Lomography Joseph Petzval 55mm F1.7 Bokeh Control Art Lens

The Lomography Joseph Petzval 55mm f/1.7 is a manual full-frame prime for Sony E, Canon RF and Nikon Z. It is the standard-length member of the Focus-coupled Bokeh Control series and follows Lomography's earlier Petzval 55 f/1.7 MKII. The target group is photographers and filmmakers who want a Petzval portrait and everyday lens with adjustable swirl.

Optical design

Lomography describes the lens as a reinvention of the original 1840 Petzval design with a sharp centre and softly blooming edges. A dedicated bokeh control ring lets you choose the strength of the swirl across seven levels. According to Lomography, the focus-coupling technology keeps the focus from shifting while you adjust the level. The maximum aperture is f/1.7, the closest focusing distance is 0.7 m, and the lens carries multi-coated glass. Lomography calls the focal length suitable for compressing perspective in portraits and for closing in on small details.

Focusing and handling

Focusing is manual only. Lomography gives a 180 degree focus throw and a Mod 0.8 gear for follow focus. The gear positions are identical across the series, which helps on video sets with several focal lengths. The iris is stopless and runs from f/1.7 to f/22. A second aperture system uses special shaped plates that drop in from the rear. Aperture, focus and bokeh rings are stopless, and a 1/4 inch support is built in.

Build and size

The body is made of anodized aluminium. The filter thread is 67 mm, so it matches the 35 mm and 80.5 mm lenses of the series. Lomography designed the lens for full-frame sensors and says it also works with crop sensors.

Where it fits

This lens follows the earlier Petzval 55 f/1.7 MKII, which is still listed on Lomography's Art Lens page. That older model already had a bokeh control ring and a long-throw focus ring but no focus-coupling. In the same series, the 35mm f/2 is wider and the 80.5mm f/1.9 is longer. Within the database, other swirl and character options include the Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Biotar 58mm f/1.5 II and the Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Seven bokeh levels without focus shift, according to Lomography
• Fast f/1.7 maximum aperture
• Classic standard focal length
• 180 degree focus throw and standard gear for follow focus
• Built-in 1/4 inch support
• Three mirrorless mounts

Cons

• Manual focus only
• Minimum focus distance of 0.7 m is longer than on the 35 mm
• The swirl and soft edges are not suited to a neutral rendering

Verdict

The Joseph Petzval 55mm f/1.7 is the most general purpose lens of the series. It offers a fast aperture, a familiar focal length and the same video-oriented controls as its siblings. Anyone who wants a single Petzval for portraits and everyday scenes will probably start here.