fbpx

Foton Optics M1 25-300mm T2.8 Cine Zoom

Foton is a new optics company and their first lens is a 25-300mm T2.8 cine zoom. Essentially Foton is a rebranded entity of DZO. DZO is a Chinese lens manufacturer that primarily makes industrial lenses.

Foton Optics M1 25-300mm T2.8 Cine Zoom

The Foton 25-300mm T2.8 is being targeted as a cheaper alternative to lenses such as the Fujinon ZK12x25 25-300mm T3.5-3.8, Angenieux Optimo Style 25-250mm T3.3, and the Canon CN-E 30-300mm T2.95-3.7.

DSC 0641

The 25-300mm T2.8 covers Super 35mm sensors and weighs in at 19.8lb (8.98kg). The company told me that the lens is supposed to have a “vintage look“.

Foton Optics M1 25-300mm T2.8 Cine Zoom

I had a play with the Foton Optics M1 25-300mm T2.8 on the show floor and the company clearly still needs to put a lot more development into this lens. The mechanics were not up to scratch for a cine zoom and the image while not bad, was nothing special. I know this is still an early version of the lens, but if you are going to show a product on the show floor to garner interest, it needs to be up to scratch.

Foton Optics M1 25-300mm T2.8 Cine Zoom

Foton Optics is not planning on shipping the lens till early in 2020 and they are targeting a price of $22,000 USD. While that price is considerably cheaper than offerings from the big manufacturers, I can’t see many, if any, rental houses or owner operators purchasing this lens. Hopefully the lens will be improved before it is released.

Subscribe to our newsletter