Cooke Optics’ /i technology records focus, iris and zoom data from the lens. Here is how lens metadata helps camera crews, VFX teams and post-production.
Cooke Optics added digital intelligence to their new S4/i 15-40mm T2 CXX zoom lens. First delivery of the CXX was in March, and the lens will be at NAB2006 in the “35Digital” booth. The CXX can do things that other zooms cannot and offers features not found in other lenses.
The CXX lens is able to provide, via /i technology, real time, electronic feedback on lens setting, focus distance, aperture, depth-of-field and more, and the data can be read using a /i Data Display. The lens offers the ability to shoot at T2 with an overall T Stop ranging up to T22, and close focus at less than 7 inches from the front element. It features a focal length of 15 – 40mm and weighs 7.9 pounds. Cooke’s new Variable Vignetting Stop (patent pending) allows the CXX to maintain T2 speed and high resolution throughout the zoom range and adjusts automatically with no ramping or flare.
What is /i technology, anyway? For starters, the “i” stands for “intelligence” and involves integrating intelligence into motion picture lenses. The evolving /i system was developed by Cooke about a year ago and is now incorporated into their S4 Prime lenses as well as their new CXX zoom lens. Cooke has made it available as an open source system to other manufacturers.
The /i system is important as post production continues to move more toward digital for image correction and special effects. The /i system allows for a readout of real time lens settings on the set, as well as for capturing lens and camera settings, so valuable later to post production professionals.
Brant S. Fagan, SOC, was the first cinematographer to try out the CXX. “The /i technology is what gives you that all important lens data that can sometimes get lost when production moves at a ridiculous pace,” says Fagan. “The /i technology allows an efficient means of recording vital lens functions and data with outboard technology, be it a palm pilot, a computer, or an outboard display unit so that people either at the camera or away from camera can record that information.”
Other manufacturers are producing displays boxes and other gear using Cooke’s /i protocol, including Cinematography Electronics, Preston Cinema, C-Motion, Arri, and Service Vision, and software company, The Pixel Farm. Film production crews will benefit from having one standard built into the equipment they use for acquisition and post.
For lens specifications on the new Cooke CXX zoom, and more about /i technology check out www.cookeoptics.com.
Jody Michelle Solis can be reached at [email protected].
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