Cooke Varotal 20–100mm T3.1: Cooke's "foundational" zoom (1971)

The Cooke Varotal 20–100mm T3.1 is a 35mm zoom with a special place in the history of cinema optics. It was released in 1971 and is considered the first high-quality zoom lens designed for professional cinematography, with a completely new design concept that became the basis for later Cooke zooms. You can check availability in our cine lenses rental catalogue.

COOKE VAROTAL 20-100mm HIRE

COOKE VAROTAL 20-100 T3.1 LENS HIRE

• Type: classic cinema zoom (35mm), organic look, very cinematic character.
• Range: 20–100mm, from moderate wide angle to short telephoto.
• Aperture: T3.1 (constant in the model designation).
• Use: fiction, commercials, music videos and projects looking for a zoom "with personality".

Key technical specifications: Cooke Varotal 20–100mm T3.1

Within our range of spherical lenses hire and zooms, the Varotal stands out for its mechanical reliability and classic character.

Note: with classic lenses, parameters such as front diameter, weight and breathing may vary depending on version/service. For a firm quote, we will confirm the specs of the available lens.

Cooke Look® in a zoom: why the Varotal 20–100 is still in demand

In an era of very sharp sensors, many cinematographers look for lenses with character. The Cooke Varotal 20–100mm stands out for its organic rendering: smooth transitions, pleasant contrast and a more "cinematic" response than ultra-clinical modern optics.

• Classic look: ideal for skin, faces and highlights with natural roll-off.
• Narrative zoom: allows zoom moves and re-framing without cutting, very useful in fiction and commercials.
• Historical identity: a key point in the evolution of Cooke zooms (1971) and the conceptual base for later designs.

To combine the Varotal with other lens families, you can explore our cine lenses rental catalogue and the specific Cooke lenses hire category.

Recommended cameras for the Cooke Varotal 20–100 (PL mount)

These are common PL combinations on set. If you tell us your camera and sensor, we'll confirm compatibility and configuration, and we can add a camera body from our camera rental department.

• Arri Alexa Mini
• Arri Amira Premium
• Arri Alexa 35
• Arri Alexa 35 Xtreme
• Red Raptor ST

Recommended packs (to maximise zoom performance)

• Tripod/dolly setups: zoom + matte box + follow focus + ND filters.
• Commercials: zoom + filter set (ND/Black Pro-Mist or similar) + monitor and focus control.
• Fiction: Varotal zoom + Cooke primes for specific scenes (look matching).

You can explore more camera and gear categories in our film & TV equipment hire catalogue and complete your optics package with our camera rental services.

Cooke Varotal 20–100 rental in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga and Bilbao

We manage Cooke Varotal 20–100mm T3.1 rental with logistics and technical support for shoots all over Spain. If you also need a camera body or accessories, we can build a complete camera, lenses and grip package from our camera rental and film & TV equipment hire categories.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Cooke Varotal 20–100mm

Why is this zoom lens so well known?

The Varotal 20–100mm T3.1 was released in 1971 and is regarded as one of the first high-quality zoom lenses designed specifically for professional cinematography, with a design that influenced later Cooke zooms and a very recognisable look.

What kind of look does it offer compared to a modern zoom?

It tends towards a more organic rendering: warmth, gentler contrast and very pleasing skin tones. It is a typical choice when you are looking for a less "clinical" image with more personality.

What do I need to hire it?

Dates, city, camera (PL mount or adapter), insurance and whether you want it in a package with accessories (matte box, follow focus, filters, camera, etc.). We can design the configuration and logistics based on our film & TV equipment hire catalogue.

How much does the rental cost?

It depends on shooting days, availability and whether it is hired on its own or with camera/accessories. Send us your dates for a firm quote and, if needed, we can suggest alternatives within our cine lenses rental and Cooke lenses hire ranges.

Summary: Cooke Varotal 20–100mm rental at Camaleon Rental

The Cooke Varotal 20–100mm T3.1 is a classic 35mm zoom with Cooke Look®, robust mechanical design and a highly recognisable organic character. It offers a very useful focal range (20–100mm) with a constant T3.1 aperture and a warm, gentle aesthetic that makes it ideal for fiction, commercials and music videos seeking a less "clinical" look.

At Camaleon Rental we help you configure a Cooke Varotal 20–100mm pack tailored to your shoot, or to combine it with other Cooke lenses and camera bodies depending on the visual style, sensor format and production needs of your project.