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Cooke Speed Panchro Buying Guide

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Kenneth C Merrill

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It seems more and more frequent that I am blown away by the look of a film, to find later that it was shot on Speed Panchros. It's got me itching to buy a set some day. It used to be they were an affordable alternative to the latest Cookes, but recently prices seem to have skyrocketed (about $50K was the latest figure I saw for a rehoused set).

I do see a lot of these lenses for sale on various forums or eBay, that haven't been rehoused or remounted. These options are much more affordable, obviously, but I'm wondering how possible it is to scrape together a good set and just get them remounted. I think the usual mount is Mitchell, but I'm not sure if that's universal.

Also if it is possible, are there certain versions of these lenses to avoid? I've heard rumors of radioactive elements, etc. any thoughts?
 
Kenneth C Merrill said:
It seems more and more frequent that I am blown away by the look of a film, to find later that it was shot on Speed Panchros. It's got me itching to buy a set some day. It used to be they were an affordable alternative to the latest Cookes, but recently prices seem to have skyrocketed (about $50K was the latest figure I saw for a rehoused set).

I do see a lot of these lenses for sale on various forums or eBay, that haven't been rehoused or remounted. These options are much more affordable, obviously, but I'm wondering how possible it is to scrape together a good set and just get them remounted. I think the usual mount is Mitchell, but I'm not sure if that's universal.

Also if it is possible, are there certain versions of these lenses to avoid? I've heard rumors of radioactive elements, etc. any thoughts?
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Lenses known as Cooke Speed Panchro were made over a long long period of time, and in many different incarnations. Earliest ones had strange focal lengths.... Anyway, there are many different versions of them and I'll try to remember all I can. Regarding radioactive material, I don't think they do. I know Super Baltars do, and other lenses that do, but i've never heard anyone mention it before. I don't know for sure.

There are Cooke Speed Panchro's from 1930's and etc, but I believe the most common ones used today are the later made (mid 1940's and on) era of Series II Speed Panchros, and the mid-50's or early 60's series III Speed Panchros.

The series II's were the classic lengths we see today of 25, 32, 40, 50 and 75mm.

The series III's were only two lengths; an improved 25mm, and an 18mm.

(There might have been a Series II 18mm, but I've never seen one. I've only ever seen series III 18mm's. )

There is also a 100mm Deep Field Panchro, and I don't know the history behind that, nor if there are different versions of it. I imagine there are.

If I were you, I'd be very cautious when buying and make sure they are Series II lenses, and I would highly suggest getting the Series III 18mm and 25mm. Even then try to pick the best color matched lenses, because these lenses are going to vary greatly due to how old they are, each having a different life-experience, and because they might be very different in age too.

Good luck! I've always wanted to hunt down a set of my own but I can't pull the trigger with the prices so high.

Also, let me tell you TLS does the best rehousing of these.
 
I agree with almost everything Ryan said. However, I'd like to add one thing. I remember the 75mm being the one lens from the Cooke Panchro line that suffered from sometimes extreme yellowing of the glass. My copy was only moderately yellow when I sold it 5 years ago, but it was noticeable. My understanding was that it was because that particular lens length used a radioactive coating. Over time it would breakdown and change the colors. I'm not certain that is true, but its what I remember. Good luck and keep your eyes peeled!
 
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
(There might have been a Series II 18mm, but I've never seen one. I've only ever seen series III 18mm's. )
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Yes, there was a 18mm Series II, with a bigger front element than the Series III and a bit faster, but with less coverage than the later design (the 25mm was also improved for increased performance in widescreen presentations).

There were also some telephoto lenses as well, such as the 152mm Telepanchro (T/3.2) -which is stunning- and a 203mm T/4.5 lens. Maybe even more telephotos (317mm?), but I've never seen them.

I remember the 75mm being the one lens from the Cooke Panchro line that suffered from sometimes extreme yellowing of the glass.
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PS Technik (and maybe other companies) can treat the yellowing element and bring back the 75mm lens to life. Before that, I used to shoot the 75mm with a 80D filter to match it to the other lenses.
 
Hey, thanks for all of the super helpful replies! Putting together a set sounds like a real challenge, but if the right opportunities come up, I might be up for it!
 
Kenneth C Merrill said:
Hey, thanks for all of the super helpful replies! Putting together a set sounds like a real challenge, but if the right opportunities come up, I might be up for it!
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Ive got a 50mm Series ii Panchro in Arri standard mount in like new condition for sale. It's hard to find them this nice.
 
