Stratton DP chooses Cooke Anamorphic/i lenses with soul

Cinematographer Felix Wiedemann has chosen Anamorphic/i lenses from Cooke Optics, the multi-award winning manufacturer of precision lenses for film and television, to shoot the action thriller Stratton.

The choice to shoot anamorphic was partly for the aspect ratio, but also because I like the look of anamorphic lenses and the way they render 3D space into a 2D image, said Wiedemann. I tested the Cooke Anamorphic/i's and immediately liked what I saw. They give a sharp image that holds contrast and colour separation. Beyond the sharpness they've got soul - there's something beyond the technical performance of the lens, you get a warm feeling from them.

Together with the director, Simon West, Wiedemann wanted to create a naturalistic, atmospheric look to bring the audience closer to the lead character, an SBS commando. If it looks real, the actions and the stunts feel more dangerous, said Wiedemann. I kept the lighting very natural and was really impressed with how the Cooke Anamorphic/i's held the colour equally well in bright beach shots, dark moody scenes and underwater scenes. They brought out all the nuances within each shot.

Wiedemann used the full range of Cooke Anamorphic/i lenses, but particularly liked the 25mm lens. It's rare to find a good wide anamorphic lens that doesn't distort too much at the edges - the 25mm handled it really well and we got some epic wide shots, he said. I'm also looking forward to using Cooke's new 65mm macro anamorphic lens - I love close focus work and it will be perfect for that.

Stratton was shot on ARRI ALEXA and ALEXA Mini. Currently in post-production, the film is due for release in 2016.

About Cooke Optics, LTD.

Cooke is a storied name in both cinematographic and ultra-high-end professional photography markets. Known worldwide for their precision, exacting tolerances and superior quality, Cooke lenses are specified by many of the world's most respected cinematographers. Cooke is also the developer behind /i Technology, the protocol enabling vital lens and camera information to be captured and passed digitally to post-production teams. Cooke was honoured with a 2013 Academy Award of Merit (an Oscar statuette) for its continuing innovation in the design, development and manufacture of motion picture camera lenses. Features in production or recently shot with Cooke lenses include The Intern, Born to Dance, Monolith,Trainwreck, Ex Machina, Everest, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Straight Outta Compton, The Man from U.N.C.L.E,The Grand Budapest Hotel, Paddington, andWhiplash. Television shows in production or recently shot with Cooke lenses include Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Penny Dreadful,Fargo, Orange is the New Black, Breaking Bad, Killing Lincoln, Person of Interest,The Client List, Chicago Fire, Game of Thrones, andDownton Abbey.

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