Katuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma, pictured at this year`s Photokina trade show in Cologne Germany, last month.
We spoke to several senior executives last month in Germany at the Photokina trade show. Among them was Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki, who shared his thoughts on the photography marketplace in general, and the just-announced L-mount alliance. The following interview has been edited for clarity and flow.
How did the L-mount alliance come about?
I donīt remember exactly when but I think it was two or three years ago. At that time weīd already decided to make a full frame mirrorless camera featuring Foveon technology. We were planning to develop our own short flange back mirrorless system. Actually we already had a design. I donīt remember the exact spec but I think the flange back was about the same [as the L mount], about 20mm, and a similar mount diameter.
And around that time, Panasonic approached us and proposed that we work on it jointly. At around that same time, Panasonic approached Leica, and finally the three companies came together - I think it was about two years ago. And then we agreed to join the L mount system and we discontinued the development of our own original mount system.
Panasonic`s forthcoming Lumix S1R will be a professional-grade full-frame mirrorless camera built around the L-mount. One of the biggest announcements at this year`s Photokina was the alliance between Leica, Sigma and Panasonic - the first fruits of which are expected in spring of next year.
Was there anything about the L mount from a technical point of view that made it particularly attractive?
I would say itīs a well-balanced mount. The flange back is short enough without being too short, and the diameter isnīt too big. Itīs a good balance. If the diameter is too big, sometimes itīs difficult to make the camera bodies compact. And if we make a slow lens, like an F2.8 prime or an F3.4-5.6 zoom lens, with a wide diameter mount the sh ...
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