Mamiya

Mamiya — history

Mamiya began in Tokyo in 1940, combining camera designer Seiichi Mamiya's ideas with the financial backing of Tsunejiro Sugawara. The company established in-house shutter and lens production soon after the Second World War and became especially known for professional medium-format cameras.

Mamiya's history includes several corporate reorganizations. The parent company adopted the Mamiya-OP name in 1993, and its camera and lens manufacturing subsidiaries were consolidated as Mamiya Co., Ltd. in 1994. This structure supported the company's final major generations of professional film cameras.

Mamiya-OP withdrew from the optical business in 2006, after which the camera operations continued through successor ownership. The Mamiya name remains closely associated with modular medium-format systems, leaf-shutter lenses, and cameras designed for professional image quality outside the 35mm format.