Everything old is new again: Hipster or Steampunk Petzval lens from Lomography?

ahbleza

This is definitely something for the Hipster or Steampunk crowd. Imagine rocking one of these EF or F-mount beasts on your Canon or Nikon DSLR. Designed in Vienna, made in Russia by Zenit.

http://photorumors.com/2013/07/25/lomography-kickstarts-a-petzval-portrait-lens-for-nikon-and-canon-dslr-cameras/

Petzval Portrait Lens

Technical specifications

Focal length: 85mm
Maximum aperture: f/2.2
Apertures: Waterhouse aperture set
Minimum image circle: 44mm
Field of view: 30 degrees
Flange distance: > 46.5mm
Back focal length: >46.5mm
Lens mounting Profile: Canon EF and Nikon F
Electronic contacts: No
Closest focusing distance: 1m
Vignetting: 2-3EV from center to edges
Optic/ Lens tube special features (optional): Gear rack focusing
Filter thread requirement: 67mm

Vitaliy_Kiselev

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/lomography-x-zenit-85mm-f-2-2-petzval-art-lens-review-24105

DouglasHorn

I'm going to start a business buying up all the crap lenses that don't sell on Ebay and invent a story about why the disturbing flaws are actually super awesome. I will sell them exclusively to people with ironic facial hair and hats that are slightly too small.

IronFilm

Too late, people are already beating you to it...

http://cinescopophilia.com/dog-schidt-optiks-or-if-you-prefer-dog-shit-lenses/

DouglasHorn

Right but at least they do some customization and all. I will simply purchase broken-ass old lenses and proclaim them to be made glorious by how shoddy they are.

eatstoomuchjam

Except that the swirly bokeh of a Petzval lens usually isn't seen as a "disturbing flaw" so much as a desirable effect. Some of the other design decisions with the lens were questionable, but I like mine enough so far!

jleo

Those new Petzvals look like a Schneider Cinelux projector lens. ....Now you're giving me ideas here...might pick up some glass ashtrays or candy dishes from the dollar store, call them something like a Krapp-Meisner Kruzsnatch Special Effect lens. Each delivers a nice swirly something if not bokeh. If P.T. Barnum is right, a sucker...uh, er...ebay customer will buy one, then everyone will want one!

eatstoomuchjam

Remind me again since my history isn't always the best, during which 70-year period of photographic history was the predominant portrait lens an ashtray shoved in front of a camera?

jleo

Video footage with the Petzval, ( Kickstarter page doesn't use youtube)

Video from another vintage lens, a 1908 Wollensak Cine-Velostigmat f5:

nachelsoul

The video that I think inspired the Lomo Petzval.

BTW it is mine :D

DouglasHorn

The footage from the real Petzval lens (1:12 in YouTube video plus all of the @nachelsoul video shots) doesn't look anything like the one their selling. The bokeh isn't swirly at all. There's just a gradual falloff in sharpness as well as a gradual, subtle vignetting both of which draws the eye to the center of image. The drop-in aperture seems different as well.

Most of this look is just low contrast, low sharpness, slight CA, and vignette. Lots of cheap old lenses have this look.

eatstoomuchjam

The video that @nachelsoul posted was shot with a Tessar lens design from 1919 (according to the description), not a Petzval. I'm not sure why you'd suggest that the modern Petzval isn't a "real" Petzval either. It's a lens design like the Tessar, Gauss, or Plasmat designs. Classic Petzval lenses were made by a number of companies, not just one.