Not-a-Lomo Petzval Kickstarter

Frank Petronio

Frank Petronio

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So I turned on messaging in order to sell a lens and low and behold I get axed to promote a Kickstarter of all things. I loath Kickstarter... but this project does seem pretty cool and they've got some serious backing already so I'll give you a head's up:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects...38-120-mm-medium-format-petzval-port?ref=city

By this not-native-English speaker chap: http://ivanichek.com/

OK my usual disclaimers: I do not know anyone involved. I would not ever in a million years support a Kickstarter of any form. And having already wasted good and serious money appeasing the Petzval Gods when I was young and dumb, I would never buy another mushy lens like that.

But go for it! My faint praise is another's validation. It's worth a gander at least, better than talking about kamera straps and krappy digital cameras!
 
Don't look like he's going to make the goal. Too bad for a fellow film traveller and resident of where I make my home. I don't have the means or cameras to take up the offer to become a backer on this one.

I have backed one Kickstarter but have not seen the product yet. But even if worse came to worse (I don't believe it will) I'd only be out $99 and I can afford a loss like that once every couple of years or so.
 
If you don't know the Petzval, it was the sharpest, fastest lens design from the 1850s until the 1930s....the most successful lens type ever. Every studio had at least one, as their main portrait lens. Here is a Flickr group with people's photos taken on all formats. Mostly large and medium because there were never many small format petzvals for a variety of technical reasons. Though Cooke and other early Cinema lenses were often Petzvals.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/868027@N25/
 
I have taken the gamble -let's see if it works. I have already destroyed one Pentax 67 lens trying to make something exotic out of it, so perhaps this guy can do better.
 
goamules said:
If you don't know the Petzval, it was the sharpest, fastest lens design from the 1850s until the 1930s....the most successful lens type ever. Every studio had at least one, as their main portrait lens. Here is a Flickr group with people's photos taken on all formats. Mostly large and medium because there were never many small format petzvals for a variety of technical reasons. Though Cooke and other early Cinema lenses were often Petzvals.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/868027@N25/
Click to expand...
Not exactly. It's fast and sharp over a narrow angle. Good for long portrait lenses, cine and projection, but useless for standards and wides.

Cheers,

R.
 
mfogiel said:
I have taken the gamble -let's see if it works. I have already destroyed one Pentax 67 lens trying to make something exotic out of it, so perhaps this guy can do better.
Click to expand...

Here are a couple of my attempts; one with the 6x7, and a Hollywood Reflex lens:

10806448944_e4fcb40571.jpg


and this is a First Six camera:

4371481464_2ec8f7584a.jpg


Fun to play with but just like a toy.

I wish him luck, I like anything that is odd.
 
I've decided to back this project. I think this lens will be great on my Hasselblad 201F. I'm working on a series of B&W portraits called "Dreams and Memories", and the Petzval look will work for it.

It's very difficult (and expensive) to find a suitable vintage Petzval lens appropriate for 6x6 format, and then to have it adapted to Hasselblad mount.

So the price of this lens (if it comes to light) is quite fair in my opinion.

I wish Denys Ivanichek ("Retrospective" here on RFF) all the luck and interest in his project.

Merry Christmas all!
 
Roger Hicks said:
I'm not backing him because I prefer bigger formats and I'm feeling poor at the moment -- but I wish him luck.


R.
Click to expand...

Same here... I guess I am not too interested because I think the Petzval look is really best on large format film. I disagree with the designer that it looks realistic in medium format. If you want to do it, you should do it right. Besides, there are already lenses that achieve swirly background look in 35mm and MF.

In general, I think DIY ideas like this are going to become more and more important as film continues to decline--but I see no need for this specific project.
 
It looks, like another one or two backers are necessary in order to make the treshold - anyone wants to jump in at the last moment?
 
I second the motion!

Come on guys, get behind someone who is actually doing/making something for people like us.

We all sit here wondering about what the big company guns will offer us when they get around to it. Here, we have a Real photographer who knows his stuff and is willing to MAKE something on a small scale for small market. If we don't support people like Denys, then what are we here for?
 
I would like to thank all my backers for their generous support in funding the Petzvar medium format Petzval lens project! I will do my best in order to make the lens available by May.
Please, feel free to contact me at any time.
Denys
 
I assume that those that were interested in this lens know that Denys fulfilled his promise and made deliveries autumn of last year. I have not had the opportunity to use mine much, though I have used it for a few shots. For the price it is well made, surprisingly light, and works as promised.

I bought a P6 mount for myself, and a Hassy V-mount on behalf of a friend:


0070 meets 0032 by Eirik Russell Roberts, on Flickr


A couple of examples, the last two exhibiting mad swirley bokeh:


Christer by Eirik Russell Roberts, on Flickr



Thomas by Eirik Russell Roberts, on Flickr



Georg by Eirik Russell Roberts, on Flickr



Berit by Eirik Russell Roberts, on Flickr
 
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