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Lenses for a Digital Age
Cooke’s industry leading range of T1.4 high-speed, full frame, precision cine lenses.
A fully comprehensive, perfectly matched set consisting of 16 different focal lengths from 18mm to 350mm.*
All created to an exacting standard and precisely hand-crafted for exceptional quality and reliability.
Available in PL or LPL Mount.
The S8/i are cutting edge, state-of-the-art high speed full frame lenses motivated by feedback from cinematographers wanting to create more realistic and film-like images with spherical lenses for digital motion capture. An evolution of The Cooke Look, S8/i produces breathtakingly beautiful images with an almost organic feel.
With S8/i, Cooke has focussed on optimising contrast performance. Good resolution is of course vital with a modern lens but, crucially, human perception of resolution is tied to contrast
With a maximum aperture of T1.4 the S8/i FF lenses are amongst the very fastest produced for large format capture. Creative possibilities around depth of field and low light shooting become plentiful and accessible.
A balanced approach to sharpness and smooth focus fall off leads to clear subjects and smooth backgrounds with this separation creating a greater sense of depth in a 2D image. Whilst the depth of field employed by the cinematographer may be very narrow it is also forgiving – rolling through focus rather than “snapping”.
Under the body, S8/i FF is an all-spherical design which produces a near telecentric output of the light rays which is very efficient for digital imagers. Spherical elements hold their alignment better than aspheres making maintenance and servicing less complex.
Other benefits include smooth, spherical bokeh, free of onion or tree rings enabling cinematographers to create sensitive and emotional images with a high degree of dimensionality.
S8/i FF lenses offer superb and uniform performance from infinity to close focus. Similar minimum marked object distances across the range ensures smooth and beautiful close-ups are always possible and there is no image deterioration at closer distances.
When combined with the lenses’ T1.4 maximum aperture, incredibly intimate shots are possible – with subjects isolated within the frame for dramatic prominence and powerful connection.
For extreme close-ups and specialist macro work Cooke’s three way set of macro lenses perfectly complements the look of the S8/i FF with matching image circle, colour and performance.
S8/i FF utilise nine leaf irises for smooth edged bokeh along with optimal vignetting which gives symmetrical bokeh shape. Impressively the control of the optical design is such that the bokeh shape remains the same for all focal lengths.
Bokeh blossom beautifully – smooth and natural. They are round in the centre of frame and take on a cat’s eye oval shape when off-axis.
S8/i FF lenses are precise but never prescriptive and offer salvation in quality. They render beautiful images whilst being incredibly responsive to a cinematographer’s personal style.
Flat field imaging means distortions are limited and illumination is incredibly consistent across the whole range of focal plane distance. Flares are controlled but pleasing and focus breathing is minimised.
Lateral colour fringing is exceptionally well corrected and minimised inside of S8/i FF lenses to a near apochromatic level. There are no halo’s around bright objects that can otherwise become exaggerated – especially with digital capture.
Along with creating more pleasing images this also benefits productions employing LED walls and streamlines VFX pipelines.
S8/i FF comfortably cover an image circle of 46.3mm with exceptional illumination and minimal shading across the entire field.
Cinematographers can choose their sensor flavour based on taste rather than coverage as S8/i FF covers the latest cameras from many manufactures including Red Monstro, Sony Venice and Arri Alexa LF.
S8/i FF is the brainchild of lauded lens designer Iain Neil, Cooke’s Chief Optics Advisor. Neil has led a number of projects at Cooke, such as Anamorphic/i and has a long history of developing flagship cine lenses including the Panavision® Primo series.
As part of the S8 development process Neil undertook a huge study to ensure the lenses’ contrast performance is maximised to suit the actual resolution of the digital cameras of today and for many years into the future. Neil received the Gordon E. Sawyer Award – Oscar® Statuette in 2023 for his “substantial, extensive and innovative lens designs.”
Cooke lenses have captured countless iconic images over the past decades. With S8/i FF this aesthetic is now tuned for modern digital capture along with also delivering full frame coverage and a greater maximum aperture.
Cinematography by Kees van Oostrum
Directed by Sara Van Oostrum, cinematography by Daan Kramer.
Cinematography by Bill Bennet, ASC and Kees van Oostrum, ASC. All shots taken at T1.4.
Cinematography by Kees van Oostrum
Directed by Sara Van Oostrum, cinematography by Daan Kramer.
