the US market of 64 independent lens brands.
In 1986, due to increasing production costs and competition from camera companies introducing lower priced lenses, Kino Precision moved out of the 'chaotic and unpredictable' US consumer market. The move towards auto focus lenses and the patent licensing fees proved to expensive. Kino instead chose to focus on industrial products. By 1989, the company had discontinued the manufacture of camera lenses. Kino Precision merged with Melles Griot Japan in 1989 to form Kino-Melles Griot and began to focus on industrial manufacturing.
In 1986, due to increasing production costs and competition from camera companies introducing lower priced lenses, Kino Precision moved out of the 'chaotic and unpredictable' US consumer market. The move towards auto focus lenses and the patent licensing fees proved to expensive. Kino instead chose to focus on industrial products. By 1989, the company had discontinued the manufacture of camera lenses. Kino Precision merged with Melles Griot Japan in 1989 to form Kino-Melles Griot and began to focus on industrial manufacturing.
Lenses:
.jpg "Kiron 28-210 f/4-5.6 Macro MC")
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