Century Precision Optics

Century Precision Optics is an American optical manufacturing brand established in 1948 in North Hollywood, California, originally under the name Century Photo Optics. The company developed lenses and related optical products for professional imaging and specialized applications rather than for the mass consumer camera market. Its documented product scope includes digital, broadcast, projection, and industrial lenses. A major period of development began in 1973, when Steven Manios Sr. purchased the company. During his ownership, Century developed a number of optical designs and expanded its identity as a specialist supplier. The business later changed hands several times. Manios sold Century to Tinsley Laboratories in 1993, and Schneider Optics, the United States subsidiary of the German optical manufacturer Schneider-Kreuznach, acquired it in 2000. The Century name continued after the acquisition as a Schneider brand. The company received an Academy Award for Technical Achievement in 1991, recognizing a contribution to motion-picture technology. This award is an important indicator of the brand's historical relevance in professional cinematography and technical optics, although the available reference material does not specify the exact product or technology honored. Century has been associated with operations in Hauppauge, New York, and Van Nuys, California. Its portfolio spans optical equipment for professional video and cinema-related imaging, broadcast systems, projection, and industrial use. The brand's positioning is therefore rooted in specialist optical engineering, application-specific performance, and professional production environments. Century remains identified with Schneider Optics rather than operating as an independent publicly listed company. The available reference material does not provide a current standalone revenue figure, employee count, website, detailed catalog, or a complete list of current executives. Steven Manios Sr., who played a central ownership and product-development role, died in January 2021 from COVID-19 at the age of 82.

Century Precision Optics began in 1948 in North Hollywood, California, as Century Photo Optics. It was established as a lens manufacturing business serving specialized optical and imaging requirements. The company later became known as Century Precision Optics and developed a range of lenses for digital imaging, broadcasting, projection, and industrial applications. In 1973, Steven Manios Sr. purchased the company. His ownership marked a significant phase in the brand's development. Manios was credited with creating many of the company's optical products, and Century continued to build a reputation for specialized lenses and professional optical engineering. The brand's products were associated with technical imaging environments, including professional video, broadcast, cinema-related work, and other applications where interchangeable or purpose-built optics were required. Century received an Academy Award for Technical Achievement in 1991. The award confirmed the company's relevance to motion-picture technology, although the available reference does not identify the precise innovation recognized. Two years later, in 1993, Manios sold the company to Tinsley Laboratories. In 2000, Century was acquired by Schneider Optics, the United States subsidiary of the German firm Schneider-Kreuznach. Following the transaction, Century continued as a Schneider brand rather than disappearing as a product identity. The company has been associated with offices in Hauppauge, New York, and Van Nuys, California. Its documented business scope includes digital lenses, broadcast lenses, projection lenses, and industrial lenses. These categories place Century in the professional and specialized optical-equipment sector rather than the general consumer-camera market. The reference material does not provide a detailed chronology of individual product launches, a full account of the Academy Award technology, current financial data, or a comprehensive list of present-day management. Steven Manios Sr. died in January 2021 from COVID-19 at the age of 82. Century Precision Optics remains identified with Schneider Optics and the broader Schneider-Kreuznach optical group.

• 2021

  Death of Steven Manios Sr.

  [1]Century Precision Opticsen.wikipedia.org

  Steven Manios Sr. died in January 2021 from COVID-19 at age 82.

• 2000

  Acquisition by Schneider Optics

  [1]Century Precision Opticsen.wikipedia.org

  Schneider Optics acquired the company, and Century continued as a Schneider brand.

• 1993

  Sale to Tinsley Laboratories

  [1]Century Precision Opticsen.wikipedia.org

  Manios sold Century Precision Optics to Tinsley Laboratories.

• 1991

  Academy Award for Technical Achievement

  [1]Century Precision Opticsen.wikipedia.org

  Century received an Academy Award for Technical Achievement connected with motion-picture technology.

• 1973

  Steven Manios Sr. purchases the company

  [1]Century Precision Opticsen.wikipedia.org

  Steven Manios Sr. acquired the company and subsequently developed many of its optical products.

• 1948

  Company founded as Century Photo Optics

  [1]Century Precision Opticsen.wikipedia.org

  The company was established in North Hollywood, California, as Century Photo Optics, beginning its work as a lens manufacturing business.

A specialist professional-optics brand focused on application-specific lenses for digital imaging, broadcasting, projection, motion-picture technology, and industrial use.

• Professional imaging optics

  Digital lenses

  Century's digital-lens business covers optical products intended for professional digital imaging systems. The available reference identifies this as a core product area but does not provide a complete model list, technical specifications, or current availability.

• Broadcast optics

  Broadcast lenses

  The brand manufactures lenses for broadcast applications, placing its products in professional television and video-production environments. Specific focal lengths, mounts, product families, and current models are not identified in the available source.

• Projection optics

  Projection lenses

  Century produces projection lenses for specialized display or projection systems. The source confirms the category but does not describe individual products, launch dates, or technical performance.

• Industrial optics

  Industrial lenses

  Industrial lenses form another documented part of Century's portfolio, serving application-specific optical requirements outside conventional consumer photography. Detailed industrial sectors and product specifications are not available in the reference material.

• 2000

  Acquisition by Schneider OpticsM&A

  Background

  Century Precision Optics had become an established specialist lens manufacturer with digital, broadcast, projection, and industrial applications.

  Action taken

  Schneider Optics, the United States subsidiary of Schneider-Kreuznach, acquired Century Precision Optics.

  Aftermath

  Century continued as a Schneider brand, preserving its name within the acquiring group's optical business.

  Source

• 1993

  Sale of Century Precision Optics to Tinsley LaboratoriesM&A

  Background

  After two decades under Steven Manios Sr.'s ownership, Century changed ownership in 1993.

  Action taken

  Manios sold the company to Tinsley Laboratories.

  Aftermath

  The transaction preceded Century's later acquisition by Schneider Optics and the continuation of the Century name within the Schneider brand portfolio.

  Source

1. 1Century Precision Opticsen.wikipedia.org