Lens Maker Wins Oscar

In some posts we've been discussing it's all about the content, but some would argue the world's best content is nothing without the glass.

Hollywood agrees, awarding a special Oscar to Cooke Optics the British lens makers of choice for many top level Cinematographers.

The "Cooke Look" is described as "a sharp, subtle, smooth rendering that provides dimensionality and high contrast, and pleases the eye."

As I learn more about lenses I gain deeper appreciation for the lens related comments some of our more experienced members have shared. How Simon Wood sought out older lenses to add to a collection he could always depend on, or Kristopher Sieb who found the Rokinon's value met his criteria for the super slowmo he loves to capture.

Most shooters in the know will tell you cameras come & go but a good set of glass is a lifelong investment.

As I'm endeavoring to increase my knowledge bank in these areas, I thought I'd share a handy table from the Cooke Optics site, it's a free pdf of charts for Depth Of Field . Handy to know the minimum & maximum distance from the camera that an object can be in focus, using a particular focal length of lens (18mm, 25mm, 32mm, 50mm, etc.). They're using the T classification rather than FStops, which seems to be the industry standard now, offering a more accurate or precise measurement of light throughput thru the lens. However, for our purposes of ascertaining Depth of Field in relation to lens & aperture, T & FStop numbers are so close as to be inconsequential in most instances. Now, granted this set of charts applies specifically to the Cooke Optic cine lens line, but perhaps this pdf will be a helpful guide to lenses in general, helping you to gain greater understanding of where your subjects are in focus using a particular focal length & F-Stop.

One slight caveat; my background has been in writing, directing, producing & to some extent marketing & distribution, so shooting & editing are relatively new fields for me. Albeit exciting fresh avenues to greater assist in the dissemination of one's creativity & passion. With that in mind, I trust that if I make a mistake in my terminology or technical understanding one of you will kindly correct me without fear of ego bruising on my part.