Following a licensing agreement with Nikon, high-end cinema lens manufacturer Cooke Optics has added Nikon Z to the list of available mirrorless mount options for its SP3 and AP3 compact lens series, making it possible to natively use the lenses on Nikon Z bodies and RED’s Z mount lineup.
Launched in September 2023, the Cooke SP3 primes series represents the company’s first attempt at bringing the legendary “Cooke Look” into a compact series of 6 prime lenses – spanning from 18mm up to 100mm – optimized for shooting on modern full-frame mirrorless cameras.
Cooke SP3 18mm T2.4 full-frame spherical prime lens. Image credit: Cooke Optics
Recently, these spherical primes were joined by their 1.5x anamorphic counterparts – the AP3 series, currently consisting of three focal lengths (35/50/85mm). Both series come in Sony E mount as standard, but the lens mount is user-interchangeable, and you can now opt for Nikon Z – on top of Canon RF, Leica L, or Leica M – as a secondary mount. Let’s take a look!
Cooke AP3 50mm T2.4 full-frame 1.5x anamorphic prime lens. Image credit: Cooke OpticsCooke SP3 and AP3 lenses on Nikon Z mount cameras
Truth be told, the Cooke SP3 and AP3 primes can already be paired with cameras such as the Nikon ZR or Z mount versions of the RED V-RAPTOR [X], V-RAPTOR XE, and KOMODO-X using a third-party adapter such as the Megadap ETZ21 Pro+ or the Viltrox E-Z.
One of the key advantages of Nikon’s Z mount is its adaptability and, given that the Cooke SP3 and AP3 are fully manual lenses, these adapters are typically fine. However, depending on the build quality and design of the adapter, this may introduce some play or even mechanically interfere with the camera’s Z mount – as in the case of the Megadap ETZ21 Pro+, which users have reported may scratch the gold locking ring of your Z mount RED camera. That’s why a native Z mount solution is generally preferred.
RED V-RAPTOR XE in Nikon Z mount. Image credit: Nikon / RED
The Cooke SP3 and AP3 lenses produce very pleasing images when paired with both RED and Nikon cameras, although using the AP3 lenses on Nikon bodies may prove to be a little cumbersome. Indeed, no Nikon camera to date supports anamorphic de-squeeze – a feature that has been high on users’ wish lists. Hopefully, this will soon change with the next, long-awaited Nikon ZR firmware update.
Price and availability
The Nikon Z mounts for Cooke SP3 and AP3 lenses are expected to start shipping in August. If you’re up for a new purchase, you can choose Nikon Z as the secondary mount. Alternatively, if you’ve already purchased a set of SP3 or AP3, you can pick up the Nikon Z mount as an additional accessory.
For more information, please visit Cooke’s website here.
How do you like the Cooke Look? Would you choose them in Nikon Z mount? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!