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FOR SALE (European Union only): Cooke Varokinetal 10.4 - 52 T2.8 Super 16 w/ Aaton Mount


Philipp Marzusch

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It is with deep regret that I have to sell my «Taylor-Hobson Cooke Varokinetal 10.4 - 52 T 2.8 (SUPER 16)» zoom lens with Aaton Mount. I originally bought it for the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, which I ordered back in may. But since I had not received my unit before the end of november, which was the starting date of my film project, I decided to switch to the obtainable 2.5k-camera-version (EF-mount) from Blackmagic. This SUPER 16 lens won’t cover the 2.5k version’s sensor, it would vignette at shorter focal lengths.

Now I read on the internet that it even vignettes on the Pocket version. So to all of you who consider using this lens on a BMPCC: This lens doesn't work on the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera. It vignettes all the way through when the aperture is closed.

 

Offering this lens here on cinematography.com is a hefty step for me because it’s a real jewel and a great example of british craftsmanship.

 

Anyway: this legendary zoom lens features the following . . .

 

Characteristics:

  • the glory of being a unit of the first Super 16-lens ever. Taylor-Hobson introduced it in 1983. I should fit to the ingenious S16-aspect ratio invented by the swedish DP Rune Ericson. That means: It’s no retrofit, no conversion. It left its factory as a Super 16 lens from top to toe!
  • the famous „Cooke look“ which has the reputation of being very cinematic: creamy and - at the same time - very sharp. Among professionals, it is admired for its fantastic reproduction of skin tones.
  • multicoatings on both the front and rear optical elements
  • a lens barrel which doesn’t lengthen when turning the zoom ring. The optical elements move internally - a characteristic of cinema-grade quality. Advantages: 1. There’s is no (or at least no noticeable) «breathing effect» which is a disagreeable side effect of modern DSLR-filmmaking-times. 2. Very resistant to age: because when focusing, the lens barrel doesn’t «aspirate» any dust as it is usually the case of DSLR-lenses that vary their length.
  • a close focus of 1.6 ft / 0.49 m engraved on the lens barrel. But in wider focal lengths, you get things sharp that are even closer.
  • a focus gear for the use of a follow focus
  • Aaton Mount

What’s included:

 

Used:

  • 1x «Taylor-Hobson Cooke Varokinetal 10.4 - 52 T 2.8 (SUPER 16)» with Aaton Mount
  • 1x original aluminium case, very solid, with an additional wooden layer, individually fitted foam material and a cubbyhole for the silica gel inside
  • 1x original zoom crank
  • 1x sunshade from Tiffen which allows the use of filters. The lens itself has no filter thread.
  • 1x original front protection cap
  • 1x original rear protection cap

 

Condition:

Optics:

As I mentioned above, I wasn’t able to test the lens since the Blackmagic camera which I finally bought only works with Canon EF lenses. The only thing I could do was checking it under light:

  • the optical elements are very clean
  • thanks to its clever non-aspirating-construction, there’s only little dust inside, which can only be seen when looking from one end to the other straight into direct light (but for a vintage lens, it looks fantastic)
  • no fungus thanks to the silica-gel sachets lying in the aluminum case in which it has always been kept
  • no haze
  • no separation
But . . . NOTE:
  • There is a very tiny scratch in the centre of the front optical element consisting of two parallel lines, thinner than hairs, each of them around 1 mm long. The distance between these two parallel lines does not exceed 0.5 mm. I doubt it will be visible on the frame, although I can’t guarantee its invisibility (see below on the pictures 8 and 9).
  • There are some minor cleaning marks on both the front and the rear optical elements. They are as thin as the silk of a spider and quite hard to see - when looking transversely on the glass under a certain light incidence. After all that I read in the internet, it should not affect the image quality at all, although I can’t vouch for this neither (see below on the pictures 8 and 10).

Lens Barrel Cosmetics/Mechanics:

  • the outer body looks great in consideration of its 20+ years of age: it is very clean, the original black lacquer is still nice. All in all just some signs of use.
  • the focus ring, the zoom ring and the aperture ring work very smoothly. They run like butter, without any resistance nor play
  • the aperture blades work perfectly, no oil
  • the mount is made of high quality machined steel and perfectly collimated for Aaton mounts

 

By the way:

 

Price:

 

1750.- € + shipping costs

 

 

SHIPPING (WITH INSURANCE):

  • Germany: €6.90 (parcel) + €3.50 (insurance) = €10.40
  • European Union: €19.90 (parcel) + €20.78 (insurance) = €40.68

To the members from beyond the European borders: I regret that I can't ship the lens to your place. It's because I couldn't find a parcel service who ships insured parcels to other continents. Furthermore I'm not familiar with import sales taxes, clearance charges etc. I'm sorry!

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

  • I'm offering you a right of return (10 days, starting from the day of the receipt of the lens) if you're not satisfied.
  • As this is a used item, a warranty can not be offered.

 

Pictures: Please click on them to enlarge (I'm sorry for the advertising on directupload.net)

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Edited by Philipp Marzusch
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