What is Lumix thinking?!

[newfoundmass]

I am not suggesting they do it because it'd kill M43 dead and it'd mean starting from scratch, but they could in theory release 4/3 sensor cameras and lenses that would cover them for L-Mount. Again, not suggesting it, but I also can't say that I wouldn't be intrigued. I miss the small M43 lenses, but it's a really hard sell to re-invest in M43 and have two different systems.

I too also always thought it was weird that they didn't have a M43 crop mode on their full frame lenses. Not that I would use it a ton, but there are times when I would (that extra reach would be wonderful) and there really isn't a reason NOT to include it.

[MrSMW]

Actually, that is not a bad idea, - having the M4/3 crop on the FF sensor and better still if M4/3 lenses could be mounted with an adapter.

The G9II and S5II already share the same chassis and OK, some bemoan the size over some of the previous smaller bodies, but actually with some of the bigger M4/3 lenses, they would pair up very well.

And if we started with something like a 61MP sensor, plenty of size to crop into for what would be what, something somewhere around 20MP I guess (based on knowing that APSC is 26MP).

I body, many lenses, so many different use cases...

[Marcio Kabke Pinheiro]

On 1/18/2025 at 3:51 PM, Marcio Kabke Pinheiro said:

And L mount needs cheap and SMALL lenses. In a word - bring Viltrox to L-Mount. Panasonic releasing a 26mm f/8 manual lens with the S9 for $199 and Viltrox releasing a 28mm f/4.5 SMALLER and WITH AF for $99 was one of the most shameless moments of the year.
 

I guess Viltrox is follwing this thread... (just kidding)

https://www.l-rumors.com/viltrox-is-officially-negotiating-with-leica-for-the-l-mount-licensing/
 

[Ninpo33]

9 hours ago, Marcio Kabke Pinheiro said:

I guess Viltrox is follwing this thread... (just kidding)

https://www.l-rumors.com/viltrox-is-officially-negotiating-with-leica-for-the-l-mount-licensing/
 

Looks like its happening soon...

 

https://petapixel.com/2025/01/21/viltrox-negotiating-to-join-growing-l-mount-alliance/

[MrSMW]

If it happens, I hope they release an entire set of lenses and not drip drip drip lenses because I personally don’t like mix & match sets of lenses if I can at all avoid it.

[John Matthews]

4 hours ago, MrSMW said:

If it happens, I hope they release an entire set of lenses and not drip drip drip lenses because I personally don’t like mix & match sets of lenses if I can at all avoid it.

It's great there are 3rd party lens manufacturers. I never get them though. I would probably only consider Sigma (if they're the right size).

[ntblowz]

I would get their 28mm f4.5 body cap lens for sure, perfect match to S9!

[newfoundmass]

13 hours ago, John Matthews said:

It's great there are 3rd party lens manufacturers. I never get them though. I would probably only consider Sigma (if they're the right size).

I'd love to get them, just there are always compromises made. For example I tried the Meike lenses and they just aren't well built. Optically they are very good for their price, but I have zero confidence that they will hold up to heavy use. The ones I got also focused in reverse and didn't work with my S5II X's linear focusing (I've heard this has been fixed for their "pro" lenses).

Ultimately I went with Lumix primes instead, which you are pretty affordable on sites like MPB. You can get the 50mm f1.8 for $229 in "Like New" condition; for that price you might as well just get it over the Meike 50mm F1.8 at $169 new. It's a better lens and it's better made.

Another issue I've had with third party lenses is that they aren't always consistent. A 35mm will have different color shifts and characteristics than the 50mm does and so on. I've even experienced where the same lens, bought together at the same time, had color shifts between them! It's why I really like what Panasonic has done, as every lens is not only the same size but they are pretty much identical optically. I can easily switch between them without adjusting anything. 

Still, if they put out a really nice fast prime that is well made and significantly cheaper than the Lumix or Sigma version, then I'd definitely be interested. I don't have a ton of uses for a 1.2 or 1.4 lens, I don't usually need that much light or bokeh, but it'd be nice to have one when I did want that look.

 

[John Matthews]

I guess there are more Lumix updates:

Actually, I'm quite happy about having some of those features. In particular, I'm very interest in trying out the mp4 Lite and hybrid zoom; the later is a feature is a unique selling point. Cool.

Quick question: would Sony, Canon, or Nikon have released this firmware or would they have released a new camera?

[John Matthews]

4 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

Ultimately I went with Lumix primes instead, which you are pretty affordable on sites like MPB. You can get the 50mm f1.8 for $229 in "Like New" condition; for that price you might as well just get it over the Meike 50mm F1.8 at $169 new. It's a better lens and it's better made.

Another issue I've had with third party lenses is that they aren't always consistent. A 35mm will have different color shifts and characteristics than the 50mm does and so on. I've even experienced where the same lens, bought together at the same time, had color shifts between them! It's why I really like what Panasonic has done, as every lens is not only the same size but they are pretty much identical optically. I can easily switch between them without adjusting anything. 

Yes. Those are clear issues. It's possible a 3rd party will hit it out of the park with one or two lenses, but when you take the whole lineup into consideration, there often seems to be a hole. For critical professional use, it can be a problem. However, some lenses don't need that kind of consistency to exist in a bag.

[Marcio Kabke Pinheiro]

23 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

I'd love to get them, just there are always compromises made. For example I tried the Meike lenses and they just aren't well built. Optically they are very good for their price, but I have zero confidence that they will hold up to heavy use. The ones I got also focused in reverse and didn't work with my S5II X's linear focusing (I've heard this has been fixed for their "pro" lenses).

Ultimately I went with Lumix primes instead, which you are pretty affordable on sites like MPB. You can get the 50mm f1.8 for $229 in "Like New" condition; for that price you might as well just get it over the Meike 50mm F1.8 at $169 new. It's a better lens and it's better made.

Another issue I've had with third party lenses is that they aren't always consistent. A 35mm will have different color shifts and characteristics than the 50mm does and so on. I've even experienced where the same lens, bought together at the same time, had color shifts between them! It's why I really like what Panasonic has done, as every lens is not only the same size but they are pretty much identical optically. I can easily switch between them without adjusting anything. 

Still, if they put out a really nice fast prime that is well made and significantly cheaper than the Lumix or Sigma version, then I'd definitely be interested. I don't have a ton of uses for a 1.2 or 1.4 lens, I don't usually need that much light or bokeh, but it'd be nice to have one when I did want that look.

 

I agree - but Viltrox is not for fully professional use (specially video ones). Is to bring more people to the system.

They made a huge jump in quality - their first AF lenses were ok for the price, but the newer "Air" ones are much better optically, and cheaper (because use high quality plastic and basicalyy the same outer shell for a bunch of focal lenghts). Perfect for the S9 and for amateur / enthusiast use of the S5IIs.

And the 27mm f/1.2 and the 75mm f/1.2 are superb (but APS-C). But their LAB line looks promising.