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

Strengthening full-frame imagery options

Cooke adds to the full-frame family with two Varotal/i FF zoom lenses and the Panchro/i Classic FF range. The new zooms enable a complete suite of Cooke full-frame spherical lenses, while the Panchro/i Classic FF line fulfills the demand for a full-frame classic look. Thus, Cooke expands its full-frame options that till now consisted of the S7/i and the Anamorphic/i. With the launch of the Varotal/i FF zooms and Panchro/i Classic FF, cinematographers have much more choices in case they’re eager for the “Cooke Look” derived from their large format cameras.

Varotal/i T2.9 FF zooms

The Varotal/i T2.9 zoom lenses cover all full-frame sensors and are matched in resolution, color, and fall-off to the Cooke S7/i range, thus providing a complete suite of Cooke full-frame spherical lenses. The focal lengths of the zoom lenses are 30-95mm and 85-215mm respectively. The mounts can be chosen as either PL or LPL at the time of order. Tim Pugh, CEO of Cooke Optics said, “Fifty years after the launch of the first Varotal lenses, we are proud to bring these new Varotal zooms to our customers. They are now able to choose an entire color-matched Cooke line, complete with the Cooke Look, for their full-frame productions.”

‘Cook Look’: Warmth texture and beautiful skin tones

Like all modern Cooke lenses, the Varotal/i zoom lenses include /i Technology to record invaluable lens data, and are optimized to capture the warmth texture and beautiful skin tones which are the hallmarks of the famed Cooke Look. The lenses are designed for all shooting applications, including handheld and Steadicam, providing a comfortable balance ratio with the latest digital cinema cameras.

Fifty years after the launch of the first Varotal lenses, we are proud to bring these new Varotal zooms to our customers. They are now able to choose an entire color-matched Cooke line, complete with the Cooke Look, for their full-frame productions.

Tim Pugh, CEO of Cooke Optics

Panchro/i Classic FF

The Panchro/i Classic FF range offers full-frame filmmakers the ability to capture the classic Panchro Look, as well as the Cooke Look, in their full-frame productions. The focal lengths 18mm, 21mm, 25mm, 27mm, 32mm, 40mm, and 50mm have been specially redesigned to fill full-frame image circles. The 65mm MACRO, 75mm, 100mm, 135mm, and 152mm in the standard Panchro/i Classic range were already capable of filling a full-frame image circle, so no optical or mechanical alterations have been made for these focal lengths. Additional FF scale covers are available for 65mm MACRO upwards if required to harmonize rental fleets.

‘Controlling’ the flare

The optics are designed to give maximum performance at full aperture with superior control of flare, distortion, and spherical aberration. Cooke’s Academy Award-winning cam-style focus movement coupled with the added benefit of a large lens barrel diameter, allows for an increased number of focus markings, particularly at close focus. Every focus mark is individually calibrated and engraved on both sides of the focus barrel. Like the standard Panchro/i Classic prime lenses, the FF lenses are color balanced, color-matched, and compatible with all Cooke lenses. They also feature /i Technology.

Price and availability

The Varotal/i FF zoom lenses and the Panchro/i Classic FF range are available for pre-order now and can be seen at Camerimage on November 13-20, 2021. The price for the 30-95mm is $53,900 and the 85-215mm is $54,900. The price for the Panchro/i Classic FF is in the range of $14,000 each (for focal lengths 18mm-50mm). This is the pricing for the Americas Region and presented in US Dollars.

Summary

The full-frame Varotal/i Zooms and Panchro/i Classic are brand new lenses. Thus, there’s no sample footage for now. We’ll update the article (or make another one) presenting their imaging capabilities. Curious to explore the contribution of these lenses to large format cinematography.