Kyocera today has announced that the production of all Contax-branded cameras products will cease by the middle of 2005.

The manufacturing of the Contax N Digital, G system, N system and T3 cameras, lenses and accessories wrapped up at the end of March 2005, says a Kyocera press release.

Cameras, lenses and accessories in the Contax 645 line, as well as Contax/Yashica-mount lenses and accessories, will be produced only until the end of this month.

Compact digital cameras bearing the Contax name will continue to be built until the end of June 2005.

The company anticipates that this will enable them to fill most orders for the Contax 645 system through until December 2005. Shipment of other Contax products is expected to wind up earlier, in September 2005.

Service and support of Contax products is expected to continue once shipments cease. A period of 10 years of service is promised.