Cooke S4 and S4/i Lenses Discontinued – End of an Era

Lens News

by Heath McKnightToday

Following 26 years of service, the legendary Cooke S4 and S4/i lenses have been discontinued. These award-winning lenses have been one of the most favored among cinematographers for their speed at T2, precision, and build. Plus, it ushered in the “Cooke Look” moniker, which reflected the warmth and character of the lenses.

Cooke’s history began in the late 1800s as T. Cooke & Sons of York as they worked on a solution to outer edge ridge distortion in telescope lenses. Soon after, Cooke photographic lenses were born. The Wizard of Oz utilized Cooke lenses and became the first movie to film in Technicolor. 

The Cooke Speed Panchro f/2 cinema prime lens was invented by Horace Lee and became the defacto lens of choice in Hollywood for over 40 years until the 1960s. The Panchro is still being developed today. Cooke also developed the world’s first Cine Zoom, released in 1971. 1998 was the start of Cooke Optics and the debut of the now legendary Cooke S4 lenses.

The Cooke S4 first came out in 1998 as Chairman and Owner Les Zellan and Cooke opened a new facility in Leicester, England to bring some shine back to the brand. The design and manufacturing of the lens really set a gold standard for cinematic optics, and this contributed to the “Cooke look.” 

Why Cooke S4/i lenses were so popular

What made the Cooke S4 lenses so famous was the warm look and artistic character. The engineering behind the lenses earned the company a special Academy Award in 2013. Cooke also focused on not just film but also digital as the format was starting to take over Hollywood. 

In 2005, the Cooke S4/i Technology was introduced and heralded the digital age of camera lenses. Lens metadata capture is embedded in the glass itself, helping with visual effects. This was also a major game changer.

Cooke S4/i prime lenses – features

In their tribute, Cooke goes into detail about the features and how they contributed to the “Cooke Look.” It’s no wonder so many modern lenses feature similar lens design and construction.

• 18 total focal lengths, from 12mm ultra-wide to 300mm telephoto.
• Fast T2 aperture.
• Four-point bearing system results in precise and smooth adjustments.
• 270–340° focus rotation for intricate focusing.
• Built for Super35, making the lenses compatible with both digital and film.
• 8-bladed irises result in soft and smooth bokeh.
• Minimal flare and aberration.
• /i Technology embeds metadata capture directly in their lenses.

What’s next for Cooke?

Cooke Optics is still designing and manufacturing some of the best cinematic prime and zoom lenses on the market. The S8/i carries on the legacy of the S4/i line. It features 16 focal lengths from 18mm to 350mm. The lenses are used in a wide variety of film and television productions. The Cooke S4/i mini lens set is also available.

The Cooke S4 and S4/i lenses will cease production on January 1, 2025. The company will continue supporting the lenses for up to 7 years, subject to material availability. Learn more about The Cooke Look and also their history.

Have you used the Cooke S4 and S4/i lenses on your productions? Let us know in the comments below!