Cooke Optics Launches New Varotal/i FF 19-40mm Lens

Varotal/i FF zoom range
(Image credit: Cooke Optics)

LEICESTER, U.K.—Cooke Optics has released a 19-40mm wide zoom in its Varotal/i FF range, that also includes the 30-95mm medium and 85-215mm long zooms that were launched at the end of 2021. 

The launch of the 19-40mm zoom completes the Varotal/i FF series, enabling Cooke to offer broad focal length coverage for the majority of production needs.

“We are immensely proud to complete the Varotal/i FF range with the new wide zoom,” said Tim Pugh, CEO, Cooke Optics, said,  This cutting-edge series gives even more flexibility to creatives in choosing how to tell their stories, offering the Cooke Look in a zoom range to match our celebrated primes.”

The Varotal/i FF T2.9 spherical zoom series offers superb resolution, constant optical speed and minimal breathing throughout the range, the company said. 

All Varotal/i FF zooms deliver the famed Cooke Look, offering natural, flattering skin tone and character, and match the Cooke S8/i FF (at T2.8) and S7/i FF prime lenses, enabling cinematographers to preserve their creative intent when switching between primes and zooms.

The Varotal/i FF series offers focal length coverage from 19mm to 215mm. This coverage provides cinematographers with huge flexibility in the focal length choice from only three lenses, and the set is designed with suitable crossover between focal lengths, Cooke reported. 

The new 19-40mm lens is the widest of the three Varotal/i FFs, and slightly lighter at 3.5kg (7.7lbs), with 30-95mm and 85-215mm lenses both weighing 4kg (8.8lbs). As the widest zoom with suitable close focus of 320mm, this is an ideal lens for Steadicam work, allowing the camera operator to obtain fluid moving shots while getting close to the subject, the company said. 

With an ergonomic design and solid casing, the lenses are relatively compact when considering their focal length range, speed, and image circle. /i Technology connectivity is provided to both camera and the Lemo connection on the side of the lens, making lens data accessible to production from a zoom.

The full Varotal/i FF series is now available to order and will be available to test at EnergaCAMERIMAGE which takes place from 12-19 November in Torun, Poland.

George Winslow

George Winslow is the senior content producer for TV Tech. He has written about the television, media and technology industries for nearly 30 years for such publications as Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News and TV Tech. Over the years, he has edited a number of magazines, including Multichannel News International and World Screen, and moderated panels at such major industry events as NAB and MIP TV. He has published two books and dozens of encyclopedia articles on such subjects as the media, New York City history and economics.