DZOFILM PAVO 2x Anamorphic Lenses Announced – Macro 65mm, 135mm, and 180mm

Lens News

by Omri Keren LapidotApril 12^th, 2024

DZOFILM announces three new PAVO 2x anamorphic lenses: Macro 65mm T/2.8, 135mm T/2.4, and 180mm T/2.8. This trio joins the six existing PAVO lines, adding macro and farther telereach to this Super35 2x anamorphic line. While a tad slower than their PAVO stablemates these three new lenses offer either longer reach or special abilities while maintaining similar physical traits. Focus and aperture ring placement are identical and the filter diameter (86mm thread). The new trio ups the weight, with all three lenses weighing around 2kg.

Launched last year, at NAB 2023, The DZOFILM PAVO line consists of 28mm, 32mm, 40mm, 55mm, 75mm T2.1, and 100mm T2.4 focal lengths for PL or EF lens mounts, covering Super35 sensors. All lenses feature either blue or neutral coating options. Each lens is priced at $5,499/€5,107 and sets of three and six lenses are also available. The new 135mm T2.5 and 180mm T2.8 will follow the same pricing scheme while the Macro 65mm T2.8 is priced higher, at $6,879/€6,389. 

Build and ergonomics

As with existing DZOFILM PAVO 2x anamorphic lenses, the new trio includes geared control rings for focus and aperture. The rings are identical to the rest of the series, as with most cine lens lines. Imperial and Metric markings are present across the 300° focus range. The new 65, 135, and 180mm lenses share the same design philosophy, with the nice-looking, silver-metal front part.

The lenses are made of aluminum alloy on the non-shiny parts as well. They are, however, a tad longer, at 160mm (compared with 105-140mm of the existing PAVO lenses), and quite heavier at around 2kg (with the rest weighing 1.2-1.5kg). All three include a standard screw foot to support that extra weight on tripods and rigs. Also, 2kg is still quite manageable.

Optics

The new 135mm T2.4 and 180mm T2.8 mostly extend the reach of the line. Both use 16 elements in 11 groups and a 16-blade aperture that will go as low as T2.2. As with the rest of the PAVO line you could buy a neutral streak version, or a blue strick version (not user-changeable). The lenses will have a rather close minimum focus distance of about one meter. The new Macro 65mm T2.8 takes this feature to the extreme. The lens will focus down to 36.6cm, creating a 1:2 (half-life-size) magnification.

Key features

• Marco 65mm magnification ratios (1:2)
• Well-controlled chromatic aberration
• Oval bokeh and waterfall out of focus
• Close focus distance at 0.366m
• Expanded focus lengths, remain slight weight (1.2-2kg)
• Metric or imperial focus markings
• Built-in back-focus adjustment

Who is it for?

As with other PAVO lenses DZOFILM targets medium to large production companies, rental houses, and even some owner-operators. While the PAVO lenses aren’t cheap, they are relatively affordable for what they provide. Smaller and lighter than most of the competition while maintaining good mechanical and optical performance, they will work for gimbals, steadicams, hand-held shooting, and lighter rigs. They’ll also work for more mainstream workflow with the added bonus of anamorphic macro capabilities.

Price and availability

Both the 135mm T2.5 and 180mm T2.8 are priced at $5,499 or €5,107 (similar to other PAVO lenses). The Macro 65mm T2.8 is priced higher, at $6,879 or €6,389. Sets are also available.

For more information please visit DZOFILM’s website.

Do you find the recent additions to the DZOFILM PAVO 2x Anamorphic line useful for your workflow? Are there any other focal lengths you would like to see? Let us know in the comments.