DZOFilm was showing their 25-300mm T2.8 Cine Zoom at NAB 2023. This is not a new lens, as we have actually seen a prototype of it before at IBC 2019. Back then it was marketed under the brand Foton.
Above you can see our report from IBC 2019.
The Foton 25-300mm T2.8 was 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.
The 25-300mm T2.8 covers Super 35mm sensors and weighs in at 19.8lb (8.98kg).
I had a play with the Foton Optics M1 25-300mm T2.8 on the show floor back in 2019 and the company clearly needed 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.
DZOFilm has revived the lens (which never made it to market) and they had it on display at NAB for the sole purpose of gauging whether there was enough interest to start manufacturing it.
While lenses like this offer a very impressive focal range, the trade-off is a heavy weight, large size, and compromised optical performance. It would also more than likely cost at least north of $20,000 USD.
It will be interesting to see if DZOFilm brings this lens to market.
