Cooke Unveils New AP3 FF Anamorphic Lenses for Mirrorless Cameras

Cooke, a venerated name in the realm of cinematic optics, has expanded its offerings with the introduction of the AP3 FF anamorphic lens series. These innovative lenses are precisely engineered for full-frame mirrorless cameras, promising to bring a distinguished cinematic quality to contemporary video production workflows.

This new collection from Cooke not only extends its acclaimed anamorphic heritage to the mirrorless camera market but also addresses the evolving demands of modern filmmakers for compact, adaptable, and high-performance optical tools. The AP3 FF lenses are poised to deliver the distinctive visual characteristics long associated with anamorphic filmmaking, including compelling flares and organic focus transitions, while maintaining the optical clarity and reliability expected from a premium lens manufacturer.

Introducing the AP3 FF Lens Series: A New Era for Anamorphic Filmmaking on Mirrorless Platforms

Cooke's latest innovation, the AP3 FF anamorphic lens series, signifies a pivotal advancement for filmmakers utilizing full-frame mirrorless cameras. This new lineup is spearheaded by a trio of prime lenses: a 35mm T2.4, a 50mm T2.4, and an 85mm T2.4, each boasting a 1.5x squeeze factor. These lenses are meticulously crafted to ensure visual consistency across the set, offering a natural and aesthetically pleasing optical rendering. By default, the AP3 FF lenses are equipped with Sony E-mounts, yet their design incorporates interchangeable mount capabilities, allowing for compatibility with RF, L, and M mounts, which are offered as complimentary accessories upon order. This adaptability, combined with their lightweight and compact construction (ranging from 1.2 to 1.4 kilograms and 142 to 159 millimeters in length), makes them exceptionally well-suited for dynamic shooting scenarios, including handheld operation, thereby providing filmmakers with enhanced creative freedom and ergonomic ease.

Each lens in the AP3 FF series features a standardized 87mm front diameter, alongside unified 0.8 MOD gears and precise rotation angles for iris (79 degrees) and focus (160 degrees) rings, ensuring fluid and integrated workflow management. Cooke emphasizes that these lenses are specifically engineered to harness the inherent qualities of anamorphic cinematography, including the production of distinctive, elongated horizontal flares that possess remarkable depth and complexity. The consistency of these flare patterns across all three lenses allows for seamless visual storytelling. Furthermore, the lenses are designed to facilitate smooth and organic transitions between focus planes, exhibiting minimal focus breathing. Cooke intentionally preserves a degree of focus breathing, recognizing its potential as a creative instrument rather than a mere optical imperfection. While the lenses deliver exquisite bokeh—a testament to their ground-up design—they do not compromise on sharpness, particularly in the central frame. Cooke asserts that the AP3 lenses are "defined" where precision is paramount and "expressive everywhere else," offering a painterly rendition of out-of-focus elements that captivates the viewer without causing distraction. The impressionistic quality of the bokeh and its dappled character are consistently maintained across the entire T-stop and focal length spectrum, underscoring Cooke's commitment to delivering a rich and immersive cinematic experience.

Pricing, Availability, and the Unmistakable Cooke Aesthetic

The highly anticipated Cooke AP3 FF 1.5x Anamorphic primes, known for their premium craftsmanship, are positioned at a price point reflecting their exceptional quality. Individual lenses are available for purchase at $7,750 each. For filmmakers seeking a comprehensive solution, Cooke offers a three-lens bundle, encompassing all primes in the series, at a consolidated price of $22,250, providing a total savings of $1,000. These lenses are accessible through major photographic and video equipment retailers, including B&H Photo Video and KEH.com, where both new and used options may be explored.

Cooke's philosophy for the AP3 FF series centers on delivering a controlled anamorphic character coupled with the clarity and reliability demanded by today's filmmaking industry. The company stresses that anamorphic format filmmaking requires careful consideration and patience, rewarding those who embrace its unique visual language beyond mere novelty. The AP3 series is a direct manifestation of this philosophy, translating Cooke's extensive optical legacy into a compact and agile form factor optimized for modern mirrorless camera systems. These lenses are meticulously balanced and purposefully designed to imbue footage with the profound cinematic depth and distinctive character synonymous with the Cooke brand. By offering a harmonious blend of crisp focus, ethereal bokeh, and iconic anamorphic flares, the AP3 FF lenses empower filmmakers to achieve a visually rich and emotionally resonant narrative, solidifying Cooke's enduring influence in the art of motion picture photography.