Sermon on the mount

Idon’t recall ever thinking about lens mounts and certainly never chose a camera system based on its mount. But the L-mount and its alliance of three major players has put the choice of lens mount front and centre, as it becomes a hugely unifying feature, bringing together a lot of very creative and top-notch design and engineering.

We’re now at a time when full-frame digital cameras are available from Canon, Leica, Nikon, Panasonic, Pentax, Sigma and Sony. Not to mention quality Micro Four Thirds, APS-C and medium format options. We have huge diversity and choice.

Within these names though lays an alliance that brings tremendous versatility. In late 2018, Leica, Panasonic Lumix and Sigma announced the L-Mount Alliance. A unified lens mount, to be shared by three very different camera companies. Each company has its own philosophies, technologies, features and characteristics, at varying price points, within their cameras and lenses. The wide variety of lenses starts at one end with eye-watering prices and jaw-dropping results, to more pocket-friendly sums with extremely capable results. The beauty of the L-Mount Alliance is that you can chop and change, and hand-pick what you need, to make arguably the most versatile camera system available. Ever.

Unlike other mirrorless cameras where you will perhaps lose AF, have slow AF, lose mechanical aperture ring use or have field of view magnifications or vignetting when using non-manufacturer’s lenses, any of the L-mount lenses