What the DZOFilm Octopus II and Marlin Do for Mirrorless Filmmakers
The DZOFilm Octopus II PL lens adapter and Marlin 1.4x extender are lens accessories that allow filmmakers to mount professional PL-mount cinema lenses on modern mirrorless camera systems while extending focal length options and sensor coverage, giving access to a larger library of cinema optics with reduced weight and improved workflow. This combination is aimed at shooters who are moving from traditional cinema cameras to mirrorless bodies but want to keep using their existing PL glass. By bridging PL and mirrorless mounts, the adapter turns mirrorless cameras into platforms for professional lens mount ecosystems. The Marlin extender adds a 1.4x focal boost and lets many Super35 lenses cover full-frame sensors, which helps unify lens sets across different cameras. Together, they help mirrorless cinema lenses sit alongside legacy PL options in one flexible, mobile toolkit.
A PL Lens Adapter Built for Modern Mirrorless Systems
The DZOFilm Octopus II is a multi-mount PL lens adapter designed to bring Arri PL-mount cinema lenses to Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and L-Mount mirrorless cameras. It uses an aluminum body with stainless-steel mounts, and DZOFilm rates the adapter for more than 100,000 mounting cycles at 0.01mm precision, maintaining accurate infinity focus without user calibration. According to PetaPixel, “the original Octopus PL-E adapter weighed 390 grams (13.8 ounces), while the new Octopus II weighs 190 grams (6.7 ounces), down nearly 50%.” DZOFilm also says the new design adds a little over 7% more internal space, giving better clearance for rear elements on lenses like the Arles, Arcana, Vespid, Pictor, and Gnosis series. For filmmakers, that means a wider choice of PL lenses can now ride on compact mirrorless bodies without modification.
Up to 49% Lighter for Rigs, Gimbals, and Run‑and‑Gun Work
Weight savings are at the core of the Octopus II update. Depending on the mount version, the second-generation adapter is up to 49% lighter than its predecessor, dropping to as little as 190g. On gimbal or shoulder rigs, shaving nearly half the adapter weight makes it easier to balance heavy PL lenses on compact mirrorless cameras and reduces stress on native mounts. The adapter includes a detachable 1/4-inch threaded base, so users can support the lens and adapter from below, shifting the center of gravity away from the camera body. Ergonomic touches, such as a redesigned handle with directional guides, help with quicker lens swaps on set where speed matters. Combined with its roomier interior and durable construction, the lighter Octopus II becomes a practical everyday PL adapter for mirrorless cinema lenses in handheld, studio, and gimbal setups.
Marlin 1.4x Extender: Focal Boost and S35-to-Full-Frame Coverage
The Marlin 1.4x extender tackles a different problem: how to keep using Super35 cinema lenses on full-frame mirrorless cameras without vignetting. Inserted between a PL lens and the camera, it increases the effective focal length by 1.4x with under one stop of light loss, while expanding the image circle so many Super35 lenses can cover full-frame sensors. Optically, DZOFilm uses high-refractive-index elements, large-diameter aspherics, and internal flocking to control stray light and chromatic aberration, preserving each lens’s original character as much as possible. Integrated back-focus adjustment lets crews fine-tune focus without shims or disassembly, a time-saver for zooms and multi-camera setups. Available in PL-E, PL-RF, and PL-Z versions, the Marlin fits into the same professional lens mount ecosystem as the Octopus II, turning existing Super35 cine sets into more flexible, full-frame-ready tools.
Bridging the Workflow Gap Between Cinema and Mirrorless
For filmmakers transitioning from dedicated cinema cameras to mirrorless systems, the Octopus II and Marlin address a significant workflow gap. Many crews own extensive PL-mount Super35 lens sets, but their new mirrorless bodies favor shorter flange distances and different mounts. By combining a PL lens adapter with a 1.4x extender, DZOFilm lets teams carry fewer lens sets and move quickly between Super35, full-frame, and even medium-format sensors. The adapter supports popular mirrorless mounts, while the extender helps match coverage and focal length expectations across projects. This reduces the need to rent or buy separate mirrorless-native cinema lenses and keeps legacy PL glass in daily use. For owners of DZOFilm lenses like Vespid, Pictor, or Gnosis, the ecosystem approach means their glass can follow them from gimbals to larger rigs without reconfiguring their entire kit.
