The award-winning Cooke S4 primes were designed and developed in close technical collaboration with industry professionals. They are colour matched and compatible with Cooke 18-100mm T3.0 and 25-250mm T3.7 zooms, 15-40mm, T2.0 CXX and SK4 16mm lenses.

Cooke S4 optics offer superb optical and mechanical performance, control of flare, distortion, veiling glare and spherical aberrations at full aperture. The cam focus mechanism allows smooth focus adjustments. Modular construction facilitates servicing and maintenance.

Technology

All our S4 primes (and the CXX zoom) are now supplied equipped with /i technology, since February 2005. S4/i lenses are designed for all professional film and electronic cameras with PL mount. /i technology provides cinematographers and operators with essential information on lens settings, focus distance, aperture and depth of field, hyperfocal distance, serial number, owner data, lens type and focal length in metric and feet measurements. For zooms, zoom position is displayed.

Soft FX 65 accessory

The Soft FX 65 accessory is designed for S4/i 65mm and 75mm lenses (via the Cooke 75mm adapter ring). The design of this accessory is based on Cooke's PS945 soft focus lens for 4x5 large format photography. You can see the effect in the example photographs taken with the PS945 lens. The effect is high resolution with an impressive light halo -- subtle, but more pronounced at full aperture at T2, becoming less pronounced when stopping down. (T2 to T4 effect with the 65mm lens; T2 to T5.6 with the 75mm lens.)

Cooke S4/i lens awards

1998 Cinec Technical Excellence Award, Germany
1999 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Scientific and Technical Award for optical and mechanical design
2000 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Technical Development
2001 Two Queen's Awards for Enterprise - International Trade and Innovation, England
2001 Winner, Exporter of the Year, International Business Awards 2001, Export Times and Trade Partners UK
2001 Winner, Product Innovation, International Business Awards 2001, Export Times and Trade Partners UK
2007 NAB2007 Product Premiere Award – S4/i System



- Maximum format coverage -- 30mm diameter (Super 35mm format)

- Focus scales -- Two opposite focus scales - metric or feet. Scales marked from infinity to minimum focus distance.

- Focus gear -- 140 teeth 0.8 metric module x 6.0mm wide x 98mm from image plane. 140 teeth 0.8 module x 6.0mm wide x 99mm from image plane (300mm)

- Iris scales -- Two opposite linear T-scales - full and third stops marked.

- Iris gear -- 134 teeth 0.8 metric module x 4.0mm wide 79.5mm from image plane.

- Front-mounted internal filter -- Internal thread for M105 x 0.75 pitch filter adapter (not applicable for 12mm and 14mm). M120 x 1.0 pitch (150mm). M131 x 1.0 pitch (180mm, 300mm)

Key features

Optical design -- The optics are designed to deliver maximum performance at full aperture with superior control of flare, distortion and spherical aberration.

Electronics -- Accessible via the PL mount contacts that synchronise with /i compatible cameras.

Colour balance -- All S4/i primes are colour balanced, matched and compatible with Cooke 5/i, miniS4/i and Anamorphic/i.

Aperture -- All S4/i primes have a true T2 aperture and cover the Super 35mm format, except for the 300mm (2.8).

Index marks -- Each index mark is labelled. More detailed markings allow more precise focus control.

Focus movement -- Our Academy Award®-winning cam focus system, combined with the additional advantage of a large lens barrel diameter, has enabled an increase in the number of focus marks, particularly in close focus. Spherical aberration has been controlled across the entire focal range to eliminate compensation for back focus shifts with aperture. A four-point contact bearing ensures smooth, positive, backlash-free movement.

Camera mounts -- Reinforced Cooke PL mount with /i technology contacts.

Focus graduation -- Large clear numbers on both sides of the focus barrel benefit the focus puller when shooting in challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, the entrance pupil position is engraved on the lens.

Compatibility -- All Cooke S4/i primes have a common fixed front diameter of 110mm, (except for 12mm, 150mm, 180mm, 300mm) with a 140T x 0.8 mod focus gear and a 114T x 0.8 iris gear

External finish -- A hard PTFE anodised scratch-resistant finish is applied to all Cooke lenses, providing a durable, wear-resistant surface to meet the most demanding environmental conditions.

Iris -- An eight-blade linear iris assembly is mounted in the S4/i primes with an aperture range of T2 to T22. (Except 300mm)

Weight/size ratio -- The lenses are designed for all shooting applications, including handheld and Steadicam, offering a comfortable balance ratio with the latest compact cameras.

Reliability and service -- The S4/i primes are designed to meet a market requirement for totally reliable performance with minimal downtime.