News

Hugo provides a series of firsts for Cooke Optics

Leicester, UK - 30 August 2011

Cooke Optics, the premier manufacturer of precision lenses for the motion picture industry, is proud to share a series of firsts for its lenses on the production of Martin Scorsese's eagerly anticipated 3D film, Hugo.

Hugo is the first production to use all three families of Cooke lenses: 5/i, S4/i and Panchro/i. It is also the first major motion picture shot with 5/i lenses (closely followed by Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris) and, significantly, the first major film to use /i Technology (metadata) and Transvideo CineMonitor HD 3D View /i monitors.

Gregor Tavenner, First Camera Assistant to DP Robert Richardson ASC, said, "We heard about the 5/i lenses, so we decided to take a look at them at Clairmont Camera. They were absolutely gorgeous; they had a beautiful feeling. We ended up taking three sets together with S4/i and Panchros, and what we saw was incredible consistency."

In an email to Cooke Optics about the 5/i lenses, Tavenner added, "I hope you can feel as proud [of the images] as I do - it's just a marvellous lens you made! Please show this to those involved with the 5/i project: they need to know how beautiful the images are from their lenses...and in marriage with the Alexa! What a combo."

Additional 'firsts' include the fact that Hugo is the first project shot in 3D by Martin Scorsese and Robert Richardson ASC, and the first major 3D movie shot with ARRI Alexa cameras.

The film is now in the final stages of post and is due for release in late November 2011. A trailer can be viewed at http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/hugo/

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About Cooke Optics, LTD.
Cooke is a storied name in both cinematographic and the ultra-high-end professional photography markets. Known worldwide for their precision, exacting tolerances and superior quality, Cooke lenses are specified by many of the world's most respected cinematographers. Cooke is also the developer behind /i Technology, the protocol enabling vital lens and camera information to be captured and passed digitally to post-production teams. Features in production or recently shot with Cooke lenses include Hugo Cabret, Midnight in Paris, Red Dog, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Angels and Demons, Hamlet 2, Frost/Nixon, Milk, Zack and Miri Make A Porno, and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Television shows in production or recently shot with Cooke lenses include Supernatural, CSI:NY, Trauma, Community, Back, Journeyman, State of Mind, Life, Bones, Grey's Anatomy, and Entourage.

Media contacts:
Europe & APAC - Wendy Mattock, Bubble & Squeak e: wendy@bubblesqueak.co.uk t: +44 (0)7912 300231 US - Chris Purse, Bubble & Squeak, e: chris@ignite.bz, t: +1 818.508.0450, m: +1 323.806.9696

Cooke Optics announces European sales of 5/i, S4/i and Panchro/i lenses

Leicester, UK - 1 September 2011

Cooke Optics, the premier manufacturer of precision lenses for the motion picture industry, announced today several European sales for its 5/i and S4/i prime lenses as well as its highly popular Panchro/i lenses.

The 5/i set continues to gain plaudits at the high end, with sales to customers including Panalight in Italy and Cine Technico in Spain.

Carlo Loreti, Panalight, said, "We have always been Cooke customers and carry every set of Cooke optics lenses, so of course we wanted a set of 5/i lenses. I have DPs working on commercials who are absolutely ecstatic to be using the 5/is, and the lenses are also being used by Darius Khondji on Woody Allen's new film, The Bop Decameron, which is shooting in Rome." Khondji also used a set of 5/i lenses, as well as S4/i's, on Allen's current release, Midnight in Paris.

Sales of Cooke's flagship lenses, the S4/i range, have been particularly strong in France in recent months.

Danys Bruyere, Deputy Managing Director, TSF, said, "While we are pleased to have purchased 5/i and Panchro lenses, the S4/i's remain our standard 'work horse' lenses. Since we bought our first set, our Cooke lenses have worked on more than 100 features as well as countless weeks of television movies and dramatic series. They are the right blend of size, speed, range, reliability, predictability and last but not least, they have incredible aesthetics!"

Rental companies and cinematographers alike appreciate the Panchro/i lenses for the high quality images that can be achieved on a smaller budget. Recent customers include the Dutch DP Sal Kroonenberg, as well as Atalys Rental in Belgium, Dijital 1^st in Turkey and several top UK rental houses and resellers including Top-Teks, FAVA Rental and VMI.

Barry Bassett, Managing Director, VMI, said, "Cooke makes the best lenses – it's that simple. With the Panchro/i's, we see a market for people who want high quality lenses at a lower cost, for instance for independent films or 2nd units on drama shoots. Modern cameras such as the Alexa are very sensitive, even in low light, so the loss of a single stop on the Panchro/i is more than offset by the cost differential. We are confident that the Panchro/i's will be very popular with our clients."

Les Zellan, Chairman and Owner, Cooke Optics, said, "Each Cooke lens, whether 5/i, S4/i or Panchro/i, is individually hand made by craftsmen who strive for absolute perfection every time. That care results in unrivalled optical and mechanical performance and the warmth of the Cooke Look for which we are renowned. We thank our clients for their continued support."

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Cooke Optics announces 135mm lens for 5/i and Panchro ranges

Leicester, UK - 8 August 2011

Cooke Optics, the premier manufacturer of precision lenses for the motion picture industry, announced today that it will unveil 135mm lenses for its 5/i Prime and Panchro lens sets at IBC 2011 on Stand 11.D10. The 135mm focal lengths are the latest eagerly anticipated additions to each set.

The 135mm for the 5/i set has T1.4 speed and the 5/i's signature focus ring that illuminates when required, eliminating the need for external lights that affect the shot.

The Panchro 135mm joins the smaller, lighter weight set at T2.8, and adds further value to this lower-cost lens range that is finding favour on projects including 2^nd unit film shoots, dramas and documentaries.

Both lenses are colour-matched and calibrated to all existing Cooke lenses and feature built-in /i Technology which provides cinematographers, camera operators and post teams with vital metadata including lens setting, focusing distance, aperture and depth-of-field, hyperfocal distance and focal length in both metric and imperial measurements.

The full range of Cooke 5/i, S4 and Panchro lenses, including the new 5/i 135mm lens and a prototype of the 135mm Panchro lens, will be on display on Stand 11.D10 at IBC 2011.

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Panchros by Cooke from Afghanistan to Toronto.

September 8 to 18, Afghan Luke, shot by Jeremy Benning, CSC, will be showing at TIFF - Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Afghan Luke is the first feature film shot with the new Panchro/i by Cooke lenses. Read about Jeremy's experience using the new Panchros by Cooke. Good luck, Jeremy!