B&H Photo News Roundup: Week of February 12, 2023

DZOFilm has another new lens, Profoto has new Clic modifiers, and Zoom releases a 32-bit audio interface.

Week of February 12, 2023

We have something for everyone this week with DZOFilm, Profoto, Zoom, and more in the mix. DZOFilm released its second lens announcement for the year with a wide-angle zoom: the Pictor Zoom 12-25mm T2.8 Lens for Super 35mm systems. Profoto added some more options to its compact Clic modifier lineup with new softboxes and a Magnum reflector. Zoom has released the UAC-232 2x2 Audio Interface—now with 32-bit float recording.

Let’s dive in.

DZOFilm widens Pictor Zoom lineup with 12-25mm T2.8 cine lens

Affordable is a relative term in the world of cinema, but the good news is that affordable is no longer a direct reflection of quality. DZOFilm has proven this with a solid set of quality cinema lenses at much more attainable price points. The brand’s latest, the Pictor Zoom 12-25mm T2.8 Lens, is a prime example of this and adds an ultra-wide option for Super 35mm shooters at just under $2,900.

DZOFilm has made a compact, quality, and relatively affordable cinema zoom: the Pictor 12-25mm T2.8 Lens.

This lens is ultra-wide and also the most compact lens in the Pictor series, measuring only 6.26" in length at its longest and weighing just 3.5 lb. Having an ultra-wide is almost essential with Super 35mm formats because it lets you capture those sweeping landscapes and establishing shots more easily. The T2.8 aperture and close minimum focus distance of 15.7" also improve the lens’s general versatility.

Of course, it maintains the Pictor look with gentle sharpness and round bokeh with balanced colors. The lens is parfocal and has good control over field curvature and distortion—important for ultra-wide lenses. There is also minimal focus breathing throughout the range.

It’s looking like another solid addition to the lineup and a great choice if you are looking to upgrade to true cinema glass without breaking the bank.

DZOFilm has a solid lineup with the Pictor Zoom series, available in various bundles if you want to acquire a few at once.

As with previous releases in the line, the lens comes with ARRI PL and Canon EF lens mounts. Optional Octopus adapters for Sony E, Canon RF, L-Mount, Nikon Z, and FUJIFILM X are available and it will work with the Marlin 1.6x Extender to cover full-frame and Vista Vision sensors. Plus, it comes in either black or white!

Profoto adds additional modifiers to compact Clic series

The OCF series of lights and accessories was a huge step forward in portability and usability for traditional strobes. That seems to be only the first step, because Profoto has been aggressively expanding its Clic lineup of ultra-portable and on-camera A-series flashes. (I love my little A2.) Today, we can get even more modifiers that feature the Clic series’ signature magnetic attachment system: 2.3' and 2.7' Octaboxes, the accessory grids, and a Magnum Reflector.

We have already seen a 2' Clic Octabox and the newer, larger 2.3' and 2.7' options are very useful to have. They all share the same design with an easy-open folding mechanism, an integrated handle with stand adapter, and tilt control. An A10 or A2 will easily snap into place with magnets on the back.

Being larger, these should help create even softer lighting when the situation calls for it. If you want to control spill there are some Clic Softgrids available alongside the new softboxes.

Profoto’s Clic system and A-series lights are impressively compact.

The more interesting release may be the Clic Magnum Reflector. This is the first reflector for the Clic system and is a very nice addition. The reflector works as expected and will focus the beam of light to a 37-degree beam angle, effectively increasing brightness by approximately 1.8 stops. It also includes a 20-degree grid.

Profoto is known for coming in at a bit of premium, so you will need to consider your budget, but the A2 with a couple of accessories is a surprisingly compact and effective lighting kit.

Zoom brings out 32-bit UAC-232 2x2 audio interface

32-bit is all the rage in audio. What’s not to love? You can basically forget about setting levels (or forget to set your levels) and just bring back all the details in your audio after the fact. The Zoom UAC-232 2x2 USB Audio Interface is one of the first traditional interfaces to offer 32-bit float recording. If you are a streamer, podcaster, musician, or other creator, you’ll likely want to look at this one.

Zoom’s UAC-232 brings 32-bit float recording to their compact and portable USB audio interface lineup. — Zoom’s UAC-232 brings 32-bit float recording to its compact and portable USB audio interface lineup.

To get the 32-bit bit out of the way, we can talk about how the UAC-232 uses dual AD converters to capture this clip-free and low-noise audio. Too loud or too quiet? Fix it in post and stay focused on the content while you create it.

This model uses the same preamps from the F-Series recorders, which have been very well received. They have 48V phantom power, Hi-Z, two XLR/1/4" combo jacks, etc.―all the things you would expect from this type of interface.

The UAC-232 is compact and fairly portable if you need to use it that way. It can be powered via USB-C and comes with straps to mount it wherever you might need, like a stand.

A very nice update for Zoom’s interfaces.

In other news…

The video team took the latest MacBook Pro with M2 Max chip for a spin and compared it to the M1 Max when using Adobe apps, DaVinci, and more!
One of our writers did a quick review of the latest GoPro—the HERO11 Black.
DJI updated its most affordable smartphone gimbal with the release of the Osmo Mobile SE.
We have posted an informative video with five podcasting tips from Peter Rosenberg.