Due for launch in December, the Petzval 58 Bokeh Control Art Lens will be the fourth addition to the Lomography lens family.
Developed for Nikon F and Canon EF mounts, the brass-bodied lens will have a maximum aperture range of f/1.9 and use Russian-made optics. It should also work with a multitude of other cameras, say its designers.
A bokeh ring can be used to adjust the level of bokeh effects.
[Photo credit: Coco Alexander]
The Kickstarter website project page claims: ‘Using the Bokeh Control Ring on the New Petzval 58, you’re totally free to determine the strength of the swirly bokeh in your photos.
‘You can now get the characteristic swirly bokeh effect in ways it has never been possible before. This revolutionary component is the first of its kind on a Petzval lens.’
The launch is designed to mark the 175th anniversary of Joseph Petzval’s first lens and to mirror the look of 19th century Petzval lenses.
The Kickstarter site adds: ‘Way back in 1840, Professor Joseph Petzval invented a Portrait Lens in Vienna, Austria. The lens design had a profound impact on the photographic world and went on to be one of the most widely used optical designs of the 19th century.
‘Unfortunately however, older Petzval lenses are designed to work with larger format cameras and it’s hard to find good quality lenses which have stood the test of time.
‘That’s why in 2013, based on our huge love for the distinctive, breathtaking look of Petzval photographs and with the amazing support of the Kickstarter community, we invented the Lomography New Petzval 85mm Art Lens.
‘With over 3,000 backers, it was a huge success and renewed the world’s love for Petzval.
‘Since then, we’ve had loads of people asking for another Petzval lens with more exciting features.’
At the time of writing, the project had raised over $91,000 with 29 days until the fundraising deadline.
Technical details:
• Focal Length: 58mm
• Aperture: Waterhouse aperture stops, f/1.9, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16
• Image Circle: 44mm
• Field of View: 41 degrees
• Lens Mounting Profile: Canon EF and Nikon F
• Electronic Contacts: No
• Closest Focusing Distance: 0.6m
• Focusing Mechanism: Gear rack focusing
• Filter Thread: 52mm
• Bokeh Control Levels: 1 (minimum swirl) to 7 (maximum swirl)
For further details, visit Kickstarter
