The moment you’ve been waiting for has arrived: the Cooke SP3 18mm T2.4 is now available, bringing fresh energy to your filmmaking adventures.
Almost a year after releasing the original 5-lens SP3 set, Cooke has introduced this much-anticipated focal length. While hints about the 18mm have been floating around, it’s exciting to see Cooke deliver exactly what their fans have been asking for. Their responsiveness to customer requests is something we truly appreciate.
So, let’s explore what makes the Cooke SP3 18mm T2.4 a standout addition to the SP3 series.
Expanding The SP3 Line
The introduction of the Cooke SP3 18mm T2.4 marks an exciting milestone as the sixth lens in the SP3 series, perfectly aligning with its Panchro counterparts that the SP3 is meant to compliment. With the 18mm now part of the SP3 lineup, it raises a question: what lens might Cooke introduce next to complement this set? As the SP3 series continues to evolve, the anticipation builds for the next addition.
Not that we are rushing you Cooke, but we are just passing along the questions we get all the time.
The Cooke SP3 18mm T2.4 brings some exciting new features to the table. With a close focus capability of just 0.25 meters, this lens excels at capturing detailed close-ups. It also boosts the maximum diagonal angle of view to 99 degrees for Full Frame and 82 degrees for Super 35 formats, enhancing your ability to shoot both expansive wide shots and tight, intricate scenes.
True to Cooke’s reputation, the 18mm offers the signature smooth rendering and dimensionality, all while staying remarkably lightweight at just 688 grams. Plus, with its 82mm outside diameter and 77mm filter thread, the 18mm matches the SP3 100mm lens, maintaining consistency within the series. And, of course, it keeps the T2.4 stop range, aligning seamlessly with the rest of the set.
Image Characteristics
The Cooke SP3 18mm T2.4 continues the legacy of the Cooke Panchro Classic FF lenses with its distinctive image characteristics. Each lens in the SP3 series, including the 18mm, is designed to echo the renowned sharpness and unique focus fall that have made the Panchro Classics so beloved. This means you can expect the same level of precision and depth of field that defines the series.
Intrigued by how the new 18mm lens would stack up, we took some sample shots to evaluate its performance in terms of flaring, sharpness, and overall image quality.
To Be Continued???
With the 18mm now part of the SP3 lineup, it gets us thinking about what Cooke might have up their sleeve next. As we mentioned earlier, the series has been full of exciting updates, and we’re eagerly awaiting the next surprise. What could it be? We’re all ears and ready for whatever comes next!
The 18mm SP3 will be priced at $4995. It will also be available as part of a ‘Six Set’ in a new case priced at $25995. Availability is October, but you can submit preorders now which will be filled as stock comes in.
As always, make sure you lens geeks check out the tech specs table below to see how the 18mm stacks up to the rest of the SP3 primes.
You can find more information about the 18mm and the entire SP3 line and pre-order them today from Duclos Lenses.
| 18mm | 25mm | 32mm | 50mm | 75mm | 100mm | |
| Max Aperture | T2.4 | T2.4 | T2.4 | T2.4 | T2.4 | T2.4 |
| Min. Aperture | T16 | T16 | T16 | T16 | T16 | T16 |
| Close Focus (in) | 3.14 | 5.5 | 8.8 | 15.5 | 27.1 | 26.1 |
| Focus rotation | 160° | 160° | 160° | 160° | 160° | 160° |
| Front Diameter | 82mm | 64mm | 64mm | 64mm | 64mm | 82mm |
| Weight | 688g | 575g | 520g | 500g | 520g | 690g |
| Filter Size (mm) | 77 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 77 |