A New Lens for Aerial Filmmakers: DJI DL 75mm f/1.8

DJI has unveiled a fresh addition to its DL-mount lens lineup – the DJI DL 75mm f/1.8. This wide-aperture, medium telephoto lens is designed to capture subjects at a distance, providing aerial filmmakers with a distinct perspective. The lens boasts the widest aperture and longest focal length in DJI's current DL-mount lens offering.

A Shift in Perspective

This lens introduces a change in how aerial shots can be captured, moving away from the commonly used wide-angle lenses on drones. The DJI DL 75mm f/1.8 allows for the isolation of details and a feeling of closeness to the action from a bird's eye view. This new lens can help filmmakers bring unique and compelling visuals to their projects.

A Bright Aperture

The f/1.8 aperture, while offering benefits like shallow depth of field and low-light performance, can also present challenges in bright daylight conditions. Achieving cinematic-looking footage in such conditions might require additional steps. Fortunately, the lens features a 55mm filter thread, enabling the use of polarizers or ND filters to manage the incoming light and maintain desirable shutter speeds.

Quality and Features

DJI emphasizes the high sharpness and minimal chromatic aberration of the lens. The sample footage released alongside the announcement seems to support this claim. Additionally, the DJI DL 75mm f/1.8 comes with a comprehensive package including pan and tilt-axis counterweights, a balancing ring, and a lens protector, all conveniently stored in a dedicated case.

DL-Mount: A Growing Ecosystem

The DL mount is a proprietary lens mount developed by DJI. It was first introduced in 2017 with the DJI Zenuse X7, a Super35mm camera designed to work in tandem with the DJI Inspire 2. Today, the DL-mount has extended its reach to more DJI devices, including the Zenmuse X9-8K used in conjunction with the DJI Ronin 4D.

Beyond DJI: The DL-Mount Landscape

DJI isn't the sole manufacturer of DL-mount lenses. Laowa has entered the market with several DL-mount lenses, providing alternatives at the opposite end of the focal length spectrum compared to DJI's new offering. Sirui has taken a slightly different approach, offering a 75mm DL-mount lens, alongside 35mm and 50mm options, but with an anamorphic twist.

Availability and Pricing

The DJI DL 75mm f/1.8 is now available for purchase at a price of $1,299. However, some retailers might be waiting to receive stock, potentially leading to a brief delay for those ordering the lens immediately.

A New Perspective on Aerial Cinematography

The DJI DL 75mm f/1.8 offers aerial filmmakers a new perspective with its medium telephoto reach and wide aperture. This lens, along with the evolving DL-mount ecosystem, signifies the potential for more creative and unique aerial cinematography.