Cooke 18mm T2.8 miniS4/i
The Cooke 18mm T2.8 is a 18mm f/2.8 cinema lens designed for PL Mount mount cameras. Used copies start from $8,000 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Cooke 18mm T2.8 miniS4/i
Used Cooke 18mm T2.8 Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Cooke 18mm T2.8
Key Features — Cooke 18mm T2.8
18mm Wide Angle Prime: Fixed 18mm focal length delivers a broad field of view suited to establishing shots, interiors, and dynamic handheld or gimbal work.
T2.8 Maximum Aperture: T-stop rating reflects actual light transmission, ensuring consistent exposure when cutting between lenses in a matched miniS4/i set.
Super 35 Coverage: Designed to cover the Super 35 format, aligning with the sensor size used across the majority of professional cinema camera systems.
PL Mount: Industry-standard cinema mount ensures broad compatibility with professional cameras from ARRI, RED, Sony, and others.
Manual Focus Design: Smooth, precise focus ring built for repeatable focus pulls by a dedicated focus puller in professional cinema workflows.
/i Technology Metadata: Built-in /i Technology lens data protocol transmits real-time lens information — including focus distance and aperture — to the camera and on-set metadata systems.
Lens Specifications — Cooke 18mm T2.8
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Studio, Video / Cinematography |
| Lens Type | Cine |
| Format | Super 35 |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 18mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Camera System | Cinema / Video |
| Lens Mount | PL Mount |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Weight | 1300g |
Description — Cooke 18mm T2.8
The Cooke 18mm T2.8 miniS4/i is a Prime cinema lens in the Wide Angle focal length category, built specifically for Super 35 format cinema production. It features a PL Mount, the professional standard for digital cinema cameras, and a maximum aperture of T2.8 — a true T-stop rating that reflects actual light transmission for consistent exposure matching across a lens set. Weighing 1,300 grams, it is designed to handle the demands of professional rigged camera builds.
Focus is manual only, which aligns with standard cinema production practices where a focus puller manages critical focus adjustments. The lens carries no image stabilization, placing stabilization responsibility on the camera rig or support system. With its 18mm fixed focal length, it delivers a wide perspective suited to a broad range of cinematic applications, from large-scale environment shots to confined interior scenes.
This is a straightforward, purpose-driven tool for Super 35 cinema work.
Pros — Cooke 18mm T2.8
- ✓T2.8 maximum aperture provides consistent, measurable light transmission across a matched lens set
- ✓PL Mount ensures broad compatibility with professional cinema camera systems
- ✓Super 35 format coverage aligns with the dominant sensor size in professional cinema production
Cons — Cooke 18mm T2.8
- ✗No image stabilization, requiring external stabilization solutions for handheld or moving shots
- ✗Manual focus only means no autofocus capability for solo operators or run-and-gun workflows
- ✗No filter thread size listed, which may complicate filter integration planning
Videos — Cooke 18mm T2.8
Biofilms.cz - Cooke Mini S4i T2.8 PL (18mm, 25mm, 32mm, 50mm, 75mm) lens test — Biofilms
Frequently Asked Questions — Cooke 18mm T2.8
What camera mount does the Cooke 18mm T2.8 miniS4/i use?+
This lens uses a PL Mount, which is the standard mount for professional cinema cameras. It is not compatible with DSLR or mirrorless mounts without an adapter.
What sensor format does this lens cover?+
The Cooke 18mm T2.8 miniS4/i is designed to cover Super 35 format sensors, which is the most common sensor size in professional digital cinema production.
Is the T2.8 aperture the same as f/2.8?+
No. T-stops measure actual light transmission through the lens, whereas f-stops are a theoretical calculation based on focal length and aperture diameter. T2.8 is the value specified for this lens and should not be treated as equivalent to f/2.8 when matching exposure across a lens set.
Does this lens support autofocus?+
No, the Cooke 18mm T2.8 miniS4/i is a manual focus lens only. This is consistent with professional cinema lens design, where focus pulling is performed manually by a dedicated crew member.
How heavy is this lens?+
The lens weighs 1,300 grams, which is a practical weight for integration into a rigged cinema camera build without placing excessive strain on the camera body or support system.