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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Mini S4/i

Panchro was a much prettier name....

Good thing that doesn't change the way the glass acts ;)
 
Are those your lenses? Wonder how you got your labels so quickly, I had no idea they were sending them out yet.

I think the name change is good and bad: Good because it's more accurate and descriptive... bad because it wasn't done from the start.

The stickers aren't all-that.

As soon as I have a spare chunk of change, I'll be trying to convince Cooke to change the barrels of the lenses to the new engravings, as I'd rather pay for new housings than to put a sticker on my lenses. Ya know?

Worst case scenario, I'll just either use the stickers or simply leave the original engravings on there. I don't think it will mean much besides the lenses were within the first two years of production run. Don't think anyone will poo-poo it for a sticker.
 
think it's just a stock demo photo. the fact that it's just a sticker makes it look cheaper. they should allow a paid for option for the metal to be replaced and re-laser marked with the new title. a sticker doesn't scream s4 line whatsoever.
 
Which is worse,

an elegant name that borrows from a set of 40-year old lenses,

or "mini S4" printed on a shiny sticker?

Cooke should offer an at-cost option for new barrels. I feel for you guys, such great lenses do not deserve scratch n sniff.

Personally i/Panchro and speed panchro were always different enough to tell apart...

(i always just called the new ones "the new panchros.")
 
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Why would anyone want to change the label on his existing set anyway? Especially with a sticker. Such a dumb idea, I don't even know where to start. Just leave the old ones be. Honestly who cares? The Panchro label will only identify these as first batches. Why is that a bad thing? Oh well, Cooke you made a mess.
 
Ryan De Franco said:
Which is worse,

an elegant name that borrows from a set of 40-year old lenses,

or "mini S4" printed on a shiny sticker?

Cooke should offer an at-cost option for new barrels. I feel for you guys, such great lenses do not diserve scratch n sniff.

Personally i/Panchro and speed panchro were always different enough to tell apart...
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Exactly!
 
Those are my lenses. They came in the mail today.

I think I'm going to take them off.....

They are industrial strength stickers though. Hope it doesn't take the finish off the lens.
 
Timur Civan said:
Those are my lenses. They came in the mail today.

I think I'm going to take them off.....

They are industrial strength stickers though. Hope it doesn't take the finish off the lens.
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Ah ;) silly me... and here I thought the stickers were sent out to stick them up yourselves :) I guess I still was in lalala land when typing my comments

Good luck for the peeling part!!!
 
No no, you put them on yourself.

It just feels like Audrey Hepburn wearing a plastic mardi gras necklace,
 
Timur Civan said:
It just feels like Audrey Hepburn wearing a plastic mardi gras necklace,
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Ha! Please tell that to Cooke.

In 1968, Fox rented 200,000 worth of Cartier stones for Julie Andrews to wear--even though you can't tell the difference between real pearls and costume jewelry on screen. To quote the producer: "The director says it makes the actors feel good and you can photograph that feeling. That's a load of shit. The main thing you got it for is the publicity."

I kinda think that applies to laser engraved barrels. No impact on image quality, impact on perceived "quality."
 
Just got my stickers in the mail. :/

When they said, 'metallic' I thought they meant actual engraved mental adhesives, like a plate. Turns out they are just really strong stickers.

Love these lenses to death, but these stickers are not going on. I think I'm going to just relabel the case to Mini-S4's, update all my clients on the name change and keep Panchro/i barrels until the next time I send my lenses in for a full servicing. I'll then inquire about getting new barrels with the legit 'Mini-S4' engraving.

That said, Cooke has had the best customer service I've ever experienced, and the lenses are just sick, so I'm not really caring that much. I think this is a short term fumble but a long term good decision. I'm supportive of it. Now where is my 135mm?! :)
 
Ryan: And a 40mm to come with it!

Timur I will rent yours as soon as a job can afford it. Stickers or no stickers.
 
Ryan De Franco said:
Ryan: And a 40mm to come with it!

Timur I will rent yours as soon as a job can afford it. Stickers or no stickers.
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Yeah! On an off topic note, I was disappointed just a little when they announced the 65mm after the 135mm. Wished it was the 40mm first. :/
 
Yeah, there is no way I am going to put stickers ona 50k set of lenses, it's a little crazy. So I guess I will be vintage Panchro/I. I am sure Cooke will have a lens rebarrel option. Feels a little odd that the sticker option was even the solution... Luckily doesn't change the way they shoot either way!
 
Randall Brown said:
Yeah, there is no way I am going to put stickers ona 50k set of lenses, it's a little crazy. So I guess I will be vintage Panchro/I. I am sure Cooke will have a lens rebarrel option. Feels a little odd that the sticker option was even the solution... Luckily doesn't change the way they shoot either way!
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heheh weird story all in all. I wish I had Panchros to stick stickers to - but then I simply wouldn't put them on either ;)
 
I think the whole thing is confusing.
"Panchro/i" is different from "Speed Panchro" but yes, slightly confusing, especially for producers dealing with owner-operators and not rental houses that may have both types.
Now it's just as bad, or worse. "Mini-S4s"? Really? I can hear the questions now: Are they better or worse? Are they the same? Why are they "mini"? Are your "old" S4s not as good?
It still requires explanation. And it is worse for S4 owners than it is for Panchro/i owners. Now S4 owners have to do explaining, and Panchro/i owners get an upgrade.
Why not just lower the price on "real" S4s? Heh heh. No need to answer...
Cheers,
Harry
 
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