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

On a dry lake bed, a motion-control crew flew DZOFilm's 360° periscope probe on a robot arm for macro passes over a Formula 1 car, because the periscope kept the entrance pupil clear of a bulky film camera. That same head ships in the DZOFilm X-Tract 18-28mm T8 FF Probe Zoom Lens (90° + 360°) PL Mount, partnered by a 90° tube. Both attach via DZOFilm's inter-lens mount to one rear section holding the gear rings and PL mount.

Inside the 90° periscope, a silver-coated PET reflector turns the image through a right angle behind a square window. With the camera level above a turntable, it watches the stylus ride a groove side-on, and a locking ring spins the tip to level the horizon. Output is mirrored; plan a horizontal flip. The 360° periscope adds a second lockable ring. Parked at 0°, its arm climbs or descends along a 55 cm arc. Between marks, the frame tilts. At 180°, the folded arm corkscrews along a bicycle chain.

Either way, T8 holds across the zoom, ten blades reach T45, and a 43.2 mm circle serves full frame and Super 35. Six ED and seven high-index elements pin distortion at ±2% or less and curb the amber cast common to other probes. Breathing reads 0.5% at 24 mm; fixed 24 mm probes from other makers hit 39.2%. Relative illumination is 68.6% (90°) and 71.7% (360°) versus their 54.9%. Parfocal, it lets the zoom ride mid-take. Racked to 28 mm, 6 mm off the subject, it images at 2.1:1 macro scale.

Rated IP57, it dives to a marked 28 cm water line; the front sheds water and fog, and DZOFilm qualifies it for −30 °C to +70 °C. Both heads take one square filter size, so DZOFilm's #2 UV protector fits either, guarding the glass under 5 cm; pull it before a dunk. The 0.8 MOD rings for iris (72°), zoom (100°) and focus (300°) stay on the rear section, so FIZ motors remain rigged through head changes. Rear-biased weight steadies robot arms. PL is standard, an optional DZOFilm EF mount swaps in, while the shallow rear suits Octopus and most RF, E or LPL adapters. Case, Y-bracket, shims and support clamps are in the box. For a company selling product and car inserts, this detachable probe lens kit puts two periscope views into one item to prep, insure and rig.