Cooke Optics has announced that it now offers uncoated front elements for its S4/i series. The uncoated front elements offer more choices to cinematographers, with lower contrast, milkier shadows, flares, streaks and other aberrations that give a ‘vintage’ look.
The Cooke S4/i series currently features 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 25, 27, 32, 35, 40, 50, 65, 75, 100, 135, 150, 180 and 300 mm. Uncoated S4/i front elements can be ordered individually for any or all focal lengths.
“This is a practical and affordable way of giving cinematographers two choices for each S4/i lens, depending on their storytelling choices,” said Les Zellan, chairman and owner, Cooke Optics.
Existing owners and rental houses can have the front elements swapped by trained rental house lens technicians. Light loss is approximately 10 percent, so depending on the lens the maximum T-stop is around T2.2 with the uncoated front. The lenses may need to be re-shimmed or the focus scales shifted to correct for a slight difference. Since the front element is unprotected, it may discolor or stain over time.
Cooke miniS4/i elements are also available uncoated.