Cooke 18-100mm with i interface?

[Mark Phelan]

I just spoke with Les with ZGC asking about the Cooke 18-100mm T3. He mentioned that it was a great lens, older technology and did not have the Intelligence interface of the newer S4/i series. As he said, the "i" type of setup of the S4/i lenses is old news to those of us used to using still digital cameras, but not so much for the film world.

At any rate, he said he is suspecting that once RED gets ramped up with production and folks like myself begin to inquire about good glass, he's going to be inundated with calls for appropriate lenses. He made a good suggestion about looking at a combination of the Cooke 15-40mm T2 zoom, 50mm T2, 75mm T2, and 100mm T2 primes. Only problem is that's around $92,000.00 just for lenses. And that is before the November price increase soon to be posted.

I suggested that they update the 18-100 to the "i" series and he said they've actually thought about doing just that but needed a critical mass of say 30 people who are interested in such a lens. So, anyone interested?

[Michael Lindsay]

I just spoke with Les with ZGC...

At any rate, he said he is suspecting that once RED gets ramped up with production and folks like myself begin to inquire about good glass, he's going to be inundated with calls for appropriate lenses. He made a good suggestion about looking at a combination of the Cooke 15-40mm T2 zoom, 50mm T2, 75mm T2, and 100mm T2 primes. Only problem is that's around $92,000.00 just for lenses. And that is before the November price increase soon to be posted.



Couple of semi-relevant thoughts..

I'm surprised they are putting up their prices. Once Red primes are available I'm sure there will be good additional demand for the other missing focal lengths. Ultra primes are cheaper and may, unless Cooke have more of a hand in Red primes than the zooms, match just as well.

The Cooke 15-40 is BIG and has to be seen first hand.. Like to hear some feed back on it handheld with Red? His suggestion still sound good. I'd perhaps jump a bit and go with a 65mm 100mm 135mm (or 150mm if I could afford it).. The advantages of reducing lens changes on a digital sensor camera are compelling.

There is a rumour of a new 40-80mm T2 Cooke? Did Les mention this?

regards

Michael

[PaulClements]

When I spoke to Les and Geoff at IBC they said there was no plans to create any new zooms.

They also said that they couldn't make the lenses fast enough to meet demand (It takes 6 weeks for one lens rotating through the various departments of the factory). They make such limited amounts of quality glass that I doubt Red or any other low priced lenses will make a dent in their sales really.

The other fact of the matter is it costs a lot of money to make anything in the UK which is why their prices will be needing to go up.

I'd love a 15-40mm and those primes... heck I'd love the $92,000!

Paul

[Mark Phelan]

No mention of a 40-80mm T2. The reason he said for the price increase is the dollar versus the pound fluctuation.

[Harry Clark]

Hi guys...
I've ordered up a 15-40, a 50, 65, 75, 100 S4 set. The 15-40 is big, but when you lift it, you wonder how in the world they made it so light. Really amazing. And a true T.2. AND focuses close. Cooke is a really terrific optics company... I think the "i" technology will really be useful in effect work; each frame shot on the Red One will have focus, zoom, and iris info in the metadata.
After I digest the cost of the set, I'll get some longer S4's; maybe the 135 and the 180. I have a nice Zeiss 300, so I'm not sure I'd need another $25,000 prime lens! :) Maybe a 12 eventually...
I'll hang on to my MK3 Superspeeds, as well as the 18-100, 25-250HR, and the old 20-100, but I suspect that the S4's will be my go-to set most of the time. But I bet a nice set of Ultraprimes would be super-duper too!
Cheers,
Harry

[PaulClements]

Aww Harry I'm jealous! That is one sweet lens set. Where are you based? Can I come play lol! How long till it arrives, I seem to remember the waiting list was about 6 months last time I checked.

If you decide to sell on your 18-100 or 20-100 I know a good home. :)

Paul

[Harry Clark]

Hey Paul...
I'm in New York.
I think the zoom may be ready as soon as December, with the primes in January.
I'm mostly thinking of hanging on to the older lenses to have a "palette" to choose from, but also because I suspect there will be some corporate clients that will take a long time to get their heads around the tapeless workflow, and I can use my HDX-900 and my Pro-35 for them. Meanwhile, the Red and Cookes can still be busy being rented; or I can go on a commercial with them and put my HDX, Pro-35 and older lenses on the corporate job with another cameraman to cover me.
Trying to have my cake and eat it too... :)
Cheers,
Harry

[PaulClements]

I don't blame you Harry. Sounds like you've got things pretty sorted. When the camera and Cooke Zoom arrives be sure to post a few clips. Infact it would be very very interesting if you could post a comparison of the 15-40mm, 18-100mm and 20-100mm. Such comparisons rarely get shown and would be hugely appreciated.

Cheers
Paul

[Harry Clark]

I sure will Paul... with the recent pushback in delivery of the camera, it will be interesting to see what arrives first; the Cookes or the Red! :)
Cheers,
Harry

[Volker Ehlers]

Hi redsky,

I am thinking of getting our Cooke 18-100mm MKII rehoused. If one could pimp it up to "i" technology that would be great - very interested...

I believe Cooke wants about 5000,- £ for rehousing. Do ZGC offer that service as well?

Cheers

[Mark Phelan]

Volker,

I would call Les at ZGC and ask him. I told him what I wanted was the 18-100 in a T2 variant. He laughed, said it was possible, but the increase in price would be "commensurate".

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Hi Harry

I would like to know if for your cooke set you had to pay the whole sum in advance or did you just pay account and the rest on delivery.

Thank you

Emmanuel

[Harry Clark]

Hi.
I purchased the zoom outright and financed a lease-to-own for the primes.
Cheers,
Harry

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Thanks Harry

Emmanuel

[Richard Bradbury]

Can anyone confirm if the 18-100mm covers the Red sensor fully? Cooke specs say that the lens covers 22.05 x 16.03mm. Red say the sensor is 24.4 x 13.7mm, but I have a feeling that only 22.1 x 12.4mm of that is active.

[Cüneyt Kaya]

why are you guys so horny for the i-interface....red didnt enable it...its not a software thing....its hardware...the connectors are missing....
---or did i miss something?

and t2 for 100k? 4 lenses?
what about master primes t1.3

red is a light eating machine

[Leo Ticheli]

I have the Cooke 18-100; it fully covers the Red.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo

[Richard Bradbury]

Thanks Leo. You wouldn't happen to know if the same is true of the Optimos 17-80mm and 17-102mm?