DZO Pavo 2x or Arcana 1.5x? Squeeze, coverage, weight, close focus and the cameras each suits, with which DZO anamorphic set to hire in London.
DZOFilm makes two very different anamorphic sets, and we hire both from our counter in Stoke Newington, N16: the DZO Pavo 2x and the DZO Arcana 1.5x. They're both affordable ways into anamorphic, but they suit different cameras and different shoots. Here's how to choose.
Specs are DZOFilm's; the focal lengths are the ones in our sets.
A 2x squeeze is the classic anamorphic look: very oval bokeh, long horizontal flares and a distinctive fall-off. On a 4:3 sensor area it unsqueezes to the traditional 2.39:1 widescreen frame. The Pavo gives you all of that.
A 1.5x squeeze is gentler. On a 16:9 sensor it unsqueezes to roughly 2.66:1, which is easy to crop to 2.39:1 without throwing away much of the sensor. The Arcana is a hybrid design: DZO pairs the 1.5x squeeze with an oval iris, so out-of-focus highlights look more oval than you'd expect from 1.5x.
The Pavo is a Super 35 design, so it's at its best on Super 35 cameras with a 4:3 or open gate mode, such as the ARRI Alexa Mini. It also works on the RED Komodo, where the wider 17:9 sensor gives an extra-wide frame, and on full-frame Sony bodies in Super 35 mode.
The Arcana covers full frame, so it suits large sensors with a 16:9 shape: the Sony FX6, Sony FX3 and RED V-Raptor X. It's PL only, so add a PL to E-mount or PL to RF adapter for those bodies.
This is often the deciding factor. At around 700g per lens, the Arcana is one of the lightest full-frame anamorphic sets around, so it balances on a gimbal and is easy to run handheld. The Pavo is heavier at roughly 1.2 to 1.5kg per lens, which is fine on sticks, a dolly or a shoulder rig but harder work on a small gimbal.
Still not sure? Hire both for a test day, or look at the rest of our anamorphic lens hire range, which includes Atlas, Blazar and Cooke sets. Every DZO lens is on our DZO lens hire page.
Collect from Unit H1, 2 Leswin Place, London N16 7NJ, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. First hire? Please register a production account before you order. Questions: 020 7898 3322 or rentals@weareyellowcactus.com.
The Pavo is a 2x anamorphic set for Super 35. The Arcana is a 1.5x hybrid anamorphic set that covers full frame and weighs about 700g per lens.
Our Pavo set is 28, 40 and 75mm T2.1. Our Arcana set is 32, 45 and 75mm T2.1.
Our Pavo set is a Super 35 design (31.5mm image circle). For full-frame anamorphic, hire the Arcana.
The Arcana. At around 700g per lens it's much lighter than the Pavo, which is around 1.2 to 1.5kg per lens.
The Pavo comes in PL or EF. The Arcana is PL. We stock PL to E-mount and PL to RF adapters for Sony and RED bodies.