Cooke Optics, the renowned brand known for its ultra-expensive professional cinema lenses, has introduced a new wide-angle lens for Sony E and Canon RF systems. Like other lenses in this Cooke line, the new Cooke SP3 18mm T2.4 has an optimized design for mirrorless cameras, which provides the image of the famous Cooke Speed Panchros cinema lenses. However, the new compact cinema lens cannot be called budget.
The company made a surprising announcement about this line a year ago. Cooke, known for producing high-end cinema lenses typically rented out, has now decided to enter the advanced mirrorless camera market. The new cinema lenses are partially inspired by the legendary Speed Panchros.
The Cooke SP3 series features interchangeable mounts. The lenses come with a Sony E-Mount as standard, with an RF-Mount coming soon. An L-Mount is also available as an optional accessory.
All six focal lengths in the series have a constant T2.4 aperture and come with a choice of user-interchangeable mounts. Similar to the Speed Panchros, the design of these lenses focuses on being compact, lightweight, and durable. The company also plans for them to be used with drones.
Although the SP3 Prime Lenses are marketed as Speed Panchros-based lenses, their optical design differs. Cooke optimized these lenses both optically and mechanically specifically for mirrorless cameras.
The SP3 also features specialized cinematic optical coatings that are said to provide control over excessive flare. All lenses have a 9-blade aperture and 1/4-20″ threads for mounting.
This series of lenses includes a dual focus scale, and the design combines the focus and aperture mechanisms throughout the kit. This allows you to quickly switch lenses while keeping the focus and aperture motors in the same positions.
Price and release date
Although Cooke makes these lenses for mirrorless hybrid cameras, they remain premium products from the brand. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect a budget-friendly price.
You can pre-order the Cooke SP3 18mm T2.4 lens on Bhphotovideo.com for $4,970. A complete set of six lenses, which comes with a durable carrying case, costs $25,995.
The new Cooke SP3 18mm T2.4 targets users of mirrorless hybrid cameras. It pairs well with popular models such as the Sony FX6, Sony FX9, Sony Venice, Sony Venice 2, Canon EOS R5C, Canon EOS C70, RED Komodo, RED Komodo-X, and others.
The SP3s are very lightweight lenses, weighing between 500g and 690g including the mount. It makes them ideal for use with smaller mirrorless hybrids, as well as for use on gimbals and drones, Cooke again points out.
Cooke SP3 18mm T2.4 specifications
- Focal Length: 18mm
- Lens Mount: Sony E, Canon RF
- Lens Format Coverage: Full Frame
- Maximum Aperture: T2.4
- Minimum Aperture: T16
- Interchangeable Mount: Yes
- Lens Format Coverage: Full Frame
- Image Circle: 43.3 mm
- Angle of View: Full Frame Diagonal: 99.72° / Super 35 Diagonal: 81.65°
- Focus Scales: Metric, Imperial
- Filter Thread: 77 mm x 0.75
- Minimum Focus Distance: 3.14″ / 79.73 mm
- Diaphragm Blades: 9
- Image Stabilization: No
- Gear Standard: Focus: 0.8 MOD / Iris: 0.8 MOD
- Gear Rotation: Focus: 160° / Iris: 78°
- Electronic Communication: Yes
- Coatings: Multi-Coating
- Diameter: 82 mm x 109 mm
- Weight: 1.5 lb / 688 g
The mirrorless camera market itself, as well as compact cinema cameras, will soon receive a new generation of devices. Canon announced the full-frame compact cinema camera EOS C80 earlier this month. It features a full-frame sensor capable of recording 6K (the same sensor as the one in the high-end Canon EOS C400 cinema camera), triple base ISO, Canon’s most advanced autofocus, 4K at 120 fps, and support for new codecs: XF-AVC S and XF-HEVC S. The price of the Canon EOS C80 is $ 5,499.
Sony is likely to announce a new generation of cinema cameras. Many view the model as the successor to the Sony FX9. The company will likely present the camera in early 2025.
