Carl Zeiss Jenas: A Cinematic Alternative to the Cooke SP3 Lenses for the Ronin 4D

Since the release of “Adolescence” on Netflix, filmmakers have been chasing the Cooke SP3 look.

That soft, modern-vintage aesthetic with warm roll-off, flattering skin and a nostalgic glow that sits beautifully on digital sensors. The show made Cooke SP3s explode in popularity overnight, but the reality is simple: the SP3 look isn’t the only way to achieve that feeling.

Our Carl Zeiss Jena Red MC set has become one of the most interesting alternatives.

These lenses deliver a vintage softness, a gentle contrast profile and a warm, emotional rendering that sits right in the same creative space as what everyone now calls “the Adolescence look,” but with a more organic vintage personality and at a fraction of the cost.

Our Jenas are fully rehoused, geared and converted to native E-mount, so they drop straight onto modern cinema bodies without adapters and they pair beautifully with the DJI Ronin 4D.

Why Filmmakers Are Choosing Jenas as an “Adolescence” Alternative

1. They have warm, flattering tones that feel natural on skin.

2. The subtle Red MC flare profile adds personality without distraction.

3. They create the same “modern nostalgia” vibe the SP3s are famous for.

4. They feel more organic and less clinical than modern Cooke coatings.

5. They’re significantly more affordable to rent for indie, commercial and music video work.

Why They Work So Well on the Ronin 4D

1. Native E-mount means zero adapters, direct mount and perfect balance.

2. Lightweight rehousings make them ideal for stabilised movement.

3. The 4D’s clean sensor pairs nicely with the Jena softness.

4. Focus and iris gears are unified across the set.

5. Great for handheld, tracking shots and stylised movement where the SP3s are usually used.

The combination of 4D stabilisation and vintage Zeiss character creates a very similar emotional softness to SP3s on gimbals but with more texture.

What Our Tests Show

1. Highlights bloom gently, similar to SP3s but slightly more vintage.

2. Colour separation is rich and filmic.

3. Flares stay controlled with a flattering reddish warmth.

4. Shadow detail holds better than expected from older optics.

5. Overall rendering feels perfect for romantic, emotional or youthful storytelling.

If you want to see test frames or compare against SP3s directly, we can provide samples.

Lens Set Details

1. 20mm

2. 29mm

3. 35mm

4. 50mm

5. 80mm

6. 135mm

All rehoused, matched and production-ready.

Pricing

£165 per day
for the full six-lens set.

A serious value for anyone chasing the “Adolescence” aesthetic without SP3 pricing.

When To Pick the Jenas Set

If your project wants the SP3 look: warm, nostalgic, soft, emotional but you want something with a bit more character and personality, the Jenas are a fantastic choice.

They give you the same cinematic tone with a more authentic vintage soul, and they perform beautifully on both traditional cinema cameras and the Ronin 4D.

They’re a perfect alternative for narrative projects, music videos, commercial mood pieces, and anything that needs the vibe that Adolescence made popular.