The Leica SL3 is the latest entry in the high-megapixel camera arena and the first for L-mount in some time. I was excited to get it in my hands, even if it was still in the pre-production phase.
It has been a great year for the L-Mount Alliance. The alliance welcomed new members Samyang and Astrodesign in July, and Blackmagic Design joined in September.
Sigma has not released a new camera since 2021 and doesn't currently have an APS-C camera, otherwise known as a crop sensor, in its lineup. In fact, it hasn't made one since the sd Quattro in 2016. That should change, and I believe it's about to.
Fotodiox's RhinoCam Vertex stitching adapters have been available for some time but the company finally has a version for L-mount cameras.
Yesterday, Blackmagic Design announced its first-ever full-frame cinema camera, the Cinema Camera 6K. The camera is significant for many reasons, not the least of which is that the full-frame camera sports an L-Mount, marking Blackmagic Design's entry into the growing L-Mount Alliance.
The L Mount Alliance has acquired two new members: Samyang and Astrodesign. While the latter is likely less known to photography enthusiasts, Samyang is quite a well-known brand that has become relatively respected over the last few years.
Leica is giving its SL2-S the "Reporter" treatment, outfitting the camera with a more resilient exterior to make it better able to resist extreme temperatures, shocks, dust, and water.
Panasonic will release a mirrorless camera that it will jointly develop with Leica "in about a year" that is the result of the expanded partnership the two brands signed in May.
DJI has announced that it is joining the L-mount alliance, becoming the fifth member of the group along with Leica, Sigma, Panasonic, and Leitz Cine.
Panasonic and Leica have announced a new agreement for a comprehensive business alliance and work even more closely together to develop new technologies under the name L2 Technology (L squared Technology).
Sigma has announced the 20mm f/2 DG DN lens, its seventh and widest optic in the all-metal I Series of compact primes. The lens will be available for both Sony E-Mount and Leica L-Mount.
Panasonic has announced a new large-aperture wide prime lens, the Lumix S 35mm f/1.8. This is the fourth of four promised lenses in the f/1.8 fixed focal series that also features an 85mm, 50mm, and 24mm, all announced in the last year.
Panasonic has officially announced the Lumix S 24mm f/1.8 for full-frame L-mount cameras, the third of four f/1.8 prime lenses promised by the company.
Panasonic will soon release a new wide-angle fast prime lens according to a new report. If true, it would be the third in a set of four f/1.8 prime lenses the company originally revealed last fall.
Venus Optics has announced that Nikon Z, Canon RF, Leica L, and Canon EOS-M mount options have now been added to seven existing Laowa lenses.
Sigma has announced the 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sport lens for Sony E-mount and Leica L-mount. It is the company's first ultra-telephoto zoom lens that Sigma says has been developed from the ground up specifically for full-frame mirrorless cameras.
Zhong Yi (ZY) Optics has announced that the mirrorless Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 lens originally launched for Sony E-mount, Canon RF-mount, and Nikon Z-mount (and later came to Leica M-mount) is now available for Leica L-mount. It is the first-ever f/0.95 lens that has been produced for L-mount.
Leica recently introduced its $2,795 Vario-Elmarti-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens, the latest zoom lens for L-Mount systems. It's not what most would call "cheap," but it certainly is inexpensive compared to the rest of Leica's lineup. But does that mean a dip in performance?
Leica recently announced that it would be bringing a 24-70mm f/2.8 to its first-party L-mount lens lineup, but there has been speculation that the lens is simply a rebranded Sigma Art optic.
Leica has announced its version of the popular "desert island" lens in the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH., what it calls an "ideal lens with broad appeal," as it is capable across multiple disciplines from travel, studio, architecture, photojournalism, portraiture, and more.
Sigma has announced the 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art lens for E-Mount and L-Mount. The company says that the original 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM that was announced in 2012 -- the first of all the Art lenses that set the standard for the line -- has been redesigned from the ground up specifically for mirrorless cameras.
The Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN is a compacted take on the popular "desert island" 24-70mm f/2.8 lens that makes a slight concession in focal range at the wide end in order to make itself smaller, lighter, and cheaper: just $900.
For some time there has been repeated speculation that OM Digital was going to (or should) join the L-mount alliance, but in answering questions in its "Four Thirds Day" presentation with Panasonic reconfirmed that it has no plans to produce full-frame cameras.
Panasonic's Imaging Division director Yosuke Yamane has promised to "strengthen" the brand's commitment to both full-frame and Micro Four Thirds, while also noting that it is aware the contrast-based Depth From Defocus system still needs work.
On March 25, Sigma announced the 61-megapixel fp L camera that features a new autofocus system and much more resolution than the original fp. The company has provided a few images captured on the camera, and the quality looks impressive.
Sigma has announced the fp L, a 61-megapixel, L-mount, full-frame camera that the company claims is the "world's smallest and lightest single lens mirrorless camera." It shares the same dimensions as the original Sigma fp, but makes notable upgrades to resolution and performance that combine to make it far more appealing.
Sigma has announced the 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN zoom lens for Sony E-Mount and L-Mount. In contrast to what is commonly associated with Sigma lenses, the company says this new lens is the smallest and lightest full-frame f/2.8 standard zoom for mirrorless systems currently available.
Leica has announced its latest L-mount prime: a 28mm f/2. This lens follows the company's existing focal lengths of 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 90mm lenses already available for L-mount, and promises top-tier optical performance and fast, reliable autofocus.
Panasonic has announced the Lumix S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S. lens for L-mount. The company says it boasts both high performance throughout the zoom range as well as close focusing capabilities which combine into a well-rounded package.
Venus Optics has announced that four popular Laowa lenses are being released for L-mount. Two wide-angle lenses, the 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye and the 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D, and two macro lenses, the 24mm f/14 2X Macro Probe and the 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro, are available to order now.