Cooke Varotal 20-100mm T3.1 vs Angenieux 20-120mm T2.9.

[Pier Laurenza]

I am in the market for a medium zoom, my budget being limited I will go for a “vintage” one ; either a Cooke Varotal 20-100mm, T3.1 or an Angenieux 20-120mmT2.9. What are the pro & con for those ? Being in Vietnam , the are no possibilities for checking/projecting those lens, I will have to trust the sellers on this ! Any feedback will be appreciated, thanks in anticipation

[Stephen Williams]

I am in the market for a medium zoom, my budget being limited I will go for a “vintage” one ; either a Cooke Varotal 20-100mm, T3.1 or an Angenieux 20-120mmT2.9. What are the pro & con for those ? Being in Vietnam , the are no possibilities for checking/projecting those lens, I will have to trust the sellers on this ! Any feedback will be appreciated, thanks in anticipation

The Cooke is generally a better lens, it was the first really good zoom & it's still used today on high budget productions. It's a tad soft wide open which can be an advantage with older actors but very sharp from 4/5.6 split.

[Larry McKee]

I have not used the Cooke, so can't give a comparison. But, I used to own the Angenieux 20-120mm and loved the images that came from that lens. I honestly don't think you can make a bad choice between the Cooke and the Angenieux.

Another thing you might consider is the Battle Tested section of the RED Store. There is a RED Pro 18-85mm listed for $6000. Just a thought.
http://www.red.com/store/battle-tested/product/red-pro-zoom-18-85mm-t29-i-bt

[Jake Bastian]

I just sold my cooke and it's very soft, which is the main reason I sold it. It's not that it's a bad lens at all, I just needed something sharper for what I do. I've never used the 20-120 though so I really can't offer a comparison.

[albert rudnicki]

20-100 cooke is they way to go Pier.
Red One really like this lens.
the softness at 3.1 is similar to what Cooke does with all it's lenses. Creme sharpness:)
i owned this lens and shot a lot with it.
Angenieux, unless HR, shows it's age...


Cheers

[Pier Laurenza]

Thanks to all for the advices. There is quite a price difference between them from 50 up to 100% going for the Cooke !
Larry, it's true there is a battle tested 18-85 who looks great .... but I need the marking in decimal and the Store option one is not in my budget unfortunately
The market here in Vietnam even being an "emergent" one is pulling all production cost down

[Larry McKee]

Pier, I don't know your budget or shooting style. But, if cash is really tight, you can get a brand new Nikon 24-70mm F2.8 for less than $2000. Used ones can be found from $1200-1500. You would probably have to use it as a variable prime, but people have been getting good results from it. You would need the Nikon ProLock mount from Optitek in order to control the iris.

http://www.optitek.org/nikon-prolock.php

If the 24-70 wasn't quite long enough, you could pick up an 85mm and/or a 105mm Nikon prime to go with it. Or you could go with a couple of Nikon zooms. Say the 17-55mm F2.8 and a 70-200mm F2.8.

I don't know if any of that is an appropriate option for you and your clients. But, again, people have been getting great images with them.

[Tony Covell]

Hi Larry,
I have a beautiful 20x100 here ready for you to buy for £3450 close offers considered.
Its T3.1 ARRI PL and BNCR Mounts available with an ARRI support system clamp ring and support. You can find it on REDUSER also with pics.
Presently on ebay but I have another as well but that is at the Optical company TLS in Leicester having a service.
I ship to USA often and am well known as a good trader.
Frankly Iwould always buy the Cooke as you only really need a 14mm w/angle and you are pretty well set. The Cooke is a zoom but can be used at any angle you want without loss of defininition. They are A1.
Let me know and I am ready.
Tonycovell@talktalk.net

[Pier Laurenza]

Tony C ! you are the World reference for those British beauties !
Check your mail!
Cheers

[Richard Foster]

Cooke 5:1 for sure. That's what Panavison used for their 20-100 and I have used it for years. Great lens!

[Pier Laurenza]

Just bought it ! Might be able to send you something from Vietnam, could be over a month as this baby will go to Paris and then wait for a "courrier"friend to bring it back to Vietnam
Thanks to all for your imput
Cheers!