Sigma is rumored to announce a new stunning 200mm f/1.8 Full Frame L-mount lens!

One of my sources believes that Sigma might announce a new Sigma 200mm f/1.8 Full Frame lens for Sony E and Leica L cameras! This would be the first time we get a modern version of the almost 40 year old Canon 200mm f/1.8 EF lens that became famous under the name ‘Eye of Sauron’.
The lens appears to be part of the ‘Sports’ series, and I have no further details yet on specs, release date or pricing. What I do know is that Sigma patented the optical design of the same lens five years ago (read the article here). This lens would be 24cm long, just like the current Sigma 500mm f/5.6. But the patent is quite old and it could be that the new 200mm lens is shorter and more compact, thanks to recent technical improvements Sigma has made to lenses like the 50mm f/1.4 and the soon-to-be-released 300-600mm f/4.0.
I still need more sources to confirm or deny this rumor before I can bring it to 99% certainty. So if you know more about this lens, feel free to use this anonymous contact form or contact me via eMail, Signal, Telegram.

Why do I think this lens would be an EPIC addition?
I will give you three reasons:

  1. Stunning Bokeh Let’s compare a portrait taken with a 200mm f/1.8 and a 200mm f/2.8 lens (such as the Sigma 70-200). At the widest aperture, the 200mm f/1.8 would achieve a depth of field of 6cm at a subject distance of 5m. With the Sigma zoom, you would achieve a depth of field of 10 cm. The shallower the depth of field, the more pronounced the bokeh.
  2. Great for landscapes On my alpine tours,I do use often the 200mm focal length of my Tamron 28-200mm. But the Tamron has f/5.6, while the Sigma is more than three f-stops faster! This results in visibly cleaner images.
  3. Made for sports and wildlife photographers Sports photographers would enjoy an advantage of more than 1 f-stop, especially when shooting indoors. Wildlife photographers (although limited by the shorter telephoto focal length) would get cleaner images and more flexibility in low light conditions.

My speculation is that this lens might be price around $2,500 which would be $3500 less than the only similar lens you can buy at BHphoto today.

Wrap up: Like I said, I still need full confirmation on this rumor. But I really hope that this rumor about the Sigma 200mm f/1.8 lens will come true. It would give us a new, unique lens that we don’t yet have in our line-up. There is an exciting time ahead with many new rumors!!!

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Hot: Panasonic will announce a new Lumix L-mount cine compact camera in April ?

According to my trusted sources, Panasonic will announce a new L-mount full-frame camera with ‘video focus’ in April. And it sounds very likely that it will NOT be an S1H successor , but something else. The trusted sources have NOT yet shared any specs, camera names or other information. Ao now I’ll share information I’ve received from other new sources I’m working with. I’m still not sure, but I hope that after this article is published, trusted sources can confirm or deny the information I’m sharing now.

The new sources claim that it could be a Sony FX3 competitor, a very compact L-mount camera without an EVF with a fast 24MP stacked sensor. One of the sources claims he has heard that it could use the partially stacked sensor of this Nikon camera. However, I doubt this is true as I believe this sensor is used exclusively by Nikon as they developed it (and Sony manufactured it).

So to sum this up:

90% reliable info from trusted sources:

  • New Lumix FF video oriented camera is coming in April
  • It’s not a direct S1H successor

Rumors from new sources (unclear how reliable this can be):

What about the S1HII?

I have no idea if Panasonic still plans to announce a proper S1H successor. Basically, it should be an S1rII body with lower resolution, stacked sensor or better image quality and less rolling shutter issues, for example. All I know is that Panasonic has registered three new camera codes in Asia. So there are still many new cameras to be announced between April and probably late summer. One of them could be a compact camera with a fixed lens, which has been directly ‘teased’ by Panasonic managers in an interview.

Anyway, now is the time to comment on this post and let Panasonic know if you like the idea of a new compact cine camera… or if you still think a larger body with EVF, an S1HII, is needed!

How to share rumors:

If you happen to know more about Panasonic next camera contact through this contact box, Signal, Telegram, or contact me via lrumorscameras@gmail.com. Thanks!

Sigma CEO Yamaki interview: Bigger L-mount camera is on his mind, Foveon sensors sill in very early development stage

The full interview can be followed from minute 20 to 55 but the key points about the future are:

  • He has in his mind to make a proper larger L-mount camera
  • Foveon is still far out 🙁

I am one of the few out there that really do like the BF design, but this is a camera for a niche of people. A proper big L-mount camera would be really nice to get. Also because right now we can only count on Panasonic cameras (Leica cameras are for the few rich of us).

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Sigma lens preorders:
300-600mm lens at BHphoto. Amazon. Adorama. FotoErhardt. Fotokoch. WexUK.
16-300mm at BHphoto. Amazon. Adorama. FotoErhardt. Fotokoch. WexUK.

Panasonic did register another camera overseas: Now a total of three cameras should be announced soon!

