Introducing the Newest Anamorphic Lenses from Cooke
Taking momentum from the success of their SP3 series, Cooke has brought anamorphic flavors to prime lens builds with the AP3 lens series. AP3 is a ground-up anamorphic design. Three full frame primes purpose-built for mirrorless cameras. The optical philosophy balances controlled anamorphic character with the clarity and dependability that modern filmmaking demands.
The AP3 Series comes in 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm focal lengths, offering a 1.5x squeeze factor to a compact lens design. Native Sony E mounts and lightweight form factors allow you to use the lenses with your mirrorless camera.
The AP3 lenses cover full-frame sensors and feature a T2.4 aperture across all focal lengths. Optical characteristics borrowed from Cooke’s other anamorphic series lenses include smooth defocus rendering, strong image structure, and controlled anamorphic artifacts for an overall balanced and natural recording quality. Where the SP3 prime characteristics appear is in their compatibility with interchangeable mounts, compact focusing, and built-in focus and iris scales. Additional cine-style design notes include 0.8 MOD gears and an M82 front filter thread.
Imaging
Timeless character, modern design
Anamorphic is a format that demands to be taken seriously and rewards patience over novelty. AP3 brings the optical pedigree of Cooke’s high-end anamorphic lineage into a compact, lightweight series built for modern mirrorless cameras. Balanced, purposeful and with the cinematic depth and character you’d expect from Cooke.
True anamorphic
AP3’s flare character is unmistakably anamorphic and entirely yours to work with. These are not manufactured effects or simplistic overlays; they are organic responses to light that adapt and embed themselves within a scene. The flares have depth and complexity, streaking with a classic anamorphic tint without ever limiting where you can shoot. Consistent and dependable across all three focal lengths, flares enhance without overwhelming.
Harmonious character
Defocus rendering is smooth and gradual – offering genuine dimension. Transitions between focus planes have an organic continuity that feels closer to how we experience depth in real life. Lens breathing becomes a creative instrument and as focus shifts it draws the viewer into the image, subtly deepening the sense of presence. AP3’s distortion is unmistakably anamorphic in character but never overbearing.
Beyond Focus
AP3’s bokeh is a product of its ground-up design. As a true 1.5x anamorphic lens it renders out-of-focus elements with a painterly quality that draws the eye but doesn’t distract. The impressionistic shape and dappled character remain consistent across the entire T-stop and focal length range.
Specifications
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Although built from the ground up as a new anamorphic design, AP3 shares some characteristics with Cooke’s modern anamorphic S35 2x and FF 1.8x lenses. It also shares hardware architecture and lens coatings with the SP3 making it possible to creatively combine lens series across a production. As a three-way set AP3 is a complete anamorphic; as a single-lens purchase it pairs naturally with an existing package for those building out a mixed kit.