What we heard from the industry

While many cinematographers prefer to specify Cooke lenses to take advantage of the Cooke look as well as ease of use on set and reliable operation, cost has sometimes been a barrier. Additionally, many digital camera buyers such as Red also want a complete set of lenses at a realistic price.

We also wanted to open up the possibility of using Cooke lenses in risky situations such as onboard stunts; less expensive lenses reduce rental and insurance costs.

S4 quality deserves the S4 name

Our objective was to offer a smaller and lighter lens that provides the same resolution, optical quality and reliability as the S4/i, but at a lower price. We decided that the lenses should be equally suitable for shooting film and digital images up to and beyond a 4K resolution pipeline.

Additionally, the lenses include /i technology, providing lens data per frame for downstream post-production. Like the S4/i lenses, the miniS4/i are designed for motion picture photography and they do not breathe.

The lenses are one stop slower than the S4/i, which allows them to be smaller and lighter.

All Cooke lenses are colour matched. This means that miniS4/i and S4/i lenses can be mixed on a shoot with confidence that the images will match.

The miniS4/i lenses (T2.8 to T22 aperture) incorporate everything today's filmmakers demand: smaller and lighter lenses that deliver the same resolution, optical quality and reliability as the S4/i lenses at a T2.8 speed. With the speed of new digital cameras, T2.8 is the new economical T2.0. The Mini S4/i are interchangeable with S4/i and 5/i lenses for shooting film and digital images up to and beyond 4K resolution. Current Mini S4/i focal lengths are 18, 21, 25, 32, 40, 50, 65, 75, 100 and 135mm.

Technology

All our miniS4/i lenses are supplied with /i technology, and are designed for all professional PL mount film cameras, both film and electronic. The /i technology provides cinematographers and camera operators with vital information about lens settings, focus distance, aperture and depth of field, hyperfocal distance, serial number, owner data, lens type and focal length in both metric and feet measurements. For zooms, zoom position is displayed.

Maximum format coverage -- 33.54mm diameter (New Epic S35mm format)

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

Focus drive gear -- 121 teeth metric 0.8 module x 5.0mm wide x 101mm from image plane.

Iris scales -- Two opposing linear T scales - whole and third stops marked.

Iris drive gear -- 119 teeth metric 0.8 module x 2.5mm wide x 85mm from image plane.

Screw filter -- M82 x 0.75 (25mm - 135mm)


Features


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

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

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

Aperture -- All miniS4/i lenses have a true T2.8 aperture and cover Super 35mm format.

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

Focus movement -- Our Academy Award® winning cam focus movement, 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 mechanical back focus changes with aperture. A four-point contact bearing provides smooth and positive movement without play.

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

Focus -- The large clear numbers on both sides of the focus ring are beneficial for the focus puller when shooting in difficult lighting conditions.

Compatibility -- All Cooke miniS4/i lenses, except the 18mm, have a common fixed front diameter of 87mm, with a 121T x 0.8 mod focus drive gear and a 119T x 0.8 iris drive gear.

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

Iris -- An eight-blade linear iris module is installed in the miniS4/i lenses with an aperture range from T2.8 to T22.

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

Reliability and service -- The miniS4/i lenses are designed to meet market requirements for completely reliable performance with minimum downtime.