The Neptune Convertible Art Lens System pays homage to one of the fathers of photography — inventor of the first ever photographic optic lens, Charles Chevalier. A leading Parisian optician, Chevalier began designing lenses when he was little more than a teenager. In 1835, he designed a lens for Louis Daguerre’s Daguerreotype camera, and the two gave the world practical photography.
More Than a Century Later
Ever the innovator, in the late 1830s Chevalier handcrafted the world’s first convertible photographic optic lens. Drawing inspiration from an 1834 telescope design, the Lunette à Verres Combinés, Chevalier aimed for the stars and invented a photographic lens system that could be taken apart and reassembled to create different focal lengths. Voilà — the convertible lens was born. As photography evolved his concept endured, with more convertible lenses being released throughout the 20th century.
The Journey Has Only Just Begun
Inspired by the compelling history of the convertible lens, we’ve upgraded and re-defined this classic concept with a host of new creative features to create a comprehensive lens system for a wide range of modern-day analogue and digital cameras. The Neptune Convertible Art Lens System is three prime lenses of exceptional optical quality in one. It covers three focal lengths essential to photography — 35mm, 50mm and 80mm — and we’re already designing new lens components with unique special effects and possible focal lengths ranging from 15mm to 400mm so that your Art Lens System can grow alongside your creativity.