Exciting news! The L Mount Alliance has welcomed two new members, Samyang and Astrodesign. While Astrodesign may be less familiar among photography enthusiasts, Samyang is a well-known brand that has gained significant respect in recent years.
Leica Camera AG shared the announcement on Twitter, stating, “Astrodesign and Samyang Optics have joined the L-Mount Alliance, bringing the total number of companies to seven. This collaboration will result in innovative products that benefit various photo and video applications.”
Astrodesign may require some introduction as it is not as widely recognized. Established in 1977, the company specializes in real-time high-speed digital signal processing technology.
They have claimed multiple “world’s first” or “first in Japan” products, including several 8K cameras.
On the other hand, Samyang is a more familiar name among photography enthusiasts. Since 2009, they have been manufacturing lenses for consumer cameras, but their history dates back to 1972.
Initially, the Korean-based company, much like Laowa, AstrHori, TTartisan, focused on producing affordable, fully manual lenses. However, they have made impressive advances and now offer highly esteemed lenses with full electronic connectivity and even autofocus capabilities.
Previously, Samyang primarily developed lenses for Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-Mount, and Canon EF DSLR mounts. By joining the L Mount Alliance, photographers can expect these outstanding lenses to also become available for Sigma, Leica, and Panasonic full-frame cameras.
The L Mount Alliance was initially formed in 2018 and included Leica, Sigma, and Panasonic.
It later expanded with the addition of Leitz Cine, and last year, DJI joined the group. Although any company can apply to become a member of the Alliance, not all requests will be accepted.
As stated on the official L Mount Alliance website, “The L-Mount Alliance is not completely open; it was established through licensing agreements with Leica Camera AG, Panasonic, and Sigma. However, additional partners may be considered under certain conditions.”
The website now proudly showcases seven logos, reflecting the growth experienced by the group over the past five years.