Jobo
JOBO International GmbH is a German, family-owned manufacturer of professional analog photography equipment, photographic chemistry, and the LensTRUE digital perspective correction system, serving professional photographers and fine art printers globally through direct-to-consumer e-commerce.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1923
- HeadquartersGummersbach, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Jobo does
JOBO International GmbH is a German, family-owned manufacturer of professional analog photography equipment, photographic chemistry, and digital perspective correction systems, headquartered in Gummersbach, Germany. Founded in 1923 and currently operated by third-generation owner Johannes Bockemühl-Simon, the company serves professional photographers, large-format photography enthusiasts, and fine art printers. The product portfolio spans six categories: Chamonix large format cameras, JOBO Analog film processors, JOBO Chemie photographic chemistry, the LensTRUE digital perspective correction system, Fine Art printing solutions, and branded merchandise. Notable users include photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto, who relied on JOBO processors and the Expert Drum for his Seascapes series.
JOBO's core analog products include the Colorprocessor CPE-3 with lift kit, which delivers uniform film development without streaking, and chemistry systems covering ECN-2 (motion picture), C-41 (color negative), and E-6 (color slide) processes. The most differentiated product is the LensTRUE System, which combines an electronic inclinometer (LensTRUE meter) with proprietary RAW conversion software (LensTRUE Visualizer/final) to automatically correct keystoning and perspective distortion. The system delivers up to 35 degrees of correction, effectively converting standard lenses into shift-lens equivalents, and is available in Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Leica mount variants.
JOBO operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce business through jobo.com, shipping internationally with payment options including prepayment, credit card, and PayPal. Pricing is primarily transactional one-time hardware sales, with the LensTRUE System ranging from EUR 690 to EUR 990 (USD 1,190 in the US market) plus a EUR 50 short-term rental option. The company maintains distribution partnerships with Chamonix and ILFORD and operates ancillary properties including joboartisan.com for workshops and lab services, and lenstrue.com. With 1-10 employees and no external funding, JOBO is a vertically specialized niche operator in professional photography equipment.
Jobo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Jobo
- Legal name
- JOBO International GmbH
- Website
- https://jobo.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1923
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- JOBO International GmbH is a German, family-owned manufacturer of professional analog photography equipment, photographic chemistry, and the LensTRUE digital perspective correction system, serving professional photographers and fine art printers globally through direct-to-consumer e-commerce.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Jobo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Analog Photography Equipment
- NAICS
- Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, Chemical, and Copy Toner Manufacturing (325992)
- SIC
- Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Photo Printing & Imaging Supplies Retail (Printers, Paper, Ink, Darkroom) (CRACAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Camera & Lens Retail (Photo Cameras, Lenses & Optical Accessories) (CRACAHAA), Photo & Video Output Devices (Printers, Portable Photo Printers, Photo Frames) (CRACAPAL), Lenses & Optical Accessories (Lenses, Filters, Adapters, Teleconverters) (CRACAPAF)
Keywords
Where Jobo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gummersbach
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Jobo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of photography equipment including film processors, lens correction systems, large format cameras, and accessories
- Chemistry Products: Sale of photographic chemistry including developers for ECN-2, C-41, and E-6 film processes
- Fine Art Products: Sale of fine art printing equipment and supplies including UV printers and artisan platinum solutions
- LensTRUE Rental: Rental option for LensTRUE system at EUR 50 for short-term use
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | LensTRUE System Canon - EUR 690 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | LensTRUE System Nikon - EUR 690 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | LensTRUE System Sony - EUR 990 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | LensTRUE System M (Leica) - EUR 990 |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | LensTRUE Rental - EUR 50 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | LensTRUE System - USD 1,190 (USA) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Jobo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Jobo manufactures and sells analog photography equipment and accessories, including film processors (e.g., Colorprocessor CPE-3), photographic chemistry (ECN-2, C-41, E-6 developers), Chamonix large format 4x5 cameras, and the proprietary LensTRUE hardware-software system for perspective correction in digital photography. The company also offers fine art printing solutions (UV printers, platinum chemistry) and branded merchandise, selling directly to professional photographers and enthusiasts worldwide via its own e-commerce store.
Product overview
JOBO is a German manufacturer of professional photographic equipment founded in 1923, now operated by JOBO International GmbH based in Gummersbach, Germany. The product portfolio consists of six main categories: Chamonix large format cameras for professional photography; JOBO Analog film processors for darkroom use; JOBO Chemie photographic chemistry products (ECN-2, C-41, E-6 developers); the Digital Pro Line featuring the LensTRUE System for perspective and distortion correction; Fine Art printing solutions; and JOBO Merch branded merchandise. The company serves professional photographers, particularly noting use by renowned photographers like Hiroshi Sugimoto for his Seascapes series.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Chamonix: Large format cameras for professional photography
- LensTRUE System
Products and services
- Chamonix Large Format Cameras Chamonix large format cameras (4x5 inch) for professional photography, including the Chamonix C45H-1 model. Distributed by Jobo for professional photographers working in large format photography.
