Cooke Optics

‘Nayad’ is the latest short feature on our Shot on Cooke showcase. This tense horror film follows two men who encounter a solitary witch in her home. Cinematographer Mukul Verma required lenses that would perform well in low light for the film’s menacing theme. He chose the Cooke SP3 primes paired with his Canon C70, finding them to be the ideal combination for the challenging lighting setup. The team has graciously reviewed the SP3 lenses, sharing their insights and experiences from the shoot. Watch ‘Nayad’ and explore the behind-the-scenes footage and a comprehensive review of the Cooke SP3 lenses on our website. Find the link to watch here: https://bit.ly/4eR6dc4 #cookelook #cooke #shortfilm #cookeSP3 #cinematography #filmmaking #shotoncooke

‘All We Imagine as Light’ won the acclaimed Grand Prix at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Split into two parts, the film follows two roommates as they navigate their unique relationships in the vibrant city of Mumbai. Cinematographer Ranabir Das chose Cooke S4/i lenses to vividly bring this story to life. We had the pleasure of speaking with Das about his experience using these lenses for the film. You can read the full article by following the link here: https://bit.ly/4eJdI4N #cooke #cookes4 #cannesfilmfestival #cannes #cinematography #filmmaking #cookelook

‘All We Imagine as Light’ won the acclaimed Grand Prix at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Split into two parts, the film follows two roommates as they navigate their unique relationships in the vibrant city of Mumbai. Cinematographer Ranabir Das chose Cooke S4/i lenses to vividly bring this story to life. We had the pleasure to speak with Das about his experience using these lenses for the film. You can read the full article by following the link here: https://bit.ly/4eJdI4N   #cooke #cookes4 #cannesfilmfestival #cannes #cinematography #filmmaking #cookelook

Using focus in a unique way can allow the cinematographer to emphasise specific elements within a scene. This can be achieved with perspective-controlling lenses, such as macro lenses, or through the use of specialised filters. These methods offer an intimate perspective, allowing us to deeply connect with a character’s experience. Macro lenses can reveal intricate details, adding intensity or depth to each shot. You can preview unique focus here, part of our London gallery. To book a visit to the gallery, follow the link here: https://bit.ly/49Wc8tE #cooke #cinematography #filmmaking #cookelook #focus #macrolens

Manesh Madhavan is a Cinematographer who primarily works in the South Indian film industry and Bollywood. Many of his works have gained international acclaim and he has twice won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography in 2017 and 2022. We had the pleasure of speaking to Manesh about his latest feature film ‘Nadanna Sambhavam', and his experience using Cooke Panchro/i Classic FF and Varotal/i FF zoom lenses. “So happy to work with the all-new full frame version of Panchro/i Classic FF, based on one of the most influential lenses in the film history, Speed Panchro. Another excitement is working with wonderful Cooke FF Varotal zooms. Cooke Panchro/i Classic FF were the main prime lenses we used for the film. Also, I used 30-95mm as well as 85-215mm Vaortal/i FF zooms. It’s going very well with Panchros. Super happy with the results. Also it’s not very heavy. I used it in Jimmy Jib and taken many shots. Added an extra motor for zooming and able to use full range of zoom. It’s quite fast also. Mostly I used aperture 4 or 3.5. But in extreme situations I used full open i.e 2.9 and it came out nicely.” Thank you, Manesh! #cooke #cinematography #panchro #filmmaking #varotal

The original Cooke Speed Panchro series has long been a favourite amongst filmmakers. The lens series was most recently revitalised with the Cooke Panchro/i Classics, delivering the iconic look whilst integrating modern technology. Read our in-depth article about the design philosophy behind these lenses and see examples of contemporary cinematographers using them for their work. Link to the article is here: https://bit.ly/3RCk4cA #cooke #cookelook #panchro #panchroiclassic #cinematography #filmmaking

One of the highlights of Cine Gear Expo this year was Digital Cinema Society's ‘Cine Lens event’. Chris D'Anna, General Manager of the Cooke Creative Space in Burbank participated in the panel discussion. If you missed the event, you can check out the video below for insights into the conversation on all things cine glass. Link to the video here: https://bit.ly/3VvKaij

The Cooke SP3 mirrorless prime lenses proved to be ideal for Cinematographer David Spearing to capture P!nk’s Summer Carnival Tour. Paired with his Sony FX6, the SP3s aided in keeping his rig lightweight whilst maintaining a cinematic look. The SP3s excelled in diverse lighting conditions, making them the perfect choice for Spearing to shoot the tour. You can read more about David Spearing’s experience and watch some of the tour footage via this link: https://bit.ly/45uVwHU #cooke #cookesp3 #mirrorless #cinematography #sonyfx6

The seventh instalment of the franchise, ‘Rise of the Footsoldier’ is the latest feature on our Shot on Cooke Showcase. Set in 1990s Soho, the film follows protagonist Tate on his mission to avenge his loyal foot soldier. Cinematographer James Buter chose Cooke Anamorphic/i 2x S35 SF lenses for their ‘perfect balance’ of a classic anamorphic look without distortion. Read about James Butler’s full experience using these lenses and preview the film by following the link here: https://bit.ly/3VvI7ej #cooke #shotoncooke #anamorphic #specialflare #cinematography

Dividing the field of view into multiple planes of sharp focus is a technique known as split-field focus. This allows the cinematographer to maintain a narrow depth of field if desired, creating the illusion of deep focus. This is achieved by using a split-field diopter in front of the lens in real-time. The result is unique; it can create a sense of discomfort or tension as the viewer can feel unsure where to look. As more of the scene is revealed, the cinematographer can utilise this to unveil the emotions or experience of more than one character.   You can preview split-field focus here, part of our London Gallery exhibition. To book a visit to the gallery, follow the link here: https://bit.ly/49Wc8tE #cooke #focus #filmmaking #cinematography #diopter