DZOFilm Vespid II Review: Speed, Metadata, and a Bold New Lineup

The Vespid II primes arrive with more than just a fresh coat of paint. DZOFilm has taken the core appeal of the original Vespid series and supercharged it with faster apertures, metadata support, and a refined lineup built for modern filmmaking. These lenses are not simply a sequel, they are a bold statement that DZOFilm is listening to creators and pushing their designs into territory once reserved for higher end cinema glass.

Vespid II overview

Let’s jump in because the Vespid II aren’t a copy & paste update. They have four distinct features that completely set them apart from the previous iteration. First off, they are available only in PL-mount. Not surprising as the design for these prevents swappable mounts. As mentioned before, they aren’t just redoing the same focal lengths. They are swapping some out and adding new ones!

Focal lengths in the previous Vespid: 12mm, 16mm, 21mm, 25mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm, 75mm, 90mm, 100mm, 125mm

Vespid II focal lengths: 18mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 105mm

Keep in mind that while these are launching as a 6-lens set, we can all feel pretty confident in additional focal lengths being added at a later time. Personally, I think that a core set of 6 is ideal as it gives plenty of versatility with a majority of people sticking within the 24-85mm range most often on set.

Now to get to the nitty gritty on the other two features I mentioned. Starting with aperture. The Vespid II must have had a second cup of coffee because they’ve jumped from a turtle paced T2.1 found on the previous series to a blistering T1.9 in the new set. Joking aside it is a noticeable hop to showcase how DZO has listened to user feedback and did some fine-tuning. This next one is interesting. DZO has added metadata by implementing the use of Cooke’s /i technology. Through the contacts on the pl-mount, metadata can be captured for use in post-production. For those running external units, the Vespid II carry over a LEMO port similar to the previous generation. The Cooke /i contacts are a surprising development though, given the price point and target market for these lenses. But hey, we’re all for bringing more pro-grade features to the masses.

Below are the tech specs for the Vespid II:

Lens	18mm	24mm	35mm	50mm	85mm	105mm
Mount	PL	PL	PL	PL	PL	PL
Aperture	T1.9-22	T1.9-22	T1.9-22	T1.9-22	T1.9-22	T1.9-22
Image Circle	46.5mm	46.5mm	46.5mm	46.5mm	46.5mm	46.5mm
Close Focus	0.25m	0.3m	0.3m	0.5m	0.74m	0.9m
Front Dia.	80mm	80mm	80mm	80mm	80mm	80mm
Iris Blade	10	10	10	10	10	10
Focus Rot.	300°	300°	300°	300°	300°	300°
Filter Size	77	77	77	77	77	77
Weight	766g	776g	800g	836g	865g	833g

The Benefits of Metadata

Cinema lenses today are becoming smarter, and metadata is one of the most useful tools to come from that shift. By recording information like focal length, focus distance, aperture, and distortion, metadata can feed directly into camera systems and post production workflows. On high end productions, this data streamlines visual effects and even virtual production environments.

What makes the Vespid II lineup noteworthy is that they bring this same capability to a far more accessible price point. In fact, they may be the most affordable primes available with Cooke /i contacts. While many owner operators who shoot documentary, indie narratives, or run and gun projects might not see themselves using metadata the same way a VFX house would, it still has real value. Having a digital record of every shot improves consistency, simplifies archiving, and future proofs your work as productions evolve. The inclusion of metadata in a lens set at this level shows just how much the Vespid are built to compete above their class, giving independent filmmakers tools once reserved for the highest tier of cinema glass.

And who’s to say you might not eventually get a VFX heavy project where you need to use smaller lenses. Or maybe you jump into the commercial product game and need to reference that metadata in post. The barrier to entry for those more technical and high-end projects just got much smaller.

A Show of Growth

The addition of metadata and faster aperture in the Vespid II also reflect a larger trend in DZOFilm’s philosophy. With releases like the Arles series, featuring super fast T1.4 apertures and refined image quality, and the X-tract Probe zooms designed for truly unique perspectives, DZOFilm has shown a steady push into higher end productions with professional features that deliver real value on set.

For those considering the Vespid II primes, this should inspire confidence. They are not only a versatile and affordable toolset today, but also part of a broader push by DZOFilm to meet the needs of filmmakers across every level of production.

Pricing & Availability

Time will tell if this updated line will reach the same level of popularity as the previous iteration, but we are confident that the new features will spark serious attention. Starting at $1,199 per lens and $6,289 for the 6 lens kit with hard case, these primes are a great value. The Vespid II are ready to fight, just as aggressively as their namesake, for a spot on high end productions, not just on B cams, but as stars of the show.