There’s a lot going on in the L-Mount world. Stalwart L-Mount Alliance members such as Sigma and Panasonic continue to introduce new, intriguing lens options. In addition, new faces among the third-party manufacturers are producing surprisingly low-cost L-Mount lenses. Growth in new L-Mount cameras is less rapid, but photographers are taking a fresh look at existing options. Let’s dive in and have a look at the latest developments in L-Mount gear.
Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art: “One HECKUVA lens — if It’s what you need”
As we know, there is no one lens for every occasion. But as contenders go, this zoom has a lot going for it. Many mirrorless camera owners have a 24-70mm zoom lens in their collection. I certainly do. This focal length range covers a multitude of photographic opportunities, making it ideal for walk-around events.
This new Sigma Art series lens appears to be aiming at just this opportunity space. With a 28-105mm focal length, it sacrifices a little at the wide end, but offers a tempting increase in telephoto range. And, it operates at a maximum aperture of f/2.8 across the entire range.
It’s receiving very positive reviews in terms of build quality and optical performance. However, It’s size and weight are not for everyone. Personally, I prefer my slightly lighter Leica Vario-Elmarit 24-70mm f/2.8. I value that additional wide angle for architectural and landscape shots, And, I can crop with confidence (when using my SL2) to achieve at least an equivalent 140mm focal length for telephoto. It is also superbly built. Yet another well-regarded alternative is the Lumix Pro S 24-105mm Macro. Although slower, at a constant f/4, it is lighter and offers the same wider-angle opening gambit as the Vario-Elmarit.
Nevertheless, here are two video reviews of this latest piece of L-Mount gear: the Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 zoom lens.
Panasonic Lumix 18-40mm f/4.5-6.3
We recently covered the announcement of this diminutive zoom lens. Now, we have some reviews to share. Many expected this lens to accompany the launch of the Panasonic Lumix S9 back in the summer. It is small, light, and covers a useful focal-length range for street photography and videography.
The lens is slow, with a variable maximum aperture of f/4.5-to-f/6.3. So, not so good for low-light antics, but perfectly workable for sunlit environments or zone-focusing at f/8 and above. It is very much in line with the design philosophy of sacrificing-speed-for-weight, which we have discussed in previous articles.
The lens is available now for $499 (£519). Here are three different perspectives on the lens from around the world. Chris Niccolls (Canada) puts the lens through its paces, primarily from a photographer’s standpoint. In his video, Josh Cameron (UK) gives an overview of recent firmware updates to the S9 (a camera he loves) and then goes on to review the Lumix 18-40mm lens.
Finally, Julia Trotti (Australia) provides a fascinating review of the Lumix S9 plus 18-40mm as a vlogging tool. I do not engage in vlogging, and I suspect that goes for most Macfilos readers. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed Julia’s video, learning what makes for a great vlogging setup.
Medium Format vs. Full Frame: Is it worth the upgrade?
As we have covered extensively, different sensor formats come with tricky pros and cons. Most often, we consider the differences between systems equipped with either full-frame or APS-C sensors. Sometimes, cameras sporting four-thirds sensors even get a look-in. But, it’s rare that we are weighing up the merits of medium format cameras.
So, to put that right, here is a video comparing photography using a medium format Fujifilm camera versus a Panasonic Lumix L-Mount camera. It’s rather long, and a bit tedious in parts, but it’s one of the few reviews we have seen on the topic. My conclusion? In terms of weight, cost, and availability of lens options, L-Mount full-frame is the way to go.
Can you believe the price of this 50mm f/1.8 for L-Mount?
The final topics in this line up of L-Mount gear are at the cheap and cheerful end of the L-Mount world. Firstly, a new 50mm f/1.8 lens from a Hong Kong-based company called Meike. This is available for the extraordinarily low price of $219. How well could a lens at that price perform?
The video below compares this Chinese-manufactured lens to the Panasonic Lumix S 50 mm f/1.8. We know from first-hand experience that the Lumix lens ($348) is an outstanding performer (and “not dissimilar” to Leica’s own 50mm f/2 Summicron in architecture). Well, according to Josh Cameron, the Meike model gives it a run for its money. Whatever you think of Chinese-manufactured gear, these sorts of low-cost options can surely only be good for the L-Mount ecosystem.
