New York, NY—Lomography launched the Petzval 55mm f/1.7 Mark II. The company’s first Petzval Art lens works exclusively with full-frame mirrorless cameras. The new lens is available in three versions: a satin finish; black painted brass; and black anodized aluminum. The brass design lends a vintage look while the aluminum design provides a contemporary feel. Moreover, the lens comes standard for Sony E, Canon RF and Nikon Z lens mounts.
Petzval 55mm f/1.7 Mark II Features
A tribute to Joseph Petzval’s first portrait lens of 1840, this lens produces an adjustable swirly b
okeh effect. And its 55mm focal length gets photographers closer to their subjects.
Unlike contemporary lenses that minimize field curvature to create images with higher overall sharpness, the Petzval 55mm is characterized by an optic that makes it “perfect for attaining crystal clarity, even alongside its signature swirly bokeh,” announced Lomography.
Its improved design, with a maximum aperture of f/1.7, allows contrasting images at smaller apertures. Yet it also provides a subtle, almost painterly rendering at larger apertures.
For greater control, the lens incorporates a dedicated bokeh control ring, which enables the adjustment of the bokeh in seven levels.
For added creativity, the Petzval 55mm also employs a dual aperture system. It features an 8-blade stopless aperture diaphragm as well as a secondary Waterhouse plate aperture system for special bokeh effects. “The lens gives you great freedom, not only because of the speed and versatility of the stopless aperture diaphragm, but also because you can integrate special aperture plates through the Waterhouse aperture system,” the company added.
In addition, the lens’s included aperture plates facilitate different shapes of bokeh for a greater range of creativity. It also features a dampened focusing ring for accurate manual focus.
Furthermore, with the expanding video performance features of today’s mirrorless cameras, Lomography recognized the need to make the Petzval 55mm f/1.7 more adaptable for filmmakers. As a result, it sports a new long-throw focusing ring and stopless aperture diaphragm. This allows videographers to seamlessly adjust focus and f-stop while the camera is rolling.
Lomo Petzval 55mm f/1.7 Pricing & Availability
The new Petzval 55mm f/1.7 is currently available for preorder. The Petzval 55mm f/1.7 black anodized aluminum version ships July 2019. The Petzval 55mm f/1.7 brass and black-painted brass versions will ship in August.
