The Cooke S4 lenses are a highly sought-after set of professional cinema primes. They are known for delivering the distinctive “Cooke Look,” which is characterised by warm, natural skin tones and a smooth focus fall-off. With a fast T2 aperture across the set, they perform well in low-light conditions. Their robust mechanical design and consistent colour rendition make them a trusted choice for a wide range of film and television productions.
Overview
- Signature “Cooke Look” with warm, natural skin tones
- Fast T2 aperture across most of the set
- Excellent control of flare and spherical aberrations
- Consistent colour rendition across all focal lengths
- Robust mechanical construction for professional use
- Smooth, cam-type focus mechanism for precise focus pulls
- Features /i Technology for lens metadata (focus, iris, etc.)
| Focal Length | Aperture | Close focus | Front Diameter | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14mm | T2 | 23cm | 9″ | 110mm | 2.2 Kg |
| 18mm | T2 | 23cm | 9″ | 110mm | 1.7 Kg |
| 21mm | T2 | 23cm | 9″ | 110mm | 2.0 Kg |
| 25mm | T2 | 25cm | 9″ | 110mm | 1.6 Kg |
| 32mm | T2 | 33cm | 1′ | 110mm | 1.8 Kg |
| 40mm | T2 | 45cm | 1’4″ | 110mm | 1.5 Kg |
| 50mm | T2 | 55cm | 1’7″ | 110mm | 1.5 Kg |
| 65mm | T2 | 70cm | 2’3 | 110mm | 1.6 Kg |
| 75mm | T2 | 80cm | 2’5″ | 110mm | 1.8 Kg |
| 100mm | T2 | 95cm | 3 | 110mm | 2.0 Kg |
| 135mm | T2 | 85cm | 2’7″ | 110mm | 2.3 Kg |
Embrace the “Cooke Look”
The S4s are chosen for their unique aesthetic. Don’t be afraid to shoot wide open at T2 to get that soft, slightly romantic look and pleasing bokeh. They are often a great choice for shooting faces and natural skin tones.
Leverage /i Technology
If you are using a camera that supports it (like the Venice 2 or an ARRI), the /i Technology will automatically embed crucial lens data into your footage. This can be a huge help in post-production for VFX work or for simply referencing focus and aperture information.
Plan Around a Consistent T2
With a consistent T2 maximum aperture across the set, you can light your scene knowing that you can swap between focal lengths without having to adjust your exposure.
Trust the Colour Match
The S4s are colour-matched across the set, meaning you can mix and match different focal lengths in a scene without worrying about colour shifts. This can simplify your workflow in post-production.
Manage Lens Flares
While the S4s have good flare control, they are not completely sterile. When shooting into a light source, you’ll get a beautiful, classic flare that can be used creatively to add character to your image.