Best full frame camera for under $700
In a similar vein, Josh waxes lyrical about the Panasonic Lumix S5 (rather than the later S5II) camera, which can now be bought, used, for less than $700. As an owner of the camera, I can only agree that it is a superb piece of kit. As an entry-point to the L-Mount world, it’s an excellent option, even four years after its introduction.
The subsequent iterations, particularly the S5II with its hybrid AF and improved sensor, are even better, but the original model still has many fans, including me.
L-Mount News Update
We hope you have found this brief collection of L-Mount related articles of interest. We will post future updates on this topic as significant new developments occur. Keep a lookout for related articles covering the latest news from other photography domains covered at Macfilos.
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I would have to agree with you about the Leica 24-70mm f2.8, I bought it as part of a kit with the SL2-S fully intending to sell it, considering it just a rebadged Sigma.
I could not believe my first photographs, sharp into the corners from wide open and a lovely look to the photos. It’s a keeper and now my 24-105 panny is welded onto my second CL which is a great combination with my other CL with the 11-23mm.
“considering it just a rebadged Sigma”… Hi Mark, if you don’t mind me asking what makes you think the Leica 24-70 is more than a rebadged Sigma? Have you tried the Sigma and compared them? The Sigma gets excellent reviews and in the meanwhile Sigma has already released a second version of the lens with supposedly improved optical performance, weighing 100g less and costing less than half of the Leica. I personally see very little value proposition in the rebadged Sigma (and Panasonic) lenses which for all clarity obviously does not mean that they are bad.
I tend to agree with you, SlowDriver. The updated Sigma 24-70 must be a better bet than the Leica, even without the price difference. The Panasonic f/1.8s are a fraction of prices and, as far as I can tell, produce similar results. They aren’t as solid or as well made, but you can buy three or four of them for the Leica price.
The Panasonic 50mm is $347.99 in the US and the corresponding Leica $2,195. That is more than 6 times the price. I can see why Leica does this, huge margins, but is it a good strategy long term? I have my doubts. Even taking different coatings, slightly better corner-to-corner performance and more robust build quantity into account I personally find it very hard to justify.
I was not clear enough. Originally I had thought to sell the Leica kit lens and buy the Sigma mkii, pocketing the difference.
I feel I got a very good copy of the lens in my hand and decided to keep it.
I have Sigma dg dn 17mm, 2x24mm in L and FE mounts and 20mm f1.4 so I am actually a big fan. I also have Panny 14-28mm, 20-60mm and 24-105mm so I am brand agnostic.
The 24-70mm Leica lens is my very first and only Leica L-mount lens and I only bought it because I got a screaming deal on the SL2-S and 24-70 for AU$5200, I would never have bought it at full price, it was the camera I was really after.
I keep the Panny 24-105mm for my CL because it only uses the centre and has IOS which I need these days at that focal length these days as the CL has no IBIS.
If you’re looking for long, tedious videos comparing full frame to medium format, mathphotographer has a two-part series comparing the Leica SL3 to the Hasselblad X2D 100C beginning here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w8hv7tbEWs&t=76s
Lensbaby solved the quality issue – produce really soft lenses and claim that as a feature.
When investigating L-mount lenses yesterday, 14 different brands were discovered – in addition to the official L-mount Alliance Partnership manufacturers / brands. Yet to discover how many actual lens types are offered by the 14 and if all are available in the UK. Personally, i would not be interested in an L-mount lens which does not perform reasonably and consistently well at its full aperture – even if it appears to be a bargain price. And bear in mind the 14 ‘brands’ likely offer their wares in other mounts. Also wondering if the actual manufacture is contracted out to just a few factories rather than being assembled ‘in house’ – as happens with Far East astro telescope and binocular manufacture. Budget priced Far East produced optics can suffer from QA issues – thus prudent to seek out several reviews and compare results. Stringent QA can be expensive.