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DZOFILM Vespid Prime
Camera · Lenses

DZOFILM Vespid Prime

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DZOFilm full-frame cine prime lens series with consistent T2.1 aperture (12mm, 16mm, and 90mm macro at T2.8), manual focus, and interchangeable PL/EF mount.

Overview

The Vespid Prime is a series of cine prime lenses from the Chinese manufacturer DZOFilm. The lenses are positioned as cost-effective full-frame optics for feature film, commercial, and documentary productions, and they cover the larger Vista Vision format in addition to Full Frame. All focal lengths are pure manual focus lenses with consistent gearing for focus pullers and follow focus systems.

Characteristic features include a consistent T2.1 aperture across most of the series, a uniform front diameter, and a changeable mount that allows use with different camera systems. Only the two wide-angle lenses, 12mm and 16mm, and the 90mm macro are slightly slower at T2.8.

Technical Specifications

FeatureValue
TypeCine Prime, Manual Focus
Focal Lengths12, 16, 21, 25, 35, 40, 50, 75, 90 (Macro), 100, 125 mm
ApertureT2.1 (12mm, 16mm, and 90mm Macro: T2.8)
Image Circleapprox. 46.5 mm (Full Frame / Vista Vision)
MountInterchangeable PL / EF
Front Diameter80 mm
Filter ThreadM77 (77 mm)
Focus Throwapprox. 270° (varies by focal length)
Gearing0.8 Mod (Focus and Iris)

The 90mm macro offers a maximum magnification ratio of 1.5:1. Individual special focal lengths deviate slightly from the focus throw and front dimensions; for example, DZOFilm specifies the focus throw for some optics as exceeding 270°.

On-Set Use

Due to the uniform 80mm front diameter and the common 77mm filter thread, matte boxes, clip-on adapters, and follow focus systems can be used across the series without retooling. The interchangeable PL/EF mount makes the optics usable on classic PL cine cameras and EF-based systems; PL kits are typically supplied with EF adapters.

The full-frame image circle of approximately 46.5 mm covers sensors up to Full Frame and Vista Vision without vignetting, making the series suitable for large sensors such as those found in RED, Sony VENICE, or ARRI Alexa LF class cameras. Because of the largely consistent T2.1 aperture, exposure can be maintained to a great extent when changing focal lengths; note the slower exceptions of the 12mm, 16mm, and 90mm macro at T2.8. Furthermore, this is a pure manual focus series without autofocus or auto iris functionality.

Note: DZOFilm has since introduced successor and sister lines, including the faster Vespid Prime2 or Vespid 2 (T1.9) and the Vespid Retro; these should not be confused with the original Vespid Prime series described here.

From the crafts

Perspectives

Cinematographer

Als Kameramann schätze ich die Vespid Prime Objektive für ihre wunderbar warme Bildcharakteristik und das organische Bokeh, das Gesichtern eine sehr natürliche Plastizität verleiht. Die einheitliche Filtergröße von 77mm spart mir am Set enorm viel Zeit beim Objektivwechsel, da ich meine Mattebox nicht ständig umrüsten muss. Die präzise Fokussierung mit 300° Rotation gibt mir die nötige Kontrolle für anspruchsvolle Schärfeverlagerungen.

Director

Diese Objektive unterstützen meine visuelle Erzählung durch ihren subtilen Vintage-Charakter, ohne dabei aufdringlich zu wirken – perfekt für emotionale, character-driven Stories. Die warme Farbwiedergabe hilft mir dabei, eine intime Atmosphäre zu schaffen, die das Publikum näher an die Charaktere heranführt. In der Zusammenarbeit mit meinem Kameramann schätze ich die Konsistenz der Serie, die uns erlaubt, spontan zwischen verschiedenen Brennweiten zu wechseln, ohne den Look zu verlieren.

Producer

Die Vespid Prime Serie bietet ein ausgezeichnetes Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis im Segment der Cinema-Objektive und ermöglicht auch mittleren Produktionen den Zugang zu hochwertiger Optik. Die Verfügbarkeit am deutschen Verleihmarkt ist gut, und die kompakte Bauweise reduziert Transport- und Logistikkosten erheblich. Besonders schätze ich, dass wir mit einem überschaubaren Set von sechs Objektiven nahezu alle narrativen Anforderungen abdecken können.

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