Arran Busk said:
Anyone know what Series I is like? Been offered a set and looking at rehousing but can only really find info on Series II & III. Anyone know anything? As far as I know there's an 18, 28. 35, 50...
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They are not worth rehousing, they are very old lenses. No 18mm series 1 was ever made.
 
Cooke S1's look

Cooke S1's look

Cooke speed panchro s3/s2 are one of my favorite lenses but they do tend to mismatch a lot from each other ( serials dont matter at all ) and best and the right way to match a set is to handpick out of a few sets. I generally like better the warm old cokke look of the s3/s2 but s1's are not bad at all.

So will completely disagree with Cooke Speed Panchros Series 1 being not worth rehousing. In fact Panavision in Hollywood has a very nuce set of S1's 18mm and 25mm series 2 should match all the other series 1 lenses with coating. They are colder in look and less contrasty but they do have very nice flares.
 
series 1 lenses are nice they are sharp with good contrast.. the coatings are good but very simple. the coverage is not as good as the s2/3. the ones with the blue circle coating and also the ELC coating are really good

I have handled so many speed panchros it makes my head spin

S2/3 are great lenses, sharp but soft on the skin, beautiful flares, nice falloff

here is a list of all the speed panchros and variants Ive ever seen:

all are f/2.0 unless otherwise stated

18,25 Series 3 almost cover dragon 6k
32 S2 covers dragon 6k
40,50,75,100 all cover full frame

Cooke Cinema lens:

47.5mm f/2.5
3 inch

Cooke Technicolor Anastigmats:
35mm
40mm
50mm
70mm
140mm



Series 1:
1 inch ( 24mm +/-)
28mm
32mm
35mm
40mm
50mm
58mm
75mm
100mm ( deep field panchro f/2.5)


both of these are EXTREMELY rare and ive only ever seen 1 or 2:
58mm f/1.3 super speed
75mm f/1.3 super speed



Series 2:
18mm f/1.7
25mm f/1.8
32mm
40mm
50mm
75mm
100mm ( deep field panchro f/2.5)

Series 3:
18mm f/2.0
25mm f/2.0

Double Speed Panchros /duo panchros:
(covers beyond 36x24, used on VV and possibly on 70mm)
30mm f/2.8 ( this one is marked duo panchro)
40mm f/2
50mm f/2
55mm f/2.8 (duopanchro)
75mm f/2
 
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anyone ever see cookes made into EF mount?
wishful thinking :)
 
Many decades ago I was in charge of director Stanley Donen's personal camera gear. He had Baltars, Canon K series and also a couple of sets of Cooke Pancros all in BNCR mounts. When he wanted his gear sold I sold these to Victorio Storaro. I would assume he used these on some of his amazing films.
 
I love Cooke Speed Panchros.

These older lenses (Panchros and other ones) are gold on sharp, digital sensors.
 
who needs primes when i got such a nice cooke 18-100 zoom on the for sale section... no but shameless plug aside FJS and westcoastcinevideo usually have them posted....maybe barbra holler? i just scour the for sale section here and then defer to the for sale sites? some of them are way cheaper i saw before rebuilding the housings or whatever? ebay has some usually too...
 
I'm looking for a 50mm. Series II Panchro in Arri standard. Please, let me know if your lenses it is available.
Best regards
Emilio
 
does anyone know how much cost re-housing of 18, 25, 32, 40, 50, 75 (so set of 6 lenses) in TLS ? and waht they do in this price (also some glass work or just mechanics) ?
 
Cristina Kowalska said:
does anyone know how much cost re-housing of 18, 25, 32, 40, 50, 75 (so set of 6 lenses) in TLS ? and waht they do in this price (also some glass work or just mechanics) ?
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You can look on the web site for what they do and which lenses. They also have a frequent questions page you should read.
http://www.truelens.co.uk/tls-cooke-speed-panchro-rehousing-process

Pricing can be tough to get from them, but I believe if you supply the lens it will be about 6-7,000 dollars each.
 
From TLS 2016/2017 pricelist
Cookespeed Panchro Series 2+3 Any six UK £2400 each. Any 4 or 5 UK£2500. Singles £ 2800 each
Series 2 18mm UK£ 3000 Single or included in any 6 £2650

They rehouse series 1 as well

Prices may have risen since I got this price list.
 
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