DZOFILM expands Arles Cine lens system with two T2.6 zooms

With constant T2.6, parfocal operation and internal zooming, the two sub-1.8 kg bodies extend the Arles line, from DZOFILM, to 11 primes and two zooms. 

The Arles 25–75mm T2.6 and 65–180mm T2.6 zoom lenses from DZOFILM are available at a retail price of US$2,899 each, while a two-lens kit with hard case is priced at US$5,199. The lenses will be available beginning in late September but preorders are now open through authorized DZOFILM dealers worldwide and the DZOFILM official online store. 

The 25–75mm offers a 3× zoom range covering wide, normal and short-telephoto perspectives, while the 65–180mm provides a 2.8× zoom range extending from portrait focal lengths into telephoto work. Together, the two lenses cover 25mm to 180mm without a focal gap. 

Both lenses cover a 43.5mm image circle for full-frame sensors and maintain a constant T2.6 aperture throughout their zoom ranges, supporting deliberate zoom shots and focal-length changes without corresponding exposure adjustments. The iris stops down to T22. 

DZOFILM notes that the the focal length overlap is deliberate. The two zoom ranges overlap between 65mm and 75mm rather than meeting at a single focal length. Operators can change from one zoom to the other without interrupting a shot, match framing between two cameras running different lenses, and move between angles without a visible jump in composition. The overlap also covers commonly used portrait and medium-telephoto focal lengths on either lens, giving greater flexibility when assigning lenses to different camera positions. 

The internally zooming design keeps barrel length and center of gravity constant while the focal length changes. This supports more consistent balance on handheld and compatible gimbal configurations and reduces the need to adjust a rig while zooming.

Both lenses are parfocal in their PL and EF configurations, maintaining focus as the focal length changes. Their optical design also minimizes focus breathing to reduce unwanted changes in framing during focus pulls. Each lens provides a 270-degree manual focus rotation and a 100-degree zoom rotation.

The 25–75mm weighs approximately 1,767 g and the 65–180mm approximately 1,782 g. In their standard PL configurations, the lenses measure 178.1mm and 190.85mm respectively from the lens front to the flange plane. Their similar dimensions and weights reduce rig adjustments when changing between the two zooms. Both use aluminum-alloy bodies. 

Here is more information shared by DZOFILM about the new zoom lenses:

The Arles Zooms use the same coating formulation as the Arles prime series, and their rendering is designed to remain consistent with the color, warmth and tonal character of the existing lenses. The custom low-saturation coating controls flare and ghosting. A 16-blade iris produces circular out-of-focus highlights and smooth transitions between focused and defocused areas.

The 25–75mm uses 22 elements in eight groups, including seven ED and five HRI elements, while the 65–180mm uses 20 elements in eight groups, including seven ED and two HRI elements. These control field curvature and chromatic aberration while maintaining resolution and contrast across the zoom ranges. Based on its internal testing, DZOFILM says the lenses provide 8K resolving support. Close focus, measured from the sensor plane, is 0.51m / 1ft8in for the 25–75mm and 0.89m / 2ft11in for the 65–180mm.

Both zooms share a 95mm front diameter, M86 filter thread and industry-standard 0.8 MOD gearing. The focus, iris and zoom gears occupy consistent positions on both zooms, and the focus and iris gear positions also align with the Arles primes.

This simplifies the use of matte boxes, follow-focus systems, lens motors and other cinema accessories, and reduces motor repositioning when changing between the two zooms or between a zoom and a prime.

Interchangeable PL and EF Mounts 

Both lenses are supplied with PL mounts as standard. User-changeable EF mount kits are available separately for US$99 and add 7.3mm to the length of each lens, giving 185.4mm for the 25–75mm and 198.15mm for the 65–180mm.

Metric and imperial focus-scale versions, along with the EF mount kits, will be available beginning in late September. DZOFILM Octopus and Octopus II adapters extend the lenses to mirrorless camera systems.

Reach to 252mm With the Marlin 1.4× Extender

The Arles Zooms can be paired with the DZOFILM Marlin 1.4× Extender in PL-to-E, PL-to-Z, PL-to-L and PL-to-RF configurations. This changes the effective focal ranges to 35–105mm for the 25–75mm and 91–252mm for the 65–180mm.

With the extender installed, the lenses transmit at approximately T3.6 to T3.7 wide open, and parfocal performance is maintained.