Jorge Díaz-Amador
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2007
- Messages
- 346
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Portland, ME
- Website
- www.cinematechnic.com
Cooke Kinetal 9mm f1.8 / T2.0 Vintage 16mm format Prime Lens
Arriflex Standard Mount
This lens is from the Cooke Kinetal 16mm format lenses made by Taylor & Hobson for the Arriflex 16S. The optical design of these lenses was by Gordon Cook, the same designer of the Cooke Speed Panchro Series II and Series III.
If you’re shooting with a 16mm format sensor camera (or in a 16mm compatible 2k mode), and you want the Cooke Look, here’s a way to get it without paying the outrageous asking prices seen these days for 35mm format Cooke Speed Panchros in uncertain condition.
Subjective Impressions:
I recently tested this lens with a small digital cine camera (that's meant to go in a "pocket"). This lens produced a uniquely intriguing image, with a very “vintage look” and a slight sepia tint. Sharpness was good (less than a modern lens but adequate) and distortion was low. I can send some pics or the .mov file if you're interested in seeing that.
History:
These Cooke 16mm format lenses were introduced in 1959 and used a shorter back focus (rear element closer to film) which was compatible with the Arriflex 16S / 16M but not the later 16BL (1964) and 16SR (1975), which required more clearance for the mirror shutter. The short back focus (like a Leica M rangefinder lens) made it possible to design lenses with excellent optical quality that are very compact.
Because they weren’t compatible with the 16BL or 16SR, these lenses fell out of favor and are bargain priced compared to any other lens of similar optical quality and focal length. The short back focus is not an issue with digital cinema cameras (no spinning mirror). Their optical quality is only bested by the later lenses with multi-layer anti-reflective coatings (such as the Zeiss Distagon f1.2/9.5mm).
Please note: When the focus ring is turned, the mount on these vintage lenses *rotates inside* the Arriflex Standard lens port. This is no problem on any camera with an ARRI Standard or Bayonet lens port. However, this design is not compatible with most PL mount adapters, because the focus won’t turn.
I am currently working on a design for a PL adapter that will work with these vintage lenses. Please PM me if you are interested in that product.
Format coverage:
Std. 16mm: 7.50 x 10.35 mm, 1.37:1 aspect ratio (4:3)
Alternate: 6.25 x 11.15 mm, 1.78:1 aspect ratio (16:9)
This lens was designed to cover the standard 16mm format. I have verified the image circle coverage at 12.8 mm. The above formats are covered (check your sensor dimensions).
Condition:
This lens was a trade-in from a camera conversion customer many years ago. Glass is in good condition for a vintage lens. Clear, no fungus or doublet separation. Some hairline scratches on front element (will not affect image quality). Minor edge paint separation typical of vintage lenses. Iris functions properly. Lens has been cleaned and re-greased. Lens has the “ears” on the focus ring (tabs to turn the focus with).
Image Quality (Objective Instrumented Test):
My testing showed moderate contrast/sharpness wide open, and very good contrast/sharpness at T5.6. Wide open this lens will have more of a “vintage look”. Stopped down it is suprisingly competitive with many modern lenses for sharpness and contrast. Certainly enough for HD/2k. I can provide MTF test results to the purchaser.
Asking prices for these lenses on fleaBay typically range from $400.- to $1,000.- and frequently involve foreign shipping, sketchy sellers and uncertain condition.
The first buyer with $375.00 takes it! Please PM me. Offers will be considered, so do not hesitate.
Location: Burbank/North Hollywood, CA
Arriflex Standard Mount
This lens is from the Cooke Kinetal 16mm format lenses made by Taylor & Hobson for the Arriflex 16S. The optical design of these lenses was by Gordon Cook, the same designer of the Cooke Speed Panchro Series II and Series III.
If you’re shooting with a 16mm format sensor camera (or in a 16mm compatible 2k mode), and you want the Cooke Look, here’s a way to get it without paying the outrageous asking prices seen these days for 35mm format Cooke Speed Panchros in uncertain condition.
Subjective Impressions:
I recently tested this lens with a small digital cine camera (that's meant to go in a "pocket"). This lens produced a uniquely intriguing image, with a very “vintage look” and a slight sepia tint. Sharpness was good (less than a modern lens but adequate) and distortion was low. I can send some pics or the .mov file if you're interested in seeing that.
History:
These Cooke 16mm format lenses were introduced in 1959 and used a shorter back focus (rear element closer to film) which was compatible with the Arriflex 16S / 16M but not the later 16BL (1964) and 16SR (1975), which required more clearance for the mirror shutter. The short back focus (like a Leica M rangefinder lens) made it possible to design lenses with excellent optical quality that are very compact.
Because they weren’t compatible with the 16BL or 16SR, these lenses fell out of favor and are bargain priced compared to any other lens of similar optical quality and focal length. The short back focus is not an issue with digital cinema cameras (no spinning mirror). Their optical quality is only bested by the later lenses with multi-layer anti-reflective coatings (such as the Zeiss Distagon f1.2/9.5mm).
Please note: When the focus ring is turned, the mount on these vintage lenses *rotates inside* the Arriflex Standard lens port. This is no problem on any camera with an ARRI Standard or Bayonet lens port. However, this design is not compatible with most PL mount adapters, because the focus won’t turn.
I am currently working on a design for a PL adapter that will work with these vintage lenses. Please PM me if you are interested in that product.
Format coverage:
Std. 16mm: 7.50 x 10.35 mm, 1.37:1 aspect ratio (4:3)
Alternate: 6.25 x 11.15 mm, 1.78:1 aspect ratio (16:9)
This lens was designed to cover the standard 16mm format. I have verified the image circle coverage at 12.8 mm. The above formats are covered (check your sensor dimensions).
Condition:
This lens was a trade-in from a camera conversion customer many years ago. Glass is in good condition for a vintage lens. Clear, no fungus or doublet separation. Some hairline scratches on front element (will not affect image quality). Minor edge paint separation typical of vintage lenses. Iris functions properly. Lens has been cleaned and re-greased. Lens has the “ears” on the focus ring (tabs to turn the focus with).
Image Quality (Objective Instrumented Test):
My testing showed moderate contrast/sharpness wide open, and very good contrast/sharpness at T5.6. Wide open this lens will have more of a “vintage look”. Stopped down it is suprisingly competitive with many modern lenses for sharpness and contrast. Certainly enough for HD/2k. I can provide MTF test results to the purchaser.
Asking prices for these lenses on fleaBay typically range from $400.- to $1,000.- and frequently involve foreign shipping, sketchy sellers and uncertain condition.
The first buyer with $375.00 takes it! Please PM me. Offers will be considered, so do not hesitate.
Location: Burbank/North Hollywood, CA
