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The L-Mount Alliance continues to grow
The L-Mount Alliance continues to grow
September 26, 2023
The portfolio ranges from outstanding, full-format, entry-level equipment, to extremely robust professional models. Some cameras primarily meet the requirements of photographers, others are suitable for even the most elaborate of Hollywood productions, and still others are predestined to be used on drones. This diversity, as well as the high technical and optical performance, is only found within the community currently consisting of eight alliance partners, who all make use of the L-mount developed by Leica in 2014 for mirrorless system cameras.
In 2018, Leica, Sigma and Panasonic gave birth to the L-Mount Alliance and filled it with life. Leica with the Leica CL APS-C model, as well as the full-format SL2 and SL2-S – in black, silver-coloured and the green Reporter model. Sigma added the extremely compact fp and fp L cameras, which, barely larger than a cigarette pack, feel most comfortable in a cage and/or under a drone. At the moment, it is Panasonic who are offering the greatest diversity, including the meteoric S1 and S1R (comparable to the Leica SL2(-S) models), the video optimised S1H with built-in cooling fan, the BS1H box camera, and the more compact S5 (in three types, with the two current S5II and S5IIX models with hybrid autofocus). Furthermore, all three L-Mount pioneers offer an enormous portfolio of prime and zoom lenses. Last year, together with Lumix (Panasonic), Leica also announced the L squared technology initiative, the banner under which both companies want to combine their innovative power, even more.
Long anticipated, Leitz joined the L-Mount Alliance in 2021, opening the door to the extraordinary cinema lenses made in Wetzlar. In this regard, it is certainly interesting that videographers – but also photographers – like to adapt Leica M lenses to the L-mount in order to be able to use the particular aesthetics of these lenses.
Things progressed fast. In 2022, DJI, a leading manufacturer of camera drones and gimbals, joined the alliance. Within the framework of a partnership with Leica Camera AG, DJI introduced the Zenmuse X9 L-Mount Unit. With this, users of the modular DJI Ronin 4D system could now set L-mount lenses on their cameras, thus expanding their creative potential for demanding photo and video productions. Astrodesign, Samyang and Blackmagic Design were to follow in 2023.
According to Stefan Schulz, Head of Leica Product Management for professional camera systems, Astrodesign is, without a doubt, among the top innovators in the field of professional video applications, while Samyang is a versatile lens manufacturer “that has developed an impressive lens portfolio for photography and cinematography in a short time”.
“The creativity of film makers using these incredible Leica, Sigma and Panasonic lenses never ceases to impress me,” says Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design, a creative pioneer of innovative video technology based in Australia. “I can’t wait to see what Blackmagic Design customers manage to create with all the incredible new L-mount compatible lenses,” he adds. Known for its groundbreaking, intuitive video cameras, Blackmagic Design says it particularly appreciates the large inner diameter of the L-mount, the small flange focal length that ensures maximum compatibility, and the play with an extremely low plane of focus, that the L-mount lenses make possible.
Tobias Habura-SternIn 2018, Leica, Sigma and Panasonic gave birth to the L-Mount Alliance and filled it with life. Leica with the Leica CL APS-C model, as well as the full-format SL2 and SL2-S – in black, silver-coloured and the green Reporter model. Sigma added the extremely compact fp and fp L cameras, which, barely larger than a cigarette pack, feel most comfortable in a cage and/or under a drone. At the moment, it is Panasonic who are offering the greatest diversity, including the meteoric S1 and S1R (comparable to the Leica SL2(-S) models), the video optimised S1H with built-in cooling fan, the BS1H box camera, and the more compact S5 (in three types, with the two current S5II and S5IIX models with hybrid autofocus). Furthermore, all three L-Mount pioneers offer an enormous portfolio of prime and zoom lenses. Last year, together with Lumix (Panasonic), Leica also announced the L squared technology initiative, the banner under which both companies want to combine their innovative power, even more.
Long anticipated, Leitz joined the L-Mount Alliance in 2021, opening the door to the extraordinary cinema lenses made in Wetzlar. In this regard, it is certainly interesting that videographers – but also photographers – like to adapt Leica M lenses to the L-mount in order to be able to use the particular aesthetics of these lenses.
Things progressed fast. In 2022, DJI, a leading manufacturer of camera drones and gimbals, joined the alliance. Within the framework of a partnership with Leica Camera AG, DJI introduced the Zenmuse X9 L-Mount Unit. With this, users of the modular DJI Ronin 4D system could now set L-mount lenses on their cameras, thus expanding their creative potential for demanding photo and video productions. Astrodesign, Samyang and Blackmagic Design were to follow in 2023.
According to Stefan Schulz, Head of Leica Product Management for professional camera systems, Astrodesign is, without a doubt, among the top innovators in the field of professional video applications, while Samyang is a versatile lens manufacturer “that has developed an impressive lens portfolio for photography and cinematography in a short time”.
“The creativity of film makers using these incredible Leica, Sigma and Panasonic lenses never ceases to impress me,” says Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design, a creative pioneer of innovative video technology based in Australia. “I can’t wait to see what Blackmagic Design customers manage to create with all the incredible new L-mount compatible lenses,” he adds. Known for its groundbreaking, intuitive video cameras, Blackmagic Design says it particularly appreciates the large inner diameter of the L-mount, the small flange focal length that ensures maximum compatibility, and the play with an extremely low plane of focus, that the L-mount lenses make possible.
