Petzval ... ????

[Almass]

In my collection of silly lenses, two stand out for their circular bokeh, in case this is what you are after, namely the Biotar 75/1.5 (second version with more swirly bokeh - first version better for portraits) and the Trioplan 100/2.8 which is the poor man's Biotar.....kind of Ferrari and Maserati.

I would not buy a Petzval...old or new.

Here is a pic of the Trioplan.

[Gary]

Thank you Almass. I will definitely look into these lens. I appreciate you providing specific information.

[paul_k]

Got a Lomography 2.2/85mm Petzval last year

Didn't so much buy it for the circular bokeh, but more for the very characteristic shallow Dof when used (nearly) wide open, and steep sharpness drop off outside the distinctly limited sharp image centre.

Focusing even on (slowly) moving subjects turned out to go much easier on my DF then I expected despite the antique gear rack system, although it admittedly takes some getting used to

[Gary]

Thank you Paul K ... and those images are very nice.

[pluton]

Based on these shots, especially the first one, the Petzval look seems very appropriate for portrait use.
Gary, if you are going to be shooting on a Fujifilm X cam, the 85mm FOV on APS-C may be a bit on the long side(FF=127mm);  I've used my old Nikon  55mm/1.2 lens on my Fujifilm cam.  Wide open it's loaded with aberrations, but there are limitations as well:  The effect is strongest wide open, and largely disappears by f/2.8.  Also, there are a lot of color aberrations on the OOF zones, including deep greenish cyan fringing,  so often conversion to monochrome works better.

[Tektrader]

I dunno, BUT I AM LOVING THE LOOK of the Petzval.

That purple flower photos is really great and the portraits are wonderful. I am just not sure I could use it. Though I want to..

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

Why would I need a new Petzval, as there are plenty excellet ones around since many decades...

[Jakov Minić]

Dr Klaus, the first shot is truly magical!

[Frank Fremerey]

I love the first one Klaus. It reminds me of this line by the Beatles: "cellophane flowers of yellow and green towering over your head, look for the girl with the sun in her eyes and she is gone..."


PS: Where can I buy a Petzval in great condition for Nikon F?

[Gary]

I love the first one Klaus. It reminds me of this line by the Beatles: "cellophane flowers of yellow and green towering over your head, look for the girl with the sun in her eyes and she is gone..."


PS: Where can I buy a Petzval in great condition for Nikon F?

Me too! I am sold.

[Jakov Minić]

Now I got interested, too
I love blurry and bokeh capable lenses.
A quick search on eBay resulted in:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Cyclop-1-5-85-Helios-40-2-M42-Portrait-Objektiv-bokeh-monster-Petzval-swirl-/261997564089?hash=item3d004590b9
It's not expensive but it's an M42 mount lens.
Wouldn't know how difficult it would be to modify for Nikon f-mount?

[Frank Fremerey]

Thank you Jakov. The text says the linked lens has *no* aperture at all and is in M42 (is this adaptable to Nikon)?

[Frank Fremerey]

Thank you Jakov. The text says the linked lens has *no* aperture at all and is in M42 (is this adaptable to Nikon)?

This one is breathtaking too: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tuvidaloca/16913663113/in/pool-1516820@N25/

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Lenses with M42 threads can be adapted to Nikon. However, you might, depending on the lens build, lose infinity focus unless the lens is modified to negate the difference in register distance.

Having seen some examples of the "Cyclop" in action I doubt infinity focus is that important in the end, though.

[Frank Fremerey]

Thank you Bjørn!