Cooke SP3 Primes: A New Line of Compact Cine Primes for Mirrorless Camera Systems

Cooke SP3 Primes: A New Line of Compact Cine Primes for Mirrorless Camera Systems

Cooke is on a roll with their latest product rollouts and the new SP3 are no exception. Named after the classic Speed Panchro primes from Cooke, it’s safe to say this is the latest version of that concept. The”3″ in SP3 indicating it’s the third line to inherit what created nearly 75 years ago. The new set will consist of five prime lenses in an all-new super compact, lightweight housing aimed at mirrorless camera systems.

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Cooke Begins Shipping S8/i Full Frame Primes

Cooke Begins Shipping S8/i Full Frame Primes

Cooke recently announced their latest endeavour – the S8/i Full Frame Primes. These new lenses will be their flagship set of cinema primes with seven focal lengths available immediately and an additional nine in development bringing the set to 16 focal lengths once completed.

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Cooke Announces New Varotal/i Full Frame Zooms & Panchro/i Classic

Cooke Announces New Varotal/i Full Frame Zooms & Panchro/i Classic

Cooke Optics has announced the launch of two exciting additions to its expanding range of Full Frame lenses. Two new Varotal/i FF zoom lenses bring leading-edge modern design and materials to this historic line of zoom lenses that were first seen in 1971, while the extensive Panchro/i Classic FF range offers the beloved vintage Speed Panchro look for full frame sensors.

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TLS Partners with Duclos Lenses to Support U.S. Customers

TLS Partners with Duclos Lenses to Support U.S. Customers

Famed lens rehousing organization, True Lens Service, based in the UK has had great success re-purposing vintage cinema lenses for a modern, demanding production environment. Their mechanical design and craftsmanship is second to none which makes for some very desirable combinations of old glass in new housings. In order to keep their lenses working diligently and to support their customers who live and work in the U.S, TLS has chosen Duclos Lenses to manage the repair and maintenance of their lenses to the highest standards.

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Something New Is Cooke-ing…

Something New Is Cooke-ing…

Cooke is keeping up with the trend by adding large format anamorphic lenses to its esteemed lineup.
After enthusiastic reception for the Cooke S7/i’s, this is certainly the right step forward.
First focal lengths to come will be 40mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm, followed by 32mm, 135mm, and 180mm – all T2.3 with 110mm fronts. Continue reading “Something New Is Cooke-ing…”

The Ultimate Anamorphic Lens Test

The Ultimate Anamorphic Lens Test

Yep. We did it again. Last year the folks at ShareGrid, Old Fast Glass, a brilliant, talented crew, and myself came together to test a wide variety of vintage lenses to give the cinematography world a sort of sampling, flight, if you will, of the various vintage lenses and what sort of characteristics you can expect with when using them. It’s been shared thousands of times and utilized in who knows how many pre-production meetings to determine the visual aesthetics as it pertains to lenses for a specific project.

So what’s next… ANAMORPHIC! The subject that baffles so many with a shroud of mystery. Optics designed to provide a wider field of view when bound by a specific format, fashioned by unsung geniuses from around the world – some a shining beacon of optical engineering superiority, and others a trophy of intentional flaw for the sake of introducing artifacts and characteristics that, to the average viewer, carries a subconscious nostalgia, lending honesty and legitimacy. But most importantly… They’re beautiful! Continue reading “The Ultimate Anamorphic Lens Test”

S7/i Full Frame Plus: Cooke’s Answer to Vista Vision

S7/i Full Frame Plus: Cooke’s Answer to Vista Vision

It’s no surprise that Cooke is joining the Full Frame revolution. They’ve cornered the market on stylized, romantic cinema glass and now they’re taking aim at the Vista Vision crowd to ensure the Cooke Look is carried over to just about any format out there. The new S7/i primes will cover an image circle up to 46.31mm which is slightly larger than standard Full Frame (hence the “PLUS” in the product name). Just ahead of NAB 2017, let’s take a look at the next big addition to the Vista Vision lens market from Cooke. Continue reading “S7/i Full Frame Plus: Cooke’s Answer to Vista Vision”

How do we decide the value of a lens?

How do we decide the value of a lens?

 A popular topic of discussion these days is whether or not certain lenses are worth their huge price tags. Moreover is there a justified correlation between a lens’ price and how “good” it is. It’s an apt time to continue this conversation since there are more lenses to choose from than ever. Also, there are some seriously high-performing cine lenses at price points that are within reach of so many filmmakers. The number of “affordable,” full frame, super speed, cinema lenses alone is incredible (Canon CN-E, Sigma Cine, Tokina Vista, Zeiss CP.2, Rokinon XEEN). It’s an exciting time to be a DP. It can also be an overwhelming time to be a DP especially if you are an aspiring cinematographer who is just scratching the surface of all the lens options out there. Continue reading “How do we decide the value of a lens?”

Ever Wonder How Cooke Lenses Are Made?

Ever Wonder How Cooke Lenses Are Made?

When Cooke advertises their lenses as “hand built in the UK”, they’re not joking. As someone who’s been lucky enough to experience the Cooke factory first-hand, I can confirm that every single lens is hand built by skilled technicians. This video shot by Florin Gabor back in 2013 takes us on a nice tour through the factory and shows a glimpse of each step of the lens manufacturing process. Continue reading “Ever Wonder How Cooke Lenses Are Made?”

The Ultimate Vintage Lens Test

The Ultimate Vintage Lens Test

Over the course of two days, in a studio in Burbank, California, a band of self-proclaimed “lens geeks” set out to complete the ultimate vintage cinema lens test. The project first began as a collaboration between ShareGrid’s Brent Barbano, and Duclos Lenses’ own Matthew Duclos. Initially, Barbano and Duclos had been planning to complete a rather small-scale lens test with the industry’s most popular and widely used vintage lenses. However, upon approaching director and cinematographer Mark Lafleur to ask him to participate, they discovered that he too was getting ready to carry out his own vintage lens test. The two sides decided to join forces, and before long a whole team was assembled. With Lafleur and Barbano as Directors and Executive Producers, and Duclos as Lens Consultant, Kyle Stryker was brought on as Director of Photography. The team also came to include Camera Assistants Matthew Borek and Michelle Diaz, and Nick Ferriero as Editor. Continue reading “The Ultimate Vintage Lens Test”

Cooke Brings Back The Panchro Primes

Cooke Brings Back The Panchro Primes

Vintage lenses have been a major trend in the motion picture industry and Cooke is in a prime position to take advantage of their unrivaled heritage. They’ve just announced they’ll be reviving the classic Cooke Speed Panchro line of prime lenses that were first made in the 20’s and ran all the way through the 60’s. Let’s take a look at what information is currently available from Cooke. Continue reading “Cooke Brings Back The Panchro Primes”