Cooke Optics announced the launch of its new “AP3” series of compact and lightweight anamorphic lenses designed for mirrorless cameras.
Cooke Optics pioneered the democratization of cinematic image capture with the highly successful SP3 series released in 2023. The AP3 expands on this philosophy, making high-end anamorphic imaging more accessible and providing cinematographers and owner-operators with more shooting options.
What is the Cooke Optics AP3 Line of Lenses?
The AP3 comes in three focal lengths: 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm, all with a T-number range of T2.4 to T16. These lenses feature a 1.5x squeeze ratio (compression ratio), providing true anamorphic characteristics while maintaining a compact form factor.
The AP3’s flare characteristics are undeniably anamorphic and completely controllable by the user. These are not manufactured effects or simple overlays, but an organic response to light that adapts to and integrates with the scene. The defocus (bokeh) rendering is smooth and gradual, providing true depth. The transitions between planes of focus have an organic continuity that closely resembles how we perceive depth in real life.
The AP3’s bokeh is the result of a design that was conceived from the ground up. As a true 1.5x anamorphic lens, it renders out-of-focus elements with a painterly texture that is eye-catching but not intrusive.
Weighing between 1177g and 1410g, the lenses are light enough to be used with many gimbals, drones, and other stabilizers, making them an ideal option for filmmakers where weight distribution is crucial.
Minimum Focusing Distances
This lens boasts excellent minimum focusing distances: 0.5m at its widest angle (35mm), 0.6m at the intermediate (50mm), and 0.9m at its longest (85mm). While the lens natively uses an E-mount, it can be converted to RF, M, or L-mount by the user. A second mount can be ordered free of charge within six months of purchase. For a step-by-step guide on how to change the AP3 lens mount, please see here .
History of Anamorphic Lenses
For over a decade, Cooke has been a renowned manufacturer of high-end anamorphic lenses, starting with the Anamorphic/i S35 released in 2013. Following this, Cooke released its full line of Anamorphic/i FF cinema lenses in 2018, which became the benchmark for high-end cinema shooting. The AP3 continues this legacy, offering solutions for owner-operators, cinematographers, and beginners to anamorphic shooting.
“As part of our core purpose, Cooke aims to design and produce tools that help diverse artists create emotionally rich visual storytelling,” CEO David Hancock commented. “We are pleased to add AP3 to our portfolio of tools. High-quality anamorphic lenses have long been coveted, but unfortunately, they have often been out of reach for anyone other than a select few elite-level budgeted productions.”
“With the AP3, Cooke is creating concrete opportunities for mirrorless users to produce cinematic, anamorphic looks. Our goal is to continue empowering cinematographers and owner-operators by adding this new lens option to their storytelling toolbox.”
