Lomography announces new Petzval lens series for mirrorless

Lomography has introduced a new line of manual-focus lenses designed for modern mirrorless systems.

The Joseph Petzval Focus-Coupled Bokeh Control Art Lens Series (Now that's a title!) is based on the original 1840 Petzval portrait lens and reengineered for Sony E, Canon RF and Nikon Z mounts.

The full series includes five focal lengths: 27mm, 35mm, 55mm, 80.5mm and 135mm. The first two lenses, the 55mm f/1.7 and 80.5mm f/1.9, are available now, with the 35mm f/2.0 expected to follow shortly.

Additionally, 27mm and 135mm models are currently in development.

The new lenses feature a dedicated bokeh control ring, allowing photographers and videographers to adjust the swirl effect commonly associated with Petzval lenses.

This adjustment can be made without shifting focus, which is a first for this type of design.

Each lens produces a sharp image in the center, with gradual softening toward the edges. The optical design emphasises contrast and flare, with blooming highlights and veiling glare that contribute to a distinctive rendering style.

The lenses are designed with both photographers and videographers in mind. They include a 180-degree focus throw, standard gear positions for follow-focus systems, and smooth, stopless control rings for both focus and aperture.

Additionally, a chrome-plated bokeh control ring provides additional manual control over image rendering.

All lenses in the series are constructed from black anodised aluminium and include a built-in quarter-inch support mount for added stability.

The new lenses are named after Joseph Petzval, a mathematician, inventor, and physicist best known for his work in optics.

His original Petzval lenses were known for their fast aperture and unique rendering, qualities that made it popular for portraiture in the 19th century.

Lomography first adapted the Petzval design for modern cameras in 2013, targeting DSLR users. This new series continues that effort, offering a compact manual option for full-frame mirrorless systems.

Three of the five lenses are available now, starting at 499 EUR ($890 AUD). You can find out more about them at Lomography.