Cooke Optics’ newly announced Panchro 65/i series embraces the future of large-format filmmaking while remaining true to its historic heritage.

These lenses, designed for modern large-format sensors, continue the legacy of the legendary Panchro name, which has been synonymous with cinema for over a century.

Panchro lenses have long been associated with cinematic style and delicacy. Cooke’s Speed Panchro lenses, introduced in the 1920s, received praise for their ability to mix sharpness and warmth. Known for their lifelike representation of faces and skin tones, they were Hollywood’s golden age mainstays. Over the years, these lenses produced what is now known as the “Cooke Look,” which is defined by rich contrast, smooth highlight roll-off, and a subtle softness that tempered the harsh precision of early digital sensors.

The Panchro 65/i series is the next installment in this illustrious bloodline. These lenses, designed for large-format cameras such as the ARRI Alexa LF, RED Monstro, and Sony Venice, fulfill the needs of today’s high-resolution cinematography. Their optics cover vast picture circles, ensuring compatibility with larger sensors while retaining the aesthetic attributes that Cooke lenses are known for.

The Panchro 65/i series is defined by its devotion to producing images that feel cinematic. These lenses strike a careful balance between clarity and emotion, reproducing skin tones accurately while keeping the textures that bring an image to life. Whereas current sensors frequently stress hyper-clarity, the Panchro 65/i lenses take a more organic approach, softening edges while keeping detail.

The series features advanced optical coatings meant to reduce flare and reflections. This capability is critical for filmmakers working in difficult lighting settings where contrast and image integrity are important. These coatings also provide constant performance under a variety of illumination circumstances, whether in bright outside environments or controlled studio settings.

Another distinguishing characteristic of the Panchro 65/i series is Cooke’s incorporated /i Technology. This gives metadata for focus, iris, and zoom settings, which is extremely useful in visual effects or virtual production workflows. This data makes post-production easier by providing perfect alignment between live-action film and digital effects, bridging the gap between capture and editing.