Perhaps digital imaging has reached the point where artistic intent can finally be free of technological angst. A fancy-looking, decidedly old-school lens from the Russian company Lomography is the subject of a highly successful Kickstarter campaign. The 185-year-old, 85mm focal-length lens looks and plays the part of an old-school antique, with a brass barrel and a manual focus knob that set a new standard for retro. Even changing aperture requires the photographer to replace little sliding inserts, and the maximum aperture is f/2.2. No accommodation was made for modernity, aside from the lens mount itself.
However, the images produced by the Petzval have artistic merit; mainly because of the swirly, dreamy bokeh (background blur) seen in the images. I’m not sure I’d want the swirly backdrop for every photo, but what a way to make instagram shots stand out. Read more about this “new” lens in Wired. Check out the Kickstarter page here.
Photo from Wired.com
Note the swirly bokeh
$400: 