Cooke Optics Launches Anamorphic/i Full Frame Plus Range

Large format anamorphic lenses offer additional choice and character to cinematographers

Cooke Optics will add further depth and character to its acclaimed Cooke Anamorphic/i lens family, when it presents the 50mm focal length of the new Anamorphic/i Full Frame Plus range. This addition to the Anamorphic/i range has been designed to meet the growing appetite for large format production, while applying the popular anamorphic characteristics including flare and oval bokeh. 

The range, featuring a T2.3 stop, will offer 32mm, 40mm, 50mm, 75mm, 100mm, 135mm and 180mm lenses; the 50mm will be the first in production, with the rest following over the next 12 months. 


The image circle covers a full 24×36 still size sensor, with a 1.8 squeeze. Like all Cooke lenses, the Anamorphic/i Full Frame Plus range will include /i Technology that collects detailed lens data for VFX and post-production teams.

Why would the anamorphic squeeze ratio be 1.8x?

Les Zellan, Chairman, Cooke Optics, explained, “As soon as we saw the enthusiastic reception for the S7/i Full Frame Plus lenses, we knew the next logical step was to give full frame an anamorphic option. After a great deal of research and discussion, we believe the 1.8 squeeze of the Anamorphic/i Full Frame Plus range gives the best results for full frame anamorphic. 

At 2x you would lose too many pixels, and at 1.6x (the correct ratio to use every pixel) you will not get enough of the anamorphic character. Our solution at 1.8x gives the image a greater anamorphic feel at the aspect ratio of 2.40:1 whilst capturing 90% of the pixels, therefore keeping this format well within industry resolution standards. However, because these are Full Frame Plus lenses designed to cover the full still frame of 24×36, you can elect to use 100% of the pixels which will result in an aspect ratio of 2.70:1.” 

Another advantage of the 1.8x anamorphic squeeze is that it benefits from the full resolution of the camera’s full picture height. The lens also work on S35 cameras and full format cameras with 1.89:1 sensor aspect ratios: Canon C700 FF (38.1 x 20.1 mm) and RED MONSTRO 8K (40.96 x 21.60mm).

The new Cooke 1.8x Anamorphic/i Full Frame lenses will have the familiar Cooke look of their Super35 cousins: horizontal streaks when flared with a light source, beautiful bokeh and smooth skin tones. 

Which cameras support 1.8x de-squeezed viewing?

Sony Venice version 3.0, Arri Alexa LF SUP 4.0 beta version and 1.65x de-squeeze for the Panavision Ultra Vista Anamorphics.

To learn more about the lens from Cooke , please contact the Cinematic & Broadcast Solutions team of Jebsen Industrial Distribution & Service at indenquiry@jebsen.com.