What is the History of The “L”mount alliance.

[Spencer Gorman]

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I understand that Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma all make L mount lenses and all make cameras that use “L” mount lenses. 

What I am uncertain about is just how universal the L mount lenses are and how these lenses cross perform using the different cameras.
I would think lenses are developed to perform the best on the cameras they are designed for.  At least this has generally been the case for SLR film cameras  and why systems were developed to sell lenses. I.e. Leica M and R mount, Canon FD, Nikon F mount. 
  I don’t quite understand this “alliance”. I know Panasonic and Leica worked on projects together  but I do not understand the Sigma connection although Sigma is known for new ideas in lens technology.  My interest is in the history of the L mount and how this “alliance” came about. With mirrorless cameras and the ability to use nearly any lens with an adaptor as long as your shooting using the lens manually. As well as so many converting old SLR lenses for cinema to avoid the  considerable expense of the high grade  lenses made for digital cameras. I don’t understand  this “alliance” which I assume is a business alliance. Business alliances are formed to make profit that benefits all members of the alliance. Assuming this is true it would seem that in order to sell more product the “L” mount lens alliance would seemingly be formed to use all “L” mount lenses across all the cameras made by each member of the alliance. 

[Babylonia]

vor 1 Stunde schrieb Spencer Gorman:

My interest is in the history of the L mount and how this “alliance” came about.....

....I don’t understand  this “alliance” which I assume is a business alliance. Business alliances are formed to make profit that benefits all members of the alliance. Assuming this is true it would seem that in order to sell more product the “L” mount lens alliance would seemingly be formed to use all “L” mount lenses across all the cameras made by each member of the alliance. 

Much of the history of the L mount alliance can be found already by reading the information that each brand itself is giving,
Or can be found by Google.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L-Mount_Alliance

https://l-mount.com/
https://l-mount.com/en/q-and-a

https://help.na.panasonic.com/answers/features-and-specifications-all-about-l-mount-alliance/

https://leica-camera.com/en-int/Company/Press-Centre/Press-Releases/2018-not-urgent-translatable/Press-Release-The-L-Mount-Alliance-a-strategic-cooperation-between-Leica-Camera%2C-Panasonic-and-Sigma

Sigma itself is not giving that much information.
https://www.sigma-global.com/en/history/

In a nutshell.
- Leica stands for their classical approach and their distinguished quality in "photography".
   The best lenses you can get "optically", (but bulky and expensive).

- Panasonic to help Leica by their digital and electronical system development.
  Panasonic itself much of it is focused to "video". (Specially the latest camera models)
  And their video history already before L-mount.
  Many L-mount lenses have about the same weight and size to optimised balance for "video", when used with a gimbal.

- Sigma specially devoted to high quality lenses in general, and affordable prices.

Because it's generally a difficult market for a camera or lens manufacturer to survive. (Especially for Leica itself).
Various Panasonic lens designs are also used for Leica.
Leica uses more lightweight metal components, compared to the lenses Panasonic produces by more high quality "plastic" parts.
And Leica do charge a considerable "Leica" premium for that difference.

Sigma also produces several "Leica" branded lenses.

Keep in mind that many modern camera and lens manufacturers collaborate with each other.
They have been acquired or form a holding company of "older" known brands and factories.
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Edited 41 minutes ago by Babylonia