SIRUI joins the L-Mount Alliance

Lens manufacturer SIRUI has become the ninth company to join the steadily growing L-Mount Alliance.

The L-Mount Alliance was set up in 2018 at photokina and originally consisted of three members; Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma. It's expanded significantly since then, and while it has failed to yet snag one of the other big camera manufacturers, who are busy making their own proprietary systems, momentum is definitely growing.

SIRUI is now the 9th company to join the L-Mount Alliance, with Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH, DJI, ASTRODESIGN, SAMYANG, and Blackmagic Design also part of the growing crew. 

The L-Mount definitely has some advantages. The diameter of 51.6 mm was chosen to make it not only suitable for use on full-frame cameras, but also on cameras with APSC sensors. The short register of only 20 mm enables a short distance between the lens and the sensor, which in turn allows for a considerably more compact construction (helpful for developments in the wide-angle lens segment). The camera bayonets are manufactured from wear-resistant stainless steel, with four flange segments that prevent canting and ensure a secure and precisely positioned lens attachment. And a standardised L-Mount contact strip facilitates trouble-free communication between the electronic components of the lens and the camera – including the possibility of installing future firmware updates for lenses to react to technological advances and exploit the full performance potentials of the lenses.

Perhaps more important than all of that from an end user perspective is that there is now that bit more choice. First out of the gate from SIRUI will be the new Aurora 85mm f1.4 L-mount lens (above), which will be on display on the company's booth at NAB. SIRUI is the sort of manufacturer that can swiftly expand the range too. "By leveraging its proprietary brand, independent technological innovations, vertically integrated supply chain, and cost advantages, SIRUI is set to significantly enhance the L-Mount Alliance lens ecosystem," says Li Jie, Founder and CEO at SIRUI Optical. "Our aim is to introduce a broader range of outstanding, high-value L-mount lenses to the market.”

It might not be alone in that either. Persistent rumours suggest Viltrox could be one of the next companies to come on board, potentially dramatically increasing the number of options coming to market every year, especially at the budget-friendly end of the spectrum. 

tl;dr

• SIRUI has joined the L-Mount Alliance, becoming the ninth member alongside companies like Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma, who co-founded it in 2018.
• The L-Mount's 51.6 mm diameter is suitable for full-frame and APSC cameras, while its short 20 mm register enables compact lens construction, beneficial for wide-angle developments.
• The bayonets are made of wear-resistant stainless steel, ensuring secure lens attachment and allowing for firmware updates to enhance lens performance.
• SIRUI will debut the Aurora 85mm f1.4 L-mount lens and aims to expand the range of L-Mount lenses, with rumors of Viltrox potentially joining the alliance to increase affordable options in the market.