Cinematography by Bill Bennet, ASC and Kees van Oostrum, ASC. All shots taken at T1.4.
S8/i FF are proudly handmade at the Cooke factory in Leicester, UK.
Modern and traditional grinding and polishing techniques are combined to achieve the highest level of precision. Sophisticated thin film equipment and traditional cementing processes are utilised to ensure optimum coatings. Finally, lenses are meticulously assembled, exhaustively tested, checked and re-checked.
S8/i FF lenses are built to be tough, robust and work in the most demanding environments. They are extremely reliable and designed to be easily serviced and maintained for the very minimum of downtime.
S8/i FF lenses contain Cooke’s latest /i Technology. Data is relayed through the lens mount and a cable connector. Realtime readout includes focus and iris position and motion inertial data.
Each lens has a unique factory calibrated shading and distortion map which is also transmitted.
/i Technology offers incredible benefits for VFX heavy productions along with virtual production compatibility and benefits.
Designed in parallel as a coordinated set each focal length has precisely matching performance and character.
The majority of S8/i FF lenses have a common fixed front diameter of 104mm, with a focus drive gear of 140T x 0.8 mod and an iris drive gear of 134T x 0.8.
Focus and Iris mechanics are aligned across the set allowing for fast, smooth and accurate lens changes and to maintain focus and iris motor positions.
Impressive close focus along with engravings on both sides of the lens barrel.
Our Academy Award® winning cam-style focus movement, coupled with the benefit of a suitably large lens barrel diameter, allows for an increased number of focus markings. A four-point contact bearing also provides a smooth positive backlash-free movement.
Compact and easy to handle S8/i FF lenses compliment a wide variety of shooting situations such as Steadicam, gimbals and handheld work. Their durability and image aesthetics remain uncompromised despite their economical weight.
Every lens is coated with a scratch resistant PTFE hard anodised finish, which provides a durable, hard-wearing surface to meet the most demanding environmental conditions.
Cooke’s range of 1:1 Full Frame Macro Lenses are the perfect partner for S8/i FF.
“That’s what the S8s represent to me. They represent all of the best things about vintage lenses and all of the best things about modern lenses. It’s the closest out of all lenses that exist to bring everything into one package.”
“Based on my experience previously with Cooke and the Cooke Look aesthetic it literally was like an aha moment – the image just came to life when I put the S8s on…”
“Choosing Cooke S8/i was the natural choice because it gave us the ability to have a sharp image even at full aperture but also a pleasing focus fall-off that made the integration between the subject and the virtual background organic and realistic.”
“I’ve always been a Cooke fanboy and the Cooke S8 /i were the natural choice for this project, giving us full frame at a weight and lens speed that is useful creatively. You know where you are with the Cooke look, its consistent and pleasing.”
“We wanted to make this music video feel ‘film-like’ but still maintain a level of sharpness for the VFX to match within it too – the S8/i’s were perfect for this. The lenses all have T1.4 apertures across the board – so you have the extra stop if you need to open up, but then also have this this beautiful fall off that feels extremely organic and has lovely round and smooth bokeh – on a large format sensor it almost feels painterly.”
“The S8’s were a dream to work with, not only beautiful but practical too. I have and will continue to trust in Cooke, they never let me down!”
“The Cooke S8 lenses immediately stood out and had a beauty to them which felt rich and 3 dimensional, in addition to the smooth clarity and organic fall off which epitomises. The consistent nature of their size, weight and stop across this extensive set of primes saved me a lot of time on set which.”
“Cooke lenses are like precious superstar gems among our equipment. At the end of a shoot, they bring a touch of divinity to the work of a DOP.”
For over 100 years, Cooke has been at the centre of the filmmaking business, listening to the community of which we are a part. Starting with the Cooke triplet in 1893, we have become ingrained in the evolution of lenses and have been a key innovator in the history of motion pictures.
Cooke History
/i Technology is an open protocol designed by Cooke to enhance the filmmaking process by making equipment digitally compatible, streamlining both production and post.
i/ Technology
The Cooke factory, located in Leicester UK, possesses a unique ambiance which seamlessly blends contemporary techniques with age-old traditions and machinery. Fuelled by a team driven by passion, their unwavering commitment empowers Cooke to craft enduring products known for their exceptional quality and lasting for decades.
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