The Cooke S2/S3 Speed Panchro TLS lenses are the most iconic vintage prime lenses in the history of cinema, with a modern cinematic rehousing by TLS (True Lens Services). The set combines two series that evolved over several decades: the 18mm and 25mm belong to the S3 series — designed to eliminate vignetting in 35mm format — while the 32, 40, 50, 75 and 100mm belong to the S2 series, in which optical performance was improved and the longer focal lengths were introduced. The result is a 7-lens set covering the full Super 35 format in PL mount with the unmistakable Cooke Look™: soft, organic, warm images, exceptional skin tone rendition, and a touch of distortion and vignetting that is particularly flattering for portraiture.
The TLS rehousing completely updates the original mechanics while fully preserving the classic optical character, giving these lenses a modern mechanical feel comparable to the Cooke S4: a uniform 110mm front diameter across the full set, 270° of focus rotation, standard 0.8 MOD focus and iris gears, and individually calibrated focus scales engraved on both sides of the barrel. Their aperture of T2.2 is consistent across all focal lengths except the 100mm (T2.6), ensuring even exposure when cutting between focal lengths within the same set. Very competitive minimum focus distance for vintage lenses: 20 cm on both the 18mm and 25mm.
Perfect for: cinematographers seeking the most classic, warm, and organic look in the history of cinema on Super 35 format — with that softness and painterly quality of Hollywood’s golden age that no modern lens can replicate —, for auteur productions, feature films, commercials, and any project that places visual character and beautiful skin tone rendition above all else.
