Premium Member Robert Edge Posted June 1, 2005 Premium Member Share Posted June 1, 2005 Does anyone know what the design/production of any of the following lens series dates to: Cooke S4 series Cooke S3 series Cooke S2 series Zeiss Ultra Primes Zeiss Ultra Speeds (current version) Zeiss Standard Primes (current version) In the case of the Zeiss Ultra Speeds and Standard Primes, are the design/production dates the same for 35mm and 16mm lenses? I'd also be interested in any observations about what design changes were made between the various series and the impact of these changes. Are there any books or articles that discuss these questions? The American Cinematography Manual lists the various lens series of these and other manufacturers, but does not talk about production dates and series characteristics. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Max Jacoby Posted June 1, 2005 Premium Member Share Posted June 1, 2005 I have one French book where several of these lenses are dated, but unfortunately I have lent it to a friend. If memory serves me right, the Cooke S4s became available around 1999/2000 and the Zeiss Ultra Primes date from 1998. I think there are several series of Super Speeds, the older ones have fewer iris blades and optically are not as good as the later ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Stephen Williams Posted June 2, 2005 Premium Member Share Posted June 2, 2005 Does anyone know what the design/production of any of the following lens series dates to: Cooke S3 series Cooke S2 series Thanks. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Cooke speed pancro (S1) from 1921 Cooke speed pancrd (S2) Mid 1940's Cooke speed pancro (S3) Mid 1950's but only 18mm & 25mm exist Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Max Jacoby Posted June 2, 2005 Premium Member Share Posted June 2, 2005 The Zeiss Standards are from 1985. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member David Mullen ASC Posted June 2, 2005 Premium Member Share Posted June 2, 2005 So there was a thirty-or-more year gap between the Cooke S3's and S4's? I know that after "Barry Lyndon" was made, Alcott & Kubrick started using new Super-Speeds by Zeiss because "The Shining" used them. If Zeiss Standard Speeds did not appear until 1985, what was out there before that by Zeiss? There is a timeline here but it only mentions a Technical Oscar in 1987 for its new line of lenses, the ones you are talking about: http://www.zeiss.com/4125681C00466C26/Cont...5256B75005EDDEC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Stephen Williams Posted June 3, 2005 Premium Member Share Posted June 3, 2005 So there was a thirty-or-more year gap between the Cooke S3's and S4's? : http://www.zeiss.com/4125681C00466C26/Cont...5256B75005EDDEC <{POST_SNAPBACK}> David, Thats right 30 years but only 2 series III lenses were ever made the 18mm + 25mm. In the original housings the lens turns in the mount to focus. If you rent a full set it's both series II + III. Geoff Boyles's set were rebuilt by Van Diemen. Jeff Barklage's (recently stolen set) were rebuilt by Centuary and Panavision has rebuilt many sets. Stephen Williams DoP Zurich www.stephenw.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob spence Posted July 30, 2005 Share Posted July 30, 2005 Hi, Are the cooke series 1, 2 and 3 still usable lenses compared with, say, superspeeds. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Dan Goulder Posted July 31, 2005 Premium Member Share Posted July 31, 2005 Hi,Are the cooke series 1, 2 and 3 still usable lenses compared with, say, superspeeds. Rob <{POST_SNAPBACK}> A recent use of the older Cooke lenses was for most of the close ups in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith". (The rest of the shots used the S4 series.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boone Hudgins Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 I noticed in some shots of Raging Bull there were triangular circles of confusion in out of focus backgrounds, characteristic of the T2.1 Standard Speeds, no? It was shot in 1979. Anybody know what lenses were used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Stephen Williams Posted July 31, 2005 Premium Member Share Posted July 31, 2005 Hi,Are the cooke series 1, 2 and 3 still usable lenses compared with, say, superspeeds. Rob <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi, The series 2 / 3 yes very beautiful glass, not the same as Superspeeds, more dreamy! I did once use an original Cooke Speed Pancro (series 1) lens, designed in the 1920's. It was very very soft even at 5.6 or 8. Steer well clear, some were recently for sale on E-bay. The later lenses are marked Series II or Series III Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob spence Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Hi it seems that the cookes are still a popular lens choice...can anyone tell me what focal lengths the full range of series 2 and 3 primes come in...and can they be converted to arri bayonet . Many thanks Rob Spence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Stephen Williams Posted August 1, 2005 Premium Member Share Posted August 1, 2005 Hiit seems that the cookes are still a popular lens choice...can anyone tell me what focal lengths the full range of series 2 and 3 primes come in...and can they be converted to arri bayonet . Many thanks Rob Spence <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi, Cooke Speed Pancro Series II came in 18, 25, 32, 40, 50, 75mm. The 100 & 152 were called Deep Field Pancro but would probably be included in a full set. Joe Dunton also has a 317mm & 512mm to rent but I can't see them mentioned on Cookes website www.cookeoptics.com ! The lenses can be found for sale on Ebay in most mounts, and very cheaply in Arri STD. Arri Standard to Arri bayonet adapters available but collimation can be an issue. Rebuilt in PL mounts they are fairly expensive. Stephen Williams Lighting Cameraman www.stephenw.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Anthony Vale Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 I know that after "Barry Lyndon" was made, Alcott & Kubrick started using new Super-Speeds by Zeiss because "The Shining" used them. If Zeiss Standard Speeds did not appear until 1985, what was out there before that by Zeiss? The first series of Zeiss high-speeds came out in early 70s, about the same time as the 35BL. They had bayonet mount and 67mm filtyer thread. 1985 would be the PL mts. ---PL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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