The Cooke Panchro Classic lenses are a modern revival of the legendary Cooke Speed Panchros, faithfully recreating their signature look while incorporating modern optical precision and mechanics. Designed for cinematographers who want the warmth and character of vintage glass without the quirks of aging lenses, the Panchro Classics bring a nostalgic cinematic aesthetic into contemporary filmmaking.
Optically, these lenses deliver the smooth, organic rendering that made the original Speed Panchros so beloved. They produce warm color reproduction, gentle contrast roll-off, and natural skin tones, avoiding the harsh sharpness of modern lenses. Their all-spherical design ensures a soft yet detailed image, with slightly elliptical bokeh and graceful focus fall-off that creates a strong sense of depth. Subtle aberrations and a touch of edge softness wide open add to their painterly, filmic quality, making them perfect for period pieces, intimate dramas, and projects that demand a classic Hollywood feel.
Unlike their vintage counterparts, Panchro Classics incorporate modern coatings that improve flare control while preserving the characteristic halation and glow that make older lenses so appealing. Wide-open performance is significantly improved, delivering cleaner, more consistent images across the frame, while maintaining that signature Cooke warmth. The focus mechanism is smoother and more precise, allowing for reliable focus pulls without the quirks of older mechanics.
With a full range of focal lengths from 18mm to 152mm, Panchro Classics offer versatility while maintaining a cohesive look across the set. Whether used alone or mixed with Cooke S7/i, 5/i, or even rehoused Speed Panchros, they provide a timeless, organic image with a perfect blend of vintage character and modern reliability.
The Cooke Panchro Classic lenses have been embraced in modern productions seeking a classic aesthetic, with notable projects including The Irishman (2019), Supernova (2020), and the music video for Apeshit by The Carters on their 2018 album Everything Is Love.