Sigma says they will make APS-C lenses for L mount but Panasonic says they will NOT

Dpreview interviewed all three companies involved in the L-mount project. And here are some interesting tidbits:

APS-C L-mount lenses:
Sigma: Yes, we have a plan to develop APS-C lenses for L mount, but the main focus is full-frame.
Panasonic: No. We will only develop [L mount products] for full-frame sensors.

Abut the L-mount flange distance:
Leica: The flange back distance could be shorter, but if someone wants to make a professional L mount video camera for example, it’s better to have a little more room, for filters [built into the camera body] and so on. With 20mm, that’s fine. If you go closer, it becomes very difficult.

About the analogy with Micro Four Thirds:
Panasonic: This alliance is like marriage. The previous arrangement [with Olympus] was more like we were just living together. So the obligation [now] is a little more high-level.

It’s very interesting to see Panasonic plan to NOT make any APS-C lenses.  I guess it makes sense to not jeopardize their MFT business. And It also sounds like Panasonic isn’t entirely happy with their partnership with Olympus.

LUMIX S – Opening a new chapter of LUMIX history

Panasonic introduced its first Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera the LUMIX G1 to revolutionize the entire camera market in 2008.Since then, the company has been developing epoch-making cameras and lenses with cutting-edge features in a small package to defy old stereotype. These LUMIX cameras and lenses are highly acclaimed as a tool for capturing the world through the eyes of professionals.As a pioneer of the industry, Panasonic is now ready to challenge the new field, a full-frame mirrorless camera system, to open a new chapter of LUMIX history.

The Panasonic S1-S1R grip variations

Panasonic posted this image with the following text:

Whatever the challenge, professionals get results. To capture that fleeting moment in often challenging locations,  you may have to bide your time with camera at the ready.

Countless modifications and repeated prototyping are needed  to finally arrive at the ideal shape with a reassuringly stable grip, a form refined enough to shoot for long periods and to carry, a design suitable for any location.

Soundimagesplus: “Will the L-mount Rule?”

Soundimagesplus shared his interesting thoughts about the L-mount. I am only sharing the final conclusion here:

It’s impossible to know whether Panasonic can penetrate the Canon / Nikon professional market. They will certainly have to prove themselves to working photographers, whose concerns are about reliability and the overall robustness of the system. I’m certainly thinking that we may well be talking about 5 years down the line. However if Panasonic can get a working 8K hybrid camera out for the Tokyo Olympics, then that may speed things up. Lets not forget that 8K provides for 36MP stills, via video ‘grabs’, which may mean that when that emerges we will all be shooting on video and sorting out the stills later.
The said S1R does seem to be what I hoped. A ‘Full Frame’ G9. So will the L Mount rule? Well for me the answer is yes it will and I suspect that if Panasonic get it right, it will for lot’s of other people too.

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You can join the new L Full Frame Facebook group if you plan to buy this camera. There you can discuss all features and tests once it’s released!

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