Just to add a post script to this wonderful thread, I bought the lens.
Having never bought anything new, ever, this was quite daunting. Luckily, I bought it from Clive Russ, who is a seller of the first order, and a gentleman's gentleman.
He is also a master photographer of the old school, and all in all, a wonderful person to deal with.
Clive expertly mounted the lens, with spacer, onto a Technika board for me, in a brand new Copal 3 shutter.
A nice surprise is that the lens (not the shutter) comes with a one-year warranty.
The lens is quite stunning in appearance, and doubly so in performance; I am extremely pleased, and excited to make more images with it.
The detail, workmanship and machining on this lens is exceptional and first-rate, as befits both the Cooke name and the Cooke price tag.
The one downside is I can no longer blame my equipment for shoddy photos or my inattention to detail.
Thanks to all who participated in this thread, I hope it helped in some way.
Congratulations. What number did you get?
195 here. They must just be getting past 200 with the last shipment of lenses.
Nice; there is uncertainty about another production run, so you may be right about these being among the last made.
Oh, I think they'll keep making them as long as the pre-orders keep coming in. But if not, I'm glad I got in while I had the chance.
Congratulations, Ari!
Now if I win the lottery I don't have to buy you one.
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