For Sale Medium format Petzval portrait lens. Petzvar f/3.8 120mm

Denys · Dec 2, 2013

Barry S said:
Interesting project. I don't know if you have the optical design locked in, but the swirl seems excessive to me. The best properties of the Petzval have nothing to do with swirl--which is a one-trick pony. In any case good luck with your kickstarter, I think it's great that people are reproducing a classic lens design that still has a place in photography.

Thank you for your comment. I know exactly what you mean, but the lens is just an instrument and can be used in different ways by different photographers. Those sample shots were taken to show the lens' ability to produce a "signature" swirls, but it is very easy to take a pictures without it, by using a smaller apertures, or placing the subject at different distances,or simply by cropping the final image. Using a smaller sensor cameras will cut the swirls off too. I'm sure you know what I mean - it is not always easy to get those swirls from the Petzval, but you can, if you want to.

nwilkins · Dec 2, 2013

this looks great - if you ever decide to make one for the Mamiya RB series let me know!

Denys · Dec 2, 2013

nwilkins said:
this looks great - if you ever decide to make one for the Mamiya RB series let me know!

Thanks! Sure, I will. But it won't be soon. Currently I'm working on lens with Hasselblad " V " mount for 2000 or 200 series.

nsurit · Dec 4, 2013

Is anyone else having problems with Kickstarter on this project? I've tried to participate and Kickstarter has been a "no starter" for me. Bill Barber

Three Owls · Dec 4, 2013

I'm only vaguely interested because of the mount.
If I had a system with the mount I'd be very interested.
I wouldn't buy into a new system because of the lens.

I would be very interested in Petzval cells that could mount into a modern LF style shutter, even a Copal 3 or 3s.
I would also be very interested in something for the RB67 system which I have, which is cheap, and which can easily be hacked into a lensboard if you want to use it on something else.
I might even be interested in a 'blad 500 lens.

Just my two bits. It's not like I'm making the thing. Maybe one day....

nsurit · Dec 4, 2013

Solved the Kickstarter issue. I'm in. Good luck on the project. Buying into a new system? Not really, just buying into about a $900 camera and lens. Much less than several I aleady own.

Denys · Dec 5, 2013

nsurit said:
Solved the Kickstarter issue. I'm in. Good luck on the project. Buying into a new system? Not really, just buying into about a $900 camera and lens. Much less than several I aleady own.

Thank you, Bill! Yes, when the price of the camera body is under a 200$ including the metering prism and a film magazine, I would not call it "Buying a new system". When Leica S2 cameras came to market, a friend of mine bought himself an adapter for using a Hasselblad lenses with it. He paid 365$ for adapter only.

AgX · Dec 5, 2013

If you consider spending 200$ not as buying, you got too much money.

Denys · Dec 5, 2013

AgX said:
If you consider spending 200$ not as buying, you got too much money.

Of course, that is not what I mean. I'm just comparing the price of the whole Kiev camera with the price of a lens adapter. Nothing more, nothing less. There are no such a versatile lens, compatible to every camera system, and in this case the price of adapter for your preferred camera system can be compared to a price of camera body.

chrisaisenbrey · Dec 5, 2013

Im too rather interested in a RB67 system.

For the RB system I could imagine a Petzval system similar to the Rodenstock Imagon system with a Zörk tube. The system simply uses the housing and shutter of a sekor 180 mm lens. (The 180 mm has only a front element which can be removed very easily) But I guess for focusing to infinity such a system would require a little longer focal length than 120 mm.

Chris

mweintraub · Dec 5, 2013

I understand not buying into another system for a single lens, but if you shoot smaller formats, it can be adapted to something you possibly already shoot.

I spent $50 on my Kiev 60. It's a little banged up, but I'd rather have that than a spacing issue.

LFLee · Dec 5, 2013

will this works on Pentax 67?

Denys · Dec 5, 2013

LFLee said:
will this works on Pentax 67?

The Flange Focal distance of Pentax 67 is 84.95 mm, which is greater then 74.1 mm of P6 FFD. It will be very difficult, if possible at all, to make an adapter. No hyperfocal distance focusing.

LFLee · Dec 5, 2013

Denys said:
The Flange Focal distance of Pentax 67 is 84.95 mm, which is greater then 74.1 mm of P6 FFD. It will be very difficult, if possible at all, to make an adapter. No hyperfocal distance focusing.

Thanks!
Will it works, then with P67 to P645 adapter?

Denys · Dec 5, 2013

LFLee said:
Thanks!
Will it works, then with P67 to P645 adapter?

Just following up my previous answer about compatibility with P67: I have never seen such an adapter, because in this case it takes to bring the lens mount deeper into the body. I have heard about the lens modification, but it all depends on the lens construction, because if its rear element part protruding deep enough, it will be in the way of reflex mirror.
The Petzvar will work with Pentax 645, there are adapters available for using Pentacon six lenses with Pentax 645 cameras.

Denys · Dec 11, 2013

Medium format Petzval lens for Hasselblad 2000 or 200 models

This is an update to my post about the Kickstarter project, aimed to create medium format Petzval lens.
I have completed building of prototype Petzvar lens with Hasselblad V mount, that will be compatible to Hasselblad 2000 or 200 camera with focal plane shutter.
Here is the link to Kickstarter page, there are more details and images there:

Dead Link Removed

AgX · Dec 12, 2013

You should make it clearer at your website that your lens has a a variable aperture (at least I assume so...)

The only hints are two photographs of the lens showing a row of unsharp figures at the front of the barrel, several figures at the focusing mark and the term "max. aperture".

Denys · Dec 12, 2013

AgX said:
You should make it clearer at your website that your lens has a a variable aperture (at least I assume so...)

The only hints are two photographs of the lens showing a row of unsharp figures at the front of the barrel, several figures at the focusing mark and the term "max. aperture".

Yes, you are right! The lens has a variable iris aperture. I will add f/16 to technical details. It is my Nikkor's 1.4 fault ) It has such a shallow DOF at close up distance even at f/8.
Thank you for pointing at that.

3RiC · Dec 12, 2013

unlike the Lomo's version they are still using the waterhouse aperture system.

Hope to see your project materialise !

Denys · Dec 12, 2013

Here is an image of the lens with the front lens block removed.

Denys · Dec 12, 2013

3RiC said:
unlike the Lomo's version they are still using the waterhouse aperture system.

Hope to see your project materialise !

They are making a toys, pretty expensive, though, but eye-catching.
I'm building a real lens. It is not for everyday use, like a fish-eye etc. But it is a proper lens.

3RiC · Dec 19, 2013

Hi Denys,

Any updateds with this project ?

Denys · Dec 20, 2013

3RiC said:
Hi Denys,

Any updateds with this project ?

Eric, the project have reached 50% of funding goal, yet still needs another 11,500$ in order to be funded. Thanks to all of my backers and supporters, the project getting attention of media.
It is only 8 days left and the future of this lens is depending on further support of fellow photographers.

segedi · Dec 21, 2013

Just put in my support!

Denys · Dec 22, 2013

segedi said:
Just put in my support!

Kevin,
thank you very much!

For Sale Medium format Petzval portrait lens. Petzvar f/3.8 120mm

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