Product Review: Cooke SP3 Cine Prime Set - Compact and Iconic

As a filmmaker, you know how important it is to be able to rely on your lenses. Image quality, reliability and ease of use are always paramount. The Cooke SP3 cine lenses promise to combine all these aspects in a compact form. But do they deliver on that promise? In this review, we take a closer look at the Cooke SP3 Cine Prime set.

Compact full-frame cine lenses

What immediately stands out about the Cooke SP3 is its size. It is almost unbelievable that this small lens is a full-frame cine lens. The SP3 series consists of a set of five lenses with a range of 25mm to 100mm. For those familiar with Cooke, you know that this name is synonymous with high-quality cinematic images. With the SP3 lenses, Cooke brings the iconic Cooke look within reach of filmmakers of any skill level.

Lightweight and manageable

One of the biggest advantages of the SP3 series is its weight. If you work with camera rigs on a daily basis, you know that cine lenses are often among the heaviest parts of your setup. That's because of the high-quality glass and rugged metal housing required to achieve a low T-stop. Thanks to technical innovations, however, the Cooke SP3 lenses have a much more compact and lightweight design, without sacrificing quality.

Comparison to an iPhone

To put the size in perspective, the SP3 32mm lens is about the same size as an iPhone. This makes working on location or in tight spaces a lot easier. But thankfully, a smaller lens doesn't mean compromising on performance.

Image quality: The iconic Cooke look

What really sets the Cooke SP3 Cine Prime Set apart is its image quality. The lenses feature exclusive optical coatings that provide excellent lens flare control and consistent color reproduction. This results in images with greater depth, high contrast and true-to-life skin tones. Especially for portrait shots, the SP3 offers superb results. Even without the use of additional filters, you get that characteristic cinematic style with a beautiful depth of field.

Easy to use and versatile

In addition to their light weight and high image quality, the SP3 lenses are also very user-friendly. The aperture ring turns smoothly and the robust design ensures that you can rely on these lenses even in demanding conditions. Whether you are working in a studio or outdoors on location, the SP3 lenses perform consistently.

Conclusion

The Cooke SP3 Cine Primes combine the best of both worlds: a compact and lightweight design with the iconic image quality Cooke is known for. For professionals and ambitious beginners alike, these lenses are a worthwhile investment. Whether you're shooting portraits or out for a documentary, the SP3 Cine Primes put a powerful tool in your hands.

With less weight, a handy size and the famous Cooke Look, the SP3 Cine Prime Set is an excellent choice for any filmmaker looking to take their footage to the next level.