- JOBO Analog Film Processors Analog film processing equipment including the Colorprocessor CPE-3 Lift Kit and related processors for professional darkroom work, delivering uniform film development without streaking for professional photographers.
- JOBO Chemie (Photographic Chemistry) Photographic chemistry products including ECN-2 Developer, C-41 Color Negative Developer, and E-6 Color Positive Developer for professional color negative, motion picture, and slide film processing.
- LensTRUE System Hardware and software system for perspective correction and lens distortion correction in digital photography. Combines an electronic inclinometer (LensTRUE meter) with RAW conversion software (LensTRUE final/Visualizer) that transforms standard lenses into shift-lens equivalents with up to 35 degrees of correction. Available for Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Leica M mounts.
- Fine Art Printing Solutions Fine art printing solutions including artisan PLATINUM printers and ILFORD Platinum Solution (10 ml) for high-quality photographic prints using platinum/palladium processes and UV printing, for professional fine art printmakers.
Companies that use Jobo
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Jobo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Jobo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- LensTRUEcoreJOBO develops and sells the LensTRUE perspective correction system - a hardware and software solution for automatic perspective correction in photography. The LensTRUE Visualizer software is a proprietary RAW converter with automatic correction capabilities.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Jobo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lensbaby: Maker of specialty lens-effect optics (tilt, shift, soft focus) for digital cameras. Most direct comparable to JOBO's LensTRUE perspective-correction product, addressing the same photographers.
- Bostick & Sullivan: Specialty manufacturer of platinum/palladium and alternative-process printing chemistry and UV exposure units. Direct peer to JOBO's Fine Art line (artisan PLATINUM, ILFORD Platinum Solution).
- ILFORD Photo: ILFORD is a primary photographic chemistry and film/print paper manufacturer. JOBO already resells ILFORD Platinum Solution and competes/overlaps with JOBO Chemie across darkroom consumables.
- Tetenal: German photographic chemistry maker offering E-6, C-41, and process kits. Directly competes with JOBO Chemie in the European analog chemistry market.
- Paterson Photographic: UK maker of darkroom processing equipment, chemistry, and accessories. Closest functional peer to JOBO Analog processors and JOBO Chemie.
- CineStill Film: US-based maker of motion-picture and still photographic chemistry (C-41, ECN-2 kits). Overlaps directly with JOBO's ECN-2/C-41/E-6 developer portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- Calumet Photographic: European (German/Dutch roots) photo retailer and rental house serving pro photographers. Comparable in customer base (pro studios) and adjacent in rental services to JOBO's LensTRUE rental offering.
- Adorama: Large US photo equipment retailer offering cameras, lenses, lighting, chemistry, and printing supplies. Competes with JOBO for digital photography professionals via broader assortment.
- B&H Photo Video: Massive US photo/video retailer selling cameras, lenses, darkroom gear, chemistry, and printers across all major brands. JOBO sits as a niche specialist within the broader B&H catalog universe.
Regional players
- Arista Photo: US distributor of analog photo chemistry, paper, and lab supplies under the Arista brand. Functionally comparable to JOBO Chemie but focused on the North American market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Jobo social profiles
Digital presenceJobo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Jobo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Jobo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Jobo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Jobo
What does Jobo do?
Jobo manufactures and sells analog photography equipment and accessories, including film processors (e.g., Colorprocessor CPE-3), photographic chemistry (ECN-2, C-41, E-6 developers), Chamonix large format 4x5 cameras, and the proprietary LensTRUE hardware-software system for perspective correction in digital photography. The company also offers fine art printing solutions (UV printers, platinum chemistry) and branded merchandise, selling directly to professional photographers and enthusiasts worldwide via its own e-commerce store.
Is Jobo a public or private company?
Jobo is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Jobo founded?
Jobo was founded in 1923. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Jobo based?
Jobo is headquartered in Gummersbach, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Jobo make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are chemistry Products, fine Art Products and lensTRUE Rental.
Who are Jobo's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lensbaby, Bostick & Sullivan, ILFORD Photo, Tetenal, Paterson Photographic and CineStill Film. Broad incumbents are Calumet Photographic, Adorama and B&H Photo Video. Arista Photo is listed as a regional player.
Does Jobo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Jobo.
What industry is Jobo in?
Jobo's product category is Analog Photography Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAHAJ, Photo Printing & Imaging Supplies Retail (Printers, Paper, Ink, Darkroom), with a secondary code of CRACAHAA, Camera & Lens Retail (Photo Cameras, Lenses & Optical Accessories). Its NAICS code is 325992 and its SIC code is 3861.