Performance and specifications of the Cooke CXX 15-40mm T2 zoom lens for Steadicam and handheld cinematography

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2006Cameras (Film/Video/HD) forum

20 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

The Cooke CXX is a 15-40mm T2 PL mount zoom lens designed for Steadicam and handheld use with no focus breathing and smooth focus action.
The lens weighs 7.9 pounds with dimensions of 9 inches from front to mount and provides a 30mm image circle suitable for Super 35 format.
The lens has a close focus distance of 18 inches and includes LDS ports and built-in LDS contacts for outboard data systems.
When mounted on a Steadicam with camera bodies like the Varicam using a PRO35 adapter, the lens delivered smooth, dolly-like moves and stable imagery in tight spaces.
Alternative lightweight zoom options include the Angenieux Optimo 15-40 at 4.4 pounds (T2.6 minimum aperture) and the ARRI Zeiss LWZ-1 at 4.4 pounds (T2.6 minimum aperture), both lighter than the Cooke CXX.
The additional weight of the Cooke CXX compared to lighter alternatives may be beneficial for stabilizing certain camera bodies during dialogue or walking shots.

The evaluation was based on a single commercial production use.
The Angenieux and ARRI alternatives mentioned have slightly slower minimum apertures (T2.6 versus T2) and different specifications that may affect suitability for specific applications.
No quantitative data on focus breathing or comparative optical quality testing was provided.
Balance shift characteristics during focus racking were not explicitly tested or reported.