Petzval 58 1.9 on the M

[Huss]

So I just picked up a used Petzval 58 1.9 w the bokeh control, for a project I'm soon to shoot.

Of course I couldn't resist to test it on my M, to see the different effect of the bokeh settings.
The lens has about the shortest focus throw I've ever experienced.

Here it is a min focus distance, f 1.9 with max and min swirl dialed in.:

 

[goamules]

Interesting ability to change the coma, without changing the field curvature.

 

[mkorabo]

I get dizzy looking at the bokeh on the first one!

Just wondering what kind of project are you going to shoot with the lens?

 

[goamules]

Some people don't know that only the center, sharp part of a Petzval's coverage was used in their heyday as portrait lenses. The falloff, swirl, and other aberrations were purposefully cropped out, by using longer Petzvals (it is distinctly NOT a wide angle design).

The original Petzval design was great because of it's speed, and central sharpness. Their flaws were their edge effects, which were avoided by not having wild backgrounds, and using longer lenses, like I mention above. Here is an example of a classic, true Petzval, a Wollensak Vitax, by Stephane Polteau:

More here: https://www.flickr.com/search/?w=868027@N25&m=pool&q=vitax

You'll note few if any show the swirl, which Lomo has somehow exacerbated in their designs (I've seen cutaways, and the first one was NOT a Petzval design. Don't know on this one, but they've really focused on making the flaws very severe).

 

[Huss]

I actually love the look of the lens with min swirl dialed in. And it is cool that you can dial it the way you want. With min swirl and stopped down, the sharpness extends across the image if that is what you want.
This actually has become the most versatile lens that I own - including a bunch from Leica, Nikon, CV, Zeiss, Minolta - because while those have a look that has a variation on it depending on the aperture - this Petzval has multiple completely different looks depending on aperture and swirl dialed in.
I also have never owned a lens that flares as easily, and that is with the very deep lens hood attached!

 

[Huss]

2nd part of my Petzval/Leica M test. Shot wide open at 1.9. This time with an actual person before I arrange for the models.
Late afternoon sun, swirl settings minimum 1, 5 and 7. The lower the settings, the more of the image is sharp.
No matter the setting, it is always sharp in the center - displayed in the crop of the eyes where you can see the reflection of the palm trees etc sharp.
I'm gonna say it. I love this lens and the different looks it allows me. It's going to work great for what I have in mind.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I actually love the look of the lens with min swirl dialed in.

It does look quite good! Looking forward to see some of the results of your project.

 

[Brushless]

A very special lens