DZOFilm X-Tract 18-28mm T8 FF Probe Zoom Lens (0° + 90° + 360°) Set PL Mount

Swapping a probe's front module between takes costs minutes, and DZOFilm admits that frequent barrel changes on its detachable kits can leave abrasion marks. The DZOFilm X-Tract 18-28mm T8 FF Probe Zoom Lens (0° + 90° + 360°) Set PL Mount removes that step with three complete, sealed lenses: a 0° direct-view tube, a 90° periscope and a 360° rotating periscope. One stays motorised on camera A while another serves B or a second unit.

All three share one recipe: constant T8 from 18 to 28 mm, ten blades closing to T45, a 43.2 mm full-frame image circle. At 28 mm, magnification reaches 2.1:1 with 6 mm between glass and subject, a frame barely wider than a microSD card. Seven HRI and six ED elements fight the yellowish tint probes are known for and hold distortion inside ±2%; breathing is 0.5% at 24 mm, and the zoom is parfocal. Prisms add glass (25, 26, 27 elements), yet relative illumination holds at 70.7%, 68.6% and 71.7%, versus 54.9% on a typical probe. Corners across the trio match within a tenth of a stop.

The straight tube pushes between perfume bottles or into a watch movement. The 90° bends light off a silver-coated layer behind a square front; its tip rotates a full turn, then locks. Lowered into a pint of stout, it watches the nitrogen cascade, camera dry above. Its image is mirrored; flip it on the monitor and in the grade. The 360° pairs a folding arm with two rotation rings: at the 0° mark its arm sweeps a 55 cm vertical arc, off-axis it gives a Dutch angle, and folded rearward it spins a barrel roll down a model railway.

Each barrel is IP57-sealed and goes 28 cm under water; front glass resists fog and beading, and temperature testing covers −30 °C to 70 °C. Focus turns 300°, zoom 100° and iris 72° on all three, geared at 0.8 MOD, so throws match lens to lens. Weight sits toward the camera, and the short rear end lets mirrorless bodies take the set via DZOFilm Octopus or most E, RF and LPL adapters. One hard case carries all three with Y-bracket, UV filters, shims and O-clamps. For houses billing insert days to drinks, jewellery or industrial clients, a full-frame macro probe lens set that stays mounted turns changeover minutes into shooting time.