Now that you've probably read about the first impressions of various tech websites and magazines about Lomography's Petzval Lens project, we bet you're itching to know what some of today's popular photography websites think of this latest venture. Read insights from The Phoblographer, Pop Photo, Shooting Film, and a handful more after the jump!
The Phoblographer
We had a surefire feeling that Lomography would be trying to take a step into the more serious direction after they announced their Bel-Air camera–but we had no idea that it would be this badass. A couple of days ago, we received the news about their just announced Petzval Portrait Lens for Canon and Nikon DSLRs and SLRs, and we were all freaking out.
Pop Photo
Optically, the Petzval is very interesting. The field of focus is actually curved rather than flat like it is in modern lenses, which means the center of the frame will be sharp, but that sharpness will fall off as you approach the sides of the frame. This also gives it a really distinct circular bokeh, which looks really impressive, especially when you’re shooting wide open.
Shooting Film
The new Lomography Petzval lens has great color saturation and high contrast. The resolution of the focused area of each photo is extremely high. […]It’s the ideal portrait lens!
The Photography Blog
The Comeback of the Year: the first and greatest portrait glas lens of all times, reinvented & reengineered for your nowadays Canon and Nikon (D)SLR Cameras!
Pdexposures
While it’s true we here at Pdesxposure have given Lomography grief in the past based on some of their products, it’s impossible to deny that they are very good at one thing: coming up with any wild film photography idea and getting it produced.
Digital Photography Review
What’s (really) old is new again in their latest Kickstarter campaign, an effort to bring the centuries-old Petzval lens back into production. The ‘New Petzval’ lenses look an function much like the originals with a brass exterior, and would be produced in both Canon EF- and Nikon F-mounts.
The Photo Brigade
Lomography’s new design has been shrunk down to fit 35mm SLR’s and DSLR’s, but has retained the antique-brass appearance and focusing wheel of the original Petzval and is made by Zenit, an optics company based out of Russia.
Imaging Resource
The lens is now difficult to find and expensive, but the folks at Lomography have just announced they are attempting to bring the Petzval lens back to life for the digital agethrough a Kickstarter campaign.
In case you missed the previous press posts about the Petzval (D)SLR Art Lens, check out What magazines are saying about the Lomography Petzval (D)SLR Art Lens and What tech websites are saying about the Lomography Petzval (D)SLR Art Lens!
The new Lomography Petzval (D)SLR Art Lens is a reinvention of the legendary portrait glass lens that first appeared in the 19th century. Our version is a high-quality glass optic that makes it possible for Canon and Nikon analogue and digital SLR mount cameras to yield the famous Petzval look – sharp focus areas with unique bokeh effects, strong color saturation, and artful vignettes. It’s a distinct look that goes far beyond using photo editing software and filters.
Fund this project on Kickstarter and help us bring back this extraordinary lens for 21st century photographers and filmmakers!
Want to learn more about the Petzval lens? Check out:
On the Petzval lens
The Petzval Lens: A Breakthrough in Optics
The Man Behind the Lens: Joseph Petzval
The Lomography Petzval (D)SLR Art Lens Design
Analogue & Digital Portraits Shot with the Lomography Petzval Lens
On the Kickstarter campaign
Exclusively Available On Kickstarter: The New Petzval (D)SLR Art Lens
The New Petzval Lens in a Visual Nutshell
The Lomography Petzval Portrait Lens: An Introduction To Kickstarter Mechanics
The Lomography Petzval Portrait Lens: Shipping & Delivery