DZOFILM Vespid 12mm T2.8 Ultra-Wide VV Cine Lens – First Look

by Jakub HanJune 6^th, 2023

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DZOFILM Vespid 12mm T2.8 is a new ultra-wide cine lens that will expand the wide end of the Vespid Prime series. Featuring a fairly compact and lightweight design, the lens covers large format sensors up to Vista Vision, has an 80mm front diameter, gear rings, and a close focus of 20cm (7.87″). Teased during Cine Gear in LA, the lens should be available in August 2023 for around $1,500.

The Chinese lens manufacturer DZOFILM has been quite active in releasing new products lately. Back in April 2023, during the NAB show in Las Vegas, we checked out the company’s new PAVO 2X anamorphic series lenses. These were actually the first anamorphic lenses for DZOFILM.

During Cine Gear Expo at the Los Angeles Paramount Studios, we checked out another new DZOFILM lens – the Vespid 12mm cine prime. Let’s take a brief look at the new ultra-wide angle lens.

DZOFILM Vespid 12mm T2.8 cine prime

The new 12mm lens expands the wide end of the existing DZOFILM Vespid prime lens series, which previously offered 16mm T2.8 as the widest angle lens option. Other focal lengths in the Vespid Prime series are currently: 21mm, 25mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm, 75mm, 90mm, 100mm, and 125mm – all T2.1.

According to DZOFILM, just like the other existing Vespid primes, the new Vespid 12mm T2.8 lens covers large format sensors up to Vista Vision, making it an extremely wide-angle option. For instance, an open gate recording option in the ARRI ALEXA LF is fully covered by the image circle of this lens.

When it comes to optical characteristics, as Frank Ding from DZOFILM told us, the lens features a clean look with well-controlled flares. There is a minor pincushion distortion which is to be expected with a lens this wide.

The close focus is 20cm (7.87″) and the distance markings are available in both metric and imperial units on each side of the lens. Like other Vespid primes, the 12mm T2.8 comes with a PL mount, but it also includes an EF mount that is user-interchangeable. The front diameter of the lens is 80mm.

Vespid Prime versus Vespid Retro

On top of the standard Vespid Prime series, DZOFILM also has the Vespid Retro line. The only difference in the retro line (apart from the silver body finish) is in the coatings. The Retro line has a warmer (amber-toned) coating. The flares are more pronounced and less controlled. Currently, the Retro line includes the following focal lengths: 16mm T2.8, 25mm T2.1, 35mm T2.1, 50mm T2.1, 75mm T2.1, 100mm T2.1, and 125mm T2.1.

Price and availability

DZOFILM Vespid 12mm T2.8 lens should be available in August 2023, and the company aims at a price point of around $1,500, but this is not 100% final yet.

Do you use any of the Vespid Prime lenses for your cinematography work? How do you like the look of these lenses? What do you expect from the new 12mm T2.8 Vespid prime? Let us know in the comments section below.