DZOFILM Pictor 12-25mm T2.8 S35 Cine Zoom Introduced

Lens News

by Francesco AndreolaFebruary 23^rd, 2023

Chinese lens manufacturer DZOFILM has just released the fourth member in their Pictor Zoom series designed to cover Super 35mm sensors. The new DZOFILM Pictor 12-25mm T2.8 ultra-wide parfocal cinema zoom is the most compact in the set, comes in PL/EF mount options, and is now available to pre-order starting at $2,889.

The new DZOFILM Pictor 12-25mm T2.8 cinema zoom lens joins the 20-55mm T2.8 and 50-125mm T2.8 models, first launched in 2020, as well as the 14-30mm T2.8 that joined the family in spring last year.

I find this product launch to be a little confusing since this new model and the existing 14-30mm overlap for most of their focal length range. Although the 2mm on the wide end represents a considerable difference in angle of view, I’m afraid this choice still makes the 14-30mm seem a little pointless. Nonetheless, let’s take a closer look at what DZOFILM’s latest Pictor Zoom has to offer!

DZOFILM Pictor 12-25mm T2.8 zoom: features

The new Pictor 12-25mm T2.8 is an ultra-wide parfocal cinema zoom lens with an image circle of 31.5mm, enough to cover Super 35mm sensors. But if you need a budget-friendly, full-frame cine zoom option, then take a look at the company’s Catta and Catta Ace series.

Just like its siblings, the new 12-25mm has a constant T2.8 aperture without ramping throughout its focal length range, comes with a user-interchangeable PL/EF mount, and is available in both black and white finishes.

The lens can focus as close as 0.4m/15.74’’ and, given its parfocal design, retains focus while zooming in or out. Moreover, the manufacturer claims that focus breathing on this lens is almost non-existent.

Optical and physical design

The optical scheme of the Pictor 12-25mm T2.8 zoom features 21 elements arranged in 15 groups and includes 7 low-dispersion elements as well as one aspherical element. The T2.8 aperture has a 16-blade iris design, which should deliver a nice, smooth bokeh.

The 12-25mm is the most compact lens in the Pictor Zoom set, measuring 150mm/5.9’’ in length (PL version), and the second lightest member (1.6kg vs 1.52kg for the 20-55mm). Despite the differences in size and weight, most mechanical characteristics are unified across all lenses in the series.

These include a cinematic housing with standard 0.8 MOD FIZ gears, a long focus throw of 270°, a front outer diameter of 95mm as well as a front 86mm screw-on filter thread.

Price and availability

The new DZOFILM Pictor 12-25mm T2.8 Zoom is now available to pre-order from B&H and CVP. It is available as a standalone item or as a kit with its 20-55mm T2.8 and 50-125mm T2.8 siblings. Pricing is as follows:

• Pictor 12-25mm T2.8 Zoom (black) – $2,889 (B&H / CVP)
• Pictor 12-25mm T2.8 Zoom (white) – $3,089 (B&H / CVP)
• 3-lens kit (black) – $7,999 (B&H / CVP)
• 3-lens kit (white) – $8,199 (B&H / CVP)

For more information, please visit DZOFILM’s website here.

What do you think of the new Pictor 12-25mm T2.8 Zoom? Would you pick up this over the 14-30mm? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!