Extra Information Very sad to let this Cooke MiniS4 / Speed Panchro 50mm f2.8 go but I've got a set of vintage speed panchros and this is the only minis4 I have, so time to clear out. Typically selling for around £6000 new if you can get them!
Confusingly Cooke MiniS4 Prime Lens were initially launched as Speed Panchros, but this caused much confusion so a few years later they changed to the minis4 name, same lenses though!
It's obviously the fabled Cooke look, and built like a tank. Loved shooting with it and the feel is legend. I got it mint condition from a company that never used it. I have also sadly hardly used it, hence selling.
The lens is in great working order, glass all clear and good, it's barely been used and kept well protected in storage case. Cooke lens cap and PL mount cover obviously included.
From B&H (where they sell for $7650 ex tax!)...
The 50mm T2.8 miniS4/i Cine Lens from Cooke features focus scales marked in feet and is one of a set of lightweight companions to Cooke's already established S4/i lenses. The miniS4i lenses feature an aperture range of T2.8 to T22, while maintaining the same world renowned Cooke image characteristics.
This 50mm prime lens features a PL mount, which makes it compatible with most commonly used professional film and digital cinema cameras. Color-matched to intercut with other Cooke lenses, this lens combines classic, hand-fitted construction with a linear iris, cam-style focus, and /i Technology. If you are interested in a more vintage look, Cooke has optional un-coated lenses that you can use to replace the coated optics in your miniS4/1.
Optical Design
The optics are designed to give maximum performance at full aperture with superior control of flare, distortion and spherical aberration.
/i Electronics
Contacts in the mount sync with /i compatible cameras and accessories, providing lens information on focusing distance, aperture and depth of field, hyperfocal distance, serial number, owner data, lens type and focal length in both meters and feet.
Color Balance
All Cooke miniS4/i prime lenses are color balanced to the Cook 5/i, S4/i, and Anamorphic/i lenses.
Aperture
All Cooke miniS4/i primes have a true T2.8 aperture and cover Super 35mm format.
Index Marks
Every index mark is labeled. More detailed markings allow for more detailed focus control.
Focus Movement
Academy Award-winning cam-style focus movement, coupled with the added benefit of a large lens barrel diameter, has allowed for an increased number of focus markings, particularly at close focus. Spherical aberration has been controlled throughout the range of focal lengths to eliminate compensation of changes in back focus with aperture. A four-point contact bearing provides a smooth, positive, backlash-free movement.
Focus Scaling
Large, clear numerals on both sides of the focus barrel enable your focus puller to work from either side of the lens without remarking or flipping the lens upside down.
Compatibility
All Cooke miniS4/i primes have a common fixed front diameter of 87mm, except for the 18mm which has a front diameter of 110mm. Each lens incorporates a focus drive gear of 121T x 0.8 mod and an iris drive gear of 119T x 0.8.
External Finish
A scratch resistant PTFE hard anodized finish is provided on all Cooke lenses, providing a durable, hard-wearing surface to meet the most demanding environmental conditions.
Iris
An eight-leaf linear module iris assembly is fitted into miniS4/i primes with an aperture range of T2.8 to T22.
The lens features an 87 mm front diameter for attaching matte box, filter ring, and add-on lens accessories.
You can purchase un-coated replacement optics for you lens, which will give your images a more vintage look. Please note that this is not a simple undertaking, but it is possible for authorized lens technicians to accomplish.
From Cooke on the name change! ...
“When we launched the Panchro by Cooke range in 2009 in order to bring the professional ‘Cooke Look’ to all film makers at an affordable cost, we were paying an affectionate tribute to the original Cooke Speed Panchro lenses built in the 1920s. It made sense to us to invoke a legendary Cooke brand name,” explains Les Zellan, Chairman and Owner, Cooke Optics. “However, we have become increasingly aware that the naming of our modern Panchros has caused some confusion in the industry, so in response to our customers’ feedback we have decided to rename them. Many people are calling them Mini S4’s anyway, because they provide the same high quality and benefits of the S4/i lenses, including the /i Technology sensor that captures valuable lens metadata, at a T2.8 stop.”
What we heard from the industry:
While many DPs prefer to specify Cooke lenses to take advantage of the Cooke look as well as the on-set usability and reliable operation, cost has sometimes been a barrier.
In addition, many purchasers of digital cameras like Red also want a full set of lenses at a realistic price. We also wanted to open up the opportunity to use Cooke lenses in risky situations such as on-board stunt work; lower costs lenses reduce rental and insurance costs.
Everything about the Mini S4/i range is identical to the Panchro by Cooke lenses, providing 18, 25, 32, 50, 75, 100 and 135mm focal lengths, with calibration and colour matching to the entire Cooke range and of course the famed Cooke Look that brings a warm, organic quality to both film and digital images.
The Panchro lens range to Mini S4/i name change is effective immediately. See Cooke Optics for more information. |
