The Cooke Varotal/i FF 19-40mm is a full-frame wide-angle cine zoom with a constant T2.9 aperture and the familiar Cooke rendering. It offers natural colour, flattering skin tones and smooth tonal transitions, with minimal breathing, chromatic aberration and distortion. Cooke /i technology records detailed lens data, while the wide zoom range gives useful flexibility for moving camera work.
Overview
- Full-frame coverage with a 46.3mm image circle.
- Constant T2.9 aperture throughout the 19-40mm zoom range.
- Familiar Cooke rendering with natural colour, flattering skin tones and smooth tonal transitions.
- Designed with an almost complete absence of focus breathing, chromatic aberration and distortion.
- Cooke /i technology records focus, iris and zoom position, inertial data, shading maps and distortion data.
- Optical performance designed for 8K capture and beyond.
- Nine-blade iris designed to match the rendering of Cooke S7/i FF and S8/i FF lenses.
Use Cases
- Wide-angle coverage for drama, commercial and documentary productions.
- Steadicam and moving-camera work where the ability to reframe without changing lenses is useful.
| Focal Length | Aperture | Close focus | Front Diameter | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19-40mmmm | T2.9 | 32 cm | 1’1″ | 114 mm | 3.5 Kg |
Use it as a wide coverage lens.
The 19-40mm range covers establishing frames, interiors and closer moving shots without requiring frequent lens changes.
Take advantage of the close working distance.
With a close-focus distance of 320mm, the lens is useful for moving close to a subject while retaining a wider view of the surrounding environment.
Keep the aperture consistent while reframing.
The constant T2.9 aperture allows zoom adjustments without an exposure change, which is helpful during live reframing or repeated moving shots.
Use /i data when continuity matters.
Recording focus, iris, and focal-length information can support VFX, lens mapping, and repeatable setups across multiple shooting days.
Balance the camera carefully.
Although relatively compact for a full-frame T2.9 zoom, it still benefits from a bridge plate and proper lens support, particularly for Steadicam, shoulder-mounted or motorised builds.
Control unwanted flare when needed.
Use a matte box, eyebrow or side flag around strong practical sources when you want to protect contrast. Remove them when a softer Cooke flare suits the scene.