Cooke Optics has announced native Nikon Z mount support for its SP3 spherical primes and AP3 anamorphic primes, further expanding the company’s mirrorless lens ecosystem.
Since launching the SP3 series, Cooke has steadily broadened its native mount offerings beyond the standard Sony E configuration. Canon RF followed shortly after launch, with Leica L and Leica M joining the lineup. Nikon Z now rounds out support for nearly every major full-frame mirrorless platform used in professional production.
The addition has been anticipated by many SP3 owners, particularly as Nikon’s position in the cinema market has evolved over the past year.
Why Z Mount Matters
Nikon Z has become increasingly relevant for professional cinematography following Nikon’s acquisition of RED.
RED’s adoption of the Z mount across its latest camera systems, combined with Nikon’s continued investment in cinema-focused products, has transformed the mount from a photography-first platform into a legitimate option for high-end motion picture production. Lens manufacturers have taken notice, and Cooke is the latest to add native support.
The timing is also notable with Nikon’s recent compact ZR cinema camera. The SP3 series was designed from the outset as a lightweight, full-frame cinema prime for mirrorless cameras, making it a logical fit for smaller digital cinema systems where size and weight remain important considerations.
More Mount Options
One aspect of the SP3 system that often receives less attention than the optics themselves is Cooke’s approach to lens mounts.
Every SP3 lens ships in Sony E mount as standard, but Cooke also offers owners one complimentary mount for each lens purchased. Rather than requiring users to purchase separate conversion kits – which you can still do – the program allows owners to select an additional mount at no cost.
With today’s announcement, available mount options now include:
- Sony E
- Canon RF
- Nikon Z
- Leica L
- Leica M
It’s an uncommon offering within the cinema lens market and gives owners considerably more flexibility should their camera platform change over the life of the lenses.
An Expanding Platform
The Nikon Z announcement also reflects Cooke’s continued development of the SP3 platform.
Since its introduction, the series has grown through additional focal lengths, expanded mount compatibility, and, more recently, the introduction of the AP3 anamorphic series. Native Nikon Z support has been one of the more common requests from prospective users, particularly as Nikon’s cinema ambitions have accelerated following the RED acquisition.
Rather than treating the SP3 series as a fixed product line, Cooke has continued expanding the system alongside the mirrorless camera market itself.
Final Thoughts
Adding Nikon Z mount is a logical step for the SP3 and AP3 series given the direction of the professional cinema market.
While Canon RF was the clear priority during the initial rollout of additional mounts, Nikon’s expanding presence in digital cinema makes native Z support increasingly relevant for owner-operators, rental houses, and productions working within RED and Nikon ecosystems.
You can find the complete line of Cooke cinema lenses including the SP3 Primes and AP3 Anamorphic Primes and the corresponding SP3 Mount Kits over at Duclos Lenses. Support this site by choosing Duclos Lenses for all of your cinema lens needs!