Cooke Launches AP3 Anamorphic Lenses for Mirrorless Systems
Cooke has launched its new AP3 anamorphic lenses, specifically designed for mirrorless cameras and featuring E, RF, L, and M mounts. These lenses offer 1.5x anamorphic compression and are engineered to intercut seamlessly with Cooke SP3 spherical lenses, maintaining consistent image quality and the distinctive Cooke look. They are available individually for $7,500 or as a three-lens set for $22,250.
Key Takeaways
- The AP3 lenses are purpose-built for mirrorless camera systems, offering E, RF, L, and M mount options without a PL mount.
- Each lens provides 1.5x anamorphic compression, yielding a 2.6:1 image ratio on 16:9 sensors.
- The series includes 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm focal lengths, all with a consistent T2.4 aperture and nine-blade iris.
- AP3 lenses are designed to intercut with Cooke SP3 spherical lenses, sharing lens coatings and hardware architecture.
- Individual AP3 lenses cost $7,500, or a three-lens set is available for $22,250, shipping in a hard case.
Why It Matters
This launch signifies Cooke's strategic move to address the growing mirrorless cinema market with high-end anamorphic options. By designing specifically for shorter flange distances and consistent image quality across their lens lines, Cooke is enabling cinematographers to integrate anamorphic capture into more agile production workflows. The market will be watching adoption rates among owner-operators and rental houses, particularly as the demand for cinematic aesthetics on mirrorless platforms continues to expand.
Additional Context
The introduction of the Cooke AP3 series builds on a trend of manufacturers offering compact, full-frame anamorphic lenses for mirrorless systems. CineD (May 2026) noted that 1.5x anamorphic lenses are increasingly becoming a standard compromise between 1.33x and 2.0x options, citing the DZOFILM Arcana, SIRUI IronStar, and Blazar Viper 1.5x as examples already in the market. While AP3 lenses are priced significantly higher than these alternatives, Newsshooter (May 2026) questioned the size of the market willing to pay Cooke's price point for mirrorless-specific lenses. Cinematography World (May 2026) highlighted that the AP3 series extends Cooke's philosophy of making high-end anamorphic imaging more accessible, following their SP3 spherical lenses launched in 2023, which were notable for their relatively lower cost compared to other Cooke offerings. 4K Shooters (May 2026) emphasized that the AP3 lineup targets productions requiring premium optical rendering without the operational demands of large anamorphic systems, making it suitable for narrative filmmaking, commercials, and high-end branded content.
Read full article at videomaker.com
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