Source – No Film School
In a significant strategic move, Nikon has officially acquired RED Digital Cinema, the renowned company founded by Jim Jannard, best known for its cutting-edge digital cinema cameras, including the RED One 4K and V-Raptor X. The acquisition, detailed in Nikon’s recent press release, signifies the establishment of RED as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the camera giant, with specific terms of the deal undisclosed.
Nikon aims to leverage this acquisition to expand its presence in the professional digital cinema camera market, capitalizing on RED’s expertise in cinema cameras, including unique image compression technology and color science. This collaboration is poised to redefine the boundaries of the professional digital cinema camera market, as the two entities synergize their strengths.
RED Digital Cinema’s Impressive Track Record and Nikon’s Vision
RED, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Foothill Ranch, California, has approximately 220 employees, according to Nikon’s press release. The company boasts an impressive track record, with its cameras being utilized in the production of major films and TV shows, such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Captain Marvel, Planet Earth II, Squid Game, Mindhunter, Peaky Blinders, and The Queen’s Gambit. Nikon sees this acquisition as an opportunity to tap into RED’s vast knowledge and experience, particularly in image technology and color science.
RED Digital Cinema’s President, Jarred Land, enthusiastically announced the news on Instagram, captioning an image with a teasing “Heh heh heh…” This collaboration is expected to mark a significant milestone for both companies, blending Nikon’s established heritage in professional and consumer imaging with RED’s innovative prowess. The promise of exciting future product development suggests a commitment to pushing the boundaries of film and video production possibilities.
A Swift Turnaround from Legal Disputes to Collaboration
Interestingly, this acquisition comes less than a year after RED’s legal battle against Nikon. In 2022, RED filed a lawsuit against Nikon, alleging infringement of its video compression patents related to the Nikon Z9 camera’s firmware update. However, the case was dismissed in April, with Nikon challenging the legitimacy of RED’s patents. Despite this legal hiccup, the two companies have now come together in a collaboration that appears to have transcended past disagreements.
It is worth noting that, in addition to its acclaimed digital cinema cameras, RED Digital Cinema ventured into the smartphone market in 2018 with the RED Hydrogen One. Unfortunately, the phone, featuring a holographic display and modular add-on support, faced critical failure and was discontinued after just a year, highlighting the challenges of diversification in the tech industry.
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