Petzval Lens: How-to

Compatibility

The New Petzval 85 Lens comes in 2 lens mount variations. You can purchase a New Petzval 85 Lens with Canon EF mount, or one with a Nikon F mount. The lens works with both analogue and digital cameras with this type of lens mount.

Lens Design

Most modern lenses are designed to minimize field curvature, so you’ll have the whole image in focus. But the New Petzval 85 Lens design gives its photos a totally different optical effect. You’ll get an area which is very sharp at the focus of the photograph over a narrow field. There is then progressive vignetting towards the non-focused areas; this helps draw the viewer’s attention to the crisp and focused area of the photograph.

Calibrating Your New Petzval 85 Lens

We designed the Petzval aperture plates so that you can adjust each one to perfectly fit inside your lens. Using some pliers, simply bend these two small parts on each side and this will prevent any possible slippage. Be careful not to bend them too much so that they still fit.

Changing The New Petzval 85 Lens Focusing Knob

If you would like to change the focusing knob on your New Petzval 85 Lens to a different one, you can do so by following the instructions below. However, please note that this modification is taken at your own risk, in general we recommend using the focusing knob which already comes attached to your New Petzval 85 Lens.

  • When you remove the screw from the focusing knob, make sure that you are using a screwdriver with a width of 1.5mm, and which fits perfectly to the the pin screw.
  • There may be some glue around the screw to tighten the whole focusing knob. You may apply some solvent (e.g.thinner) to soften the glue before removing the screw.
  • When removing the screw, be sure to apply enough vertical pressure and turn it slowly, in order not to break the tiny cross screw head.

Below are views of the New Petzval 85 Lens when attached to cameras with varying crop factors. Each photo shown here was taken from exactly the same position and using the same camera settings. Underneath the photos are links so you can view each shot in high resolution.

Petzval Technical Information Downloads

Download the Petzval Technical Data Sheet

FAQs

  • I have both a Canon EF and Nikon F camera. Will my lens work with both?

    Unfortunately each New Petzval 85 Lens is designed with either a Canon or Nikon mount, so your lens will not automatically work with both. It is possible to get an adapter which makes it possible to shoot with a Nikon lens on a Canon camera body (but not an adapter from Canon lens to Nikon body, since the flange distance is longer for Nikon than Canon).

    We would however strongly advise against using such adapters with the New Petzval 85 Lens since each lens is precisely calibrated using a collimator for perfect infinite focusing in our production factory. We cannot accept any responsibility for damage to your camera or lens caused by using such an adapter.

  • My DSLR isn’t a full frame image sensor. What difference will this make to my Petzval photos?

    The Lomography New Petzval 85 Art Lens is totally compatible with cameras without a full frame sensor. However, on cameras with a smaller image sensor there will be a crop factor so you so you may notice a lesser effect than with a full frame sensor camera. On a crop-sensor camera, the sensor is smaller; so you effectively get a crop of the image you would have got from a full-frame sensor camera.

    Below are views of the New Petzval 85 Lens when attached to cameras with varying crop factors. Each photo shown here was taken from exactly the same position and using the same camera settings. Underneath the photos are links so you can view each shot in high resolution.

  • Are the New Petzval 85 Lenses coated and is the lens waterproof/weatherproof?

    All New Petzval 85 Lens elements are multi-coated in a special formula to protect them. However, we cannot disclose the full details of the materials due to industry standards.

    Like most manual lenses, the New Petzval 85 is not weather/waterproof. However, to prevent dust particles getting into the aperture slots, there is a lining material to cover the Waterhouse aperture slots. The Lens also comes with a special ‘blank’ aperture ring which can be inserted to cover the aperture slot when the lens is not in use.

    The lens can also be taken apart to clean inside if any dust happens to get in; however, we recommend that this type of lens cleaning is only done by a qualified lens technician to avoid damage to your wonderful lens.

Do you own a store and would like to sell the Lomography New Petzval 85 Art Lens? Or perhaps know of a store you would like to suggest to stock the lens? Please get in touch with us at orders@lomography.com so we can discuss opportunities with you!