What is Lumix thinking?!

[IronFilm]

8 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

I think forming the L-Mount alliance might've been primarily because of the pre-existing relationship they had with Leica and the convenience, as they'd already worked with the mount due to the existing relationship. I think they could've created their own mount and still worked with virtually all of the same companies. It's not like the user base of Leica users that already had L-mount lenses was that huge or that those folks would be all that interested in Lumix cameras because they were Leica users already for a reason. And it's not like those who bought Lumix L-mount cameras ended up buying a ton of Leica glass. But why potentially piss off Leica?

Yes, choosing L Mount meant it kept rock and solid and secure their position as OEM manufacturer for Leica. 

But it's also about the impression / vibes that the L Mount gives to consumers. That there is the broad support for it, not just one company going at it alone.

EOS-M for instance I always thought it was going to be a dead end mount, that's is a dead man walking, which Canon would eventualy kill. Because nobody else was making EOS-M mount cameras, and because obviously Canon would bring out a new mount for FF mirrorless, which thus means they must kill the other mount. 

While L Mount Alliance had a multi company backing of Leica / Panasonic / Sigma right from early on (and now others have joined too, such as BMD and DJI are making L Mount cameras). 

It gives you confidence that L Mount is in it for the long haul! Not merely at the whims of just one company. 

(yes it's always possible that L Mount disappears, as nothing but deaths and taxes is certain)

8 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

The more I think about it the more I do think Lumix should consider releasing a smaller sensor L-mount camera and some smaller lenses. Testing the waters with the potential of unifying all their cameras under the same lens mount seems like the best bet. I know it risks hurting the M43 line but unifying all their offerings under a single lens mount seems like the best move long term, especially considering all of their current M43 lenses are getting a little long in the tooth and could use an update.

If Panasonic brings out an APS-C camera with an L Mount (that isn't specifically a S35 "EVA2" or the next Varicam, which is very unlikely currently) then that's the 10ft high writing on the wall for me to sell all of my MFT equipment before their value totally tanks. 

Olympus has sold off their cameras to OM, Blackmagic seems to be losing interest in MFT for their future releases, ZCam's one MFT camera is very niche, DJI seems to be stepping away from MFT as well, JVC will likely never make another MFT camera, etc.... so if Panasonic kills their MFT cameras (as surely an APS-C L Mount is a sign of this future) then MFT rapidly loses their reasons to stick with it. 

  

8 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

I'd have to go back and look at old footage, but I don't think I ever encountered vignetting when using Lumix lenses on my old LS300. 

Exactly! 

Panasonic and Olympus could have embraced an approach kinda like Fujifilm does.

Have put more S35/APS-C sensors into future MFT camera, and owned this niche instead of Fujifilm. Then ignored / skipped over the FF camera bracket, and gone straight for making Medium Format cameras as the next step up. 

[John Matthews]

On 2/4/2025 at 2:51 AM, IronFilm said:

If Panasonic brings out an APS-C camera with an L Mount (that isn't specifically a S35 "EVA2" or the next Varicam, which is very unlikely currently) then that's the 10ft high writing on the wall for me to sell all of my MFT equipment before their value totally tanks. 

I doubt their coming out with anything APS-C, but from I've seen with the original Four Thirds mount, it doesn't follow that prices will tank. Sure, you can pick up a Olympus E-420 with 2 kit zooms for about 100 euros, but that camera is 15 years old on a dead mount. Also, brand new, it would cold less than 500 euros- not bad considering 15 years of use. Even Samsung's mount didn't have prices tank, they will go down eventually though until the collectors want them. Cameras are never investments unless they're collectable and if you find a deal. Actually, I'm surprised there isn't more interest in vintage lenses as they're old and limited in quantity.

[MrSMW]

They are not going to make an APSC because they would piss their FF market off big time when we are literally screaming for successors to the S line.

It’s not just the bodies but an entire lens line is required.

”Just use the existing FF lenses?”

In that case, your FF camera is also APSC. It’s called cropping.

And M4/3 users would flip out also and feel they were being neglected.

I doubt very much the market is there anyway and they are hardly the biggest player who can take a punt.

Nah, can’t see it. At all.