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NEWS INTERVIEW
cameras and cameras that are bigger than full-frame? LZ: We tend to stick with our traditional focus lengths, like in the case of the S7s, 18, 25, 32, 40, 50, 75, 100 and 135mm. Of course these lenses will offer something different for full-frame cameras as far as field of view is concerned. But we tend to stick with numbers that people know, because we find that people who have been raised with Super 35mm are still thinking in those terms even though on a full-frame camera you’ll get a much wider image. I have seen some the other camera manufacturers coming out with some slightly strange focal lengths for their full-frame ranges – like 58 or 93 – but at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter. People are going to put it on and frame to what they see. Def: Do you think the new skill of working in large-format is something that filmmakers will have to adjust to? LZ: Absolutely. I mean a T2 at full- frame is super speed. A 4 or 5.6 can now equate to maybe between an 8 and an 11. I think it’s going to
Def: What is the driving force for lens design if it’s isn’t the speed of glass? LZ: The camera manufacturers. If there’s a bigger sensor out there somebody will want it. We make the Mini S4s and they are T2.8 and they cover up to the DRAGON sensor. They are extremely popular but not our bestseller and I know why. People don’t want to shoot with a 2.8 lens. Cinematographers often want speed in case they need it. We’re happy to make whatever lens they want. Def: How do you go about designing your range of lenses for full-frame
ABOVE Making a cine lens is
incredibly complex in lens design and lens construction.
be a wake-up call in some cases. Some questions are: if they shoot full-frame so 36x24mm, will they release in another aspect ratio so they are able to pan and scan to get what you want? Def: What is speed of development for lenses now? LZ: It used to be years but now it’s months. Our guiding principle for all the design decisions is always the Cooke ‘look’. Certainly having to cover a larger image circle presents its set of problems but I don’t think there are any easy designs in optics. The mechanical design of the lens is incredibly complex, it might even be more difficult to achieve than the optical design. WE SAW THE LARGE-FORMAT CAMERA WORLD COMING AND DECIDED TO PRODUCE SOME LENSES FOR THAT
ABOVE The new Cooke S7i 50mm, there are seven other focal lengths.
DEFINITION MARCH 2018
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