During a trip to London, an idea emerged during a meeting with Marco Cappati of Fowa: to develop a series of DZO lenses (based on the Arles T1.4 VV/FF lenses) in collaboration with Collettivo Chiaroscuro. This led to an invitation to China for the Collettivo and a sponsored trip by Godox for a delegation of five members, all part of the board: Timoty Aliprandi, Alessandro Chiodo, Luca Ciuti, Stefano Paradiso, and Sara Purgatorio. The lens development project came to fruition as part of a broader exchange with the companies Dzofilm, Godox, SmallRig and Vaxis. Beyond the technical and professional enrichment, the experience proved to be an important human journey. We are publishing the reflections on this trip from each of the five CCS “envoys”.
Read also:
Timoty Aliprandi, Small, Valuable Lessonsi
Alessandro Chiodo, Designing the Character of a Lens
Luca Ciuti, Breaking Down Prejudices
Sara Purgatorio, A Country That Listens
Like many of us, I’ve travelled widely – for work and for pleasure. Yet this wonderful (and exhausting) leap into the land of the Dragon truly surprised me on many levels. The China we encountered is no longer (or not only) the one shaped by the clichés we so often receive. It is a nation on the move, in flux, under constant construction – capable of blending modernity and tradition in a surprisingly balanced way.
Futuristic skyscrapers sit alongside ancient temples (which we didn’t see), ultra-tech districts alternate with historic markets, and the population seems to navigate between past and future with remarkable harmony.
In my view – and I believe I speak for many of my colleagues who shared this journey – China today is ahead. Ahead in technology, in logistics, in urban planning. But above all, ahead in energy, in vision, in the capacity to embrace change.
Compared to this momentum, old Europe – though we love it deeply – seemed, in some respects, weary and lagging behind. Not for lack of beauty, but perhaps for a certain slowness in embracing innovation and in believing in the future.
We were also struck by the calm demeanour of the Chinese people: composed, respectful, often proud. A quietness reflected in everyday gestures, in faces, in the sense of order that prevails even amid the chaos of sprawling cities.
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Shenzhen 2025. Photo Alessandro Chiodo
It was an intense journey, rich in professional insights: powerful visual landscapes, unique urban settings, lights and atmospheres impossible not to draw inspiration from. An experience that not only enriched us on a human level, but also opened up new perspectives on our work and on the world.
The visits to the four brands were full of content and ideas. Among them, Godox stood out in particular – they sponsored our trip and welcomed us with great openness, offering us an exclusive preview of several new products not yet launched on the market, alongside others already well known to us professionals.
We had the opportunity to test them in the field over two packed days of hands-on trials. The exchange with the company’s managers and technicians was both deep and stimulating: a genuine, constructive dialogue on a technical level, which proved enriching for both sides.
On the one hand, there was us, with our real-world needs and our perspective from the set; on the other, there was them, eager to listen, gather feedback, and share the thinking and development process behind each product.
Photo Alessandro Chiodo
Dzofilm gave us a deep dive into the world of lens construction inside their spotless, impeccably organised laboratories. We had the chance to examine a lens from the Arles series, customised at our request with a replaced front element. Compared to the standard versions available on the market, it turned out to be a winning choice: an original look, beautiful flare, and a truly distinctive visual character.
Photo Alessandro Chiodo
The other two visits took place at SmallRig and Vaxis. While SmallRig’s offerings were slightly less aligned with our specific needs, they still showcased a number of very interesting accessories for cinema cameras. We particularly appreciated the new adjustable handles for handheld shooting, the high-performance batteries, and a range of smaller yet cleverly designed accessories — the kind of details that can truly make a difference on a lean, agile set.
The company’s management proved extremely approachable, friendly, and receptive to our suggestions — an attitude we found very encouraging.
The visit to Vaxis, on the other hand, was particularly stimulating. They introduced us to a range of filters with genuinely impressive optical characteristics, but above all, to their Razor – Movmax system: an Air Shock Absorption system designed to support various configurations via three different payload variants.
We were struck by the build quality and effectiveness of the system, as well as the overall versatility of the line. Their camera sliders also deserve a mention — smooth, solid, and paired with an extensive selection of grip accessories, making them ideal for adapting to a wide variety of shooting scenarios.
Photo Alessandro Chiodo
I’d like to conclude with a heartfelt tribute to our Collettivo and the unique experience we shared: exchanging thoughts, visions and insights in real time with fellow colleagues, directly in the field, in front of the very process of designing and building the tools of our craft – the tools that shape the way we tell stories every day – was something we had never experienced before. It was intense, and I hope it will be repeated. An experience rooted in genuine exchange, shared passion, and collective growth.
