Teaneck, NJ—Blackmagic Design is the eighth company to join the L-Mount Alliance since the announcement of the L-mount standard at photokina 2018. The alliance now consists of founding members Leica Camera AG, Sigma and Panasonic, as well as Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH, DJI, Astrodesign and Samyang Optics.
Furthermore, the goal of the alliance is to utilize the L-mount standard developed by Leica Camera AG for cameras and lenses in future product development. Consequently, this collaboration enables Blackmagic Design to develop products with the L mount that will present benefits for a wider range of photo and video applications.
“It is exciting to be invited to be an L-Mount Alliance partner. I cannot wait to see what Blackmagic Design customers will be able to create with all the amazing L-mount compatible lenses. Lenses that are extremely fast, perfect for full-frame cinematography and offer stunning image quality,” said Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design. “As a camera maker, I am also excited by the design possibilities of the L mount’s wide inner diameter and the shallow depth of field it gives us. Filmmakers who have been using these incredible lenses from Leica, Sigma, Panasonic and others, continue to impress me with their creativity.”
Blackmagic L-Mount Alliance Benefits
The members of the L-Mount Alliance all utilize the L mount developed by Leica Camera AG for mirrorless systems. Furthermore, alliance partners use the L mount for cameras and lenses that are offered under their own brand names. They market their respective products as competitors, each with their own product and marketing strategies. However, the members work together to advance the L-mount’s technology. 
Leica Camera developed the L mount to provide a future-proof, flexible, robust and precise bayonet mount that would fulfill even demanding photographic needs. Its initial appearance was in 2014 on the Leica T. Since then, Leica as well as its partners have continued the development of the L mount. As a result, this led to improvements and an effectively new, more polished L-Mount technology.
To ensure maximum product diversity, Leica choose a 51.6mm diameter to make the L mount suitable for use not only with full-frame cameras but also cameras with APS-C sensors. The short register of 20mm also enables a short distance between the lens and the sensor. This allows for a more compact lens construction, which is particularly helpful in the wide-angle lens segment.
In addition, for resistance to extreme conditions, and to guarantee reliability for years of intensive use, the companies manufacture the camera bayonets from wear-resistant stainless steel. They also feature four flange segments to prevent canting and ensure a securely positioned lens attachment. Moreover, the standardized L-mount contact strip facilitates trouble-free communication between the electronic components of the lens and the camera. This also includes the possibility of installing future firmware updates for lenses.
The L mount is available on 12 cameras and 60+ lenses across alliance partners. All the lenses made for the different systems within the alliance are compatible with all cameras without adapters and functional limitations.