On 28 February, Panasonic registered another new camera in China. We have now registered a total of three cameras in Asia that have not yet been announced. The next camera will be announced in April, and it’s a ‘niche’ L-mount camera that is NOT the S1HII. I don’t know yet what the other two cameras might be. Yesterday Panasonic said they are working on new fixed lens cameras, maybe one of them is some kind of LX100II successor. What would you like to see?

Note: The table above shows four camera codes for ‘unknown’ cameras. One of the codes is certainly for the Lumix S1rII, leaving three cameras that have yet to be announced.

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Lumix S1rII preorder links:
In USA at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama.
In Europe at Fotoerhardt, Fotokoch, Calumet, WexUK. Clifton. ParkUK.
Lumix S1rII battery grip links:
BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotoerhardt, Fotokoch, Calumet, WexUK.

CP+2025 Panasonic executive interview: Expect new fixed lens cameras and more L-mount telephoto lenses!

Fengniao had a chat with a bunch of Panasonic managers and there are couple of interesting notes:

  1. They confirmed they are developing new fixed lens cameras. I hope they this means there will be a successor for this model!
  2. They acknowledged the need for more telephoto lenses
  3. S1HII successor is in development

The google translated text:

Fixed lens cameras:
In terms of market demand insight, Panasonic is keenly aware of the trend of recovering demand in the fixed lens camera market. Based on this change in the market, Panasonic is looking forward to the fixed lens camera market and is actively planning the introduction of new products. Although it is not yet possible to determine the specific time of the release of new products, it can be seen that Panasonic has launched an in-depth thinking and layout in this area.

New Telephoto L-mount lenses needed:
For example, in terms of the lens group, compared with other competitors, Panasonic has certain shortcomings, and the lack of telephoto lenses is particularly obvious. Currently its longest focal length is only 300mm, and the lens level is not high-end. In order to make up for this deficiency, Panasonic has taken a series of positive measures. On the one hand, to strengthen the internal lens R & D mechanism, increase R & D investment, accelerate the development of new lenses; on the other hand, with the advantage of the L-mount alliance, and the alliance members to carry out in-depth co-operation in lens research and development. In this way, not only can we enhance the compatibility and affinity of Panasonic lenses, but also provide users with more lens options. In the future lens research and development planning, Panasonic will take the L-mount alliance as the basis, give full play to its own advantages, and develop lens products that are more distinctive and meet the needs of users.

S1H successor:
Panasonic is also actively exploring the planning of the follow-up products of LUMIX S1H. LUMIX S1H, as a camera positioned for film creation, has a unique position in the market. With the continuous development and changes in the field of film micro camera, Panasonic has received a large number of opinions and suggestions from all sides. In terms of product form, there are different expectations from users and the market. Some want the product to be similar to the FX3, cutting out the warship section and focusing on cinema and video functions; some prefer to keep the micro-single form while strengthening the video function; and others expect to make it a square camera similar to the FX6. In terms of functional requirements, features such as 8K 60p or even 8K 120p video shooting and built-in ND filters have become the focus of users’ attention. In order to better meet market demands, Panasonic merged with its professional-grade system imaging division in 2024, integrating the technical resources of both parties and engaging in deeper and closer discussions with technicians. Although the launch date of the next generation of the LUMIX S1H has not yet been determined, it can be seen that Panasonic is putting its best foot forward in the development of this product, and is striving to bring users an even better tool for film creation.

Younger generation shows interest in cameras:
Nowadays, an interesting phenomenon has emerged globally: more and more young people are starting to use card machines for shooting. This group’s interest in camera shooting has shown a significant increase. Unlike the pursuit of extreme high image quality, many young people are keen on the retro atmosphere created by CCD cameras. Such retro-style photos, with their unique colors and textures, evoke a sense of the past.
This phenomenon has also brought new thoughts and opportunities to camera manufacturers, prompting them to pay more attention to the needs of young users in product design and function development.

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Lumix S1rII: BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama. Fotoerhardt, Fotokoch, Calumet, WexUK. Clifton. ParkUK.

 

Sigma says a new 35mm f/1.2 II L lens is coming in 2025 and it will be smaller and better!

Sigma CEO Yamaki had a talk at the CP+ show. And there he teased the launch of a new updated version of the current 35mm f/1.2 L lens. The new version will be:

  • Released soon
  • Be way more compact (similar design to the Sigma 50mm f/1.2)
  • Be lighter
  • Be optically superior despite the smaller size
  • Made for Sony E and Leica L mount cameras

Sigma CEO Yamaki also said there will be many ART lenses released this year!

L-mount alliance seeks new partners and many companies have expressed interest in joining!

There was an official L-mount alliance press conference at the CP+ show (see video below). Two news are important:

  1. L-Mount aims to expand its ecosystem by welcoming more participants, ensuring a diverse and innovative product lineup in the system camera market
  2. Many companies have expressed interest in joining the alliance

For me, point one is crucial. We only have Panasonic making “mainstream” and also “affordable” cameras. Leica cameras are too expensive for most and Sigma is going niche with the BF. I would be happy if DJI and other cameras would also produce L-mount system cameras!