Viltrox is becoming a member of Leica, SIGMA, Panasonic, Black Magic Design, Samyang, DJI, and others within the ever-growing L-Mount alliance. The Chinese language producer, a comparatively new participant in our discipline, would be the newest addition to the mount in a transfer that ought to profit each the corporate and L-Mount customers, who may have extra choices to select from. With cameras from Panasonic, Leica, SIGMA, and DJI, each lens is a welcome addition, and Viltrox is already liable for some distinctive choices throughout the cine-hybrid market.
Viltrox is all over, and that’s not a foul factor. The corporate affords an unlimited vary of cine-related merchandise, starting from batteries to lights, from adapters to displays, and from low-end, inexpensive still-hybrid lenses to cine glass and even some loopy cine-zooms. This intensive, although comparatively younger, experience will now improve one of many latest mirrorless mounts.
What ought to L-Mount customers anticipate from Viltrox?
As per the preliminary press launch, not a lot has been assured. That is, after all, no shock, as most press releases don’t include a roadmap or particular timeline. It could be truthful to anticipate Viltrox to create L-Mount variations for his or her AF lenses (presently accessible for FUJIFILM X, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and Sony E mounts), and possibly function improved L-Mount adapters. Even the Air Collection, made for Tremendous 35 / APS-C cameras, can match the invoice, as we’ve seen a number of APS-C lenses made for the primarily full-frame L-Mount. Viltrox’s Cine line consists of PL Mount lenses for the Viltrox EPIC sequence, which may most likely be used with a easy adapter. There are additionally some “dumb” E-Mount lenses with no digital connections that will simply be refitted with an L-Mount bayonet. Nevertheless, these are not more than assessments and finest guesses. Sadly, issues don’t at all times go that means.
Viltrox EPIC 50mm T2 1.33x Anamorphic Lens on a Panasonic LUMIX S5 II. Picture credit score: CineD
The Samyang failed promise
About two years in the past, Samyang joined the L-Mount. Being a comparatively new and fairly aggressive participant on the optical entrance, many believed the South Korean firm would quickly launch an L-Mount model for his or her huge lens lineup, centered across the Sony E-Mount at that time. My colleague Jakub Han wrote: “I consider that particularly the inclusion of Samyang will attraction to many, as it can provide inexpensive lens choices for L-Mount digital camera customers.” Jakub set his sights on the then-new 35-150mm f/2.0-2.8 zoom – and he’s spot-on with this lens. Samyang did make an L-Mount model for it… and that’s about it. No different AF lenses had been remade for L-Mount, and even new lenses had been solely made for the E-Mount.
A missed alternative. Think about these lenses in your LUMIX or Black Magic L-Mount cameras.
As much as Viltrox
Viltrox has constantly confirmed itself to be a worthy, modern, and proactive producer. Whereas we don’t but know the way its addition will have an effect on the L-Mount, we are able to nonetheless hope. Even in the event you are typically cautious, the L-Mount stands robust by itself, with a large ecosystem, so this shouldn’t be the deciding consider whether or not you purchase into it or not. As a normal rule of thumb, I at all times assess methods based mostly on what they presently have, not for what they could or might not have sooner or later.
Do you suppose Viltrox will change the L-Mount, making it even higher than it’s? In what methods? Tell us within the feedback.
