Lomography x Zenit 85mm f/2.2 Petzval Art Lens Review

Lomography Petzval 85mm f/2.2 Art Lens Sample Photos

Lucy Portrait | 1/100 sec | f/2.2 | 85.0 mm | ISO 100 High-Res	Lucy Portrait | 1/100 sec | f/2.2 | 85.0 mm | ISO 100 High-Res
Sharpness is much better with the second sample of this lens | 1/320 sec | f/8| 85.0 mm | ISO 100 High-Res	Sharpness is good in the centre of the frame | 1/500 sec | f/2.2| 85.0 mm | ISO 100 High-Res
The swirly blurred edges create an interesting vignette effect at wide apertures | 1/400 sec | f/2.2| 85.0 mm | ISO 100 High-Res	Focusing is smooth, but has quite a short throw, which can make accurate focusing tricky | 1/2500 sec | f/2.2 | 85.0 mm | ISO 100 High-Res
1/200 sec | f/2.2 | 85.0 mm | ISO 100 High-Res	1/400 sec | f/4 | 85.0 mm | ISO 100 High-Res
1/500 sec | f/8 | 85.0 mm | ISO 100 High-Res	1/1000 sec | f/8 | 85.0 mm | ISO 100 High-Res

Value For Money

Being priced at around £465, this lens seems quite expensive for what it offers, especially considering issues with the build, design and operation of the lens.

Those looking for a manual 85mm lens with a fast maximum aperture may also consider Samyang's 85mm f/1.4 as an alternative as it costs half what the New Petzval does at just over £200. The Samyang lens sports a faster maximum aperture than the Petzval, and aperture control is kept within the lens, so there's no chance of losing anything either.

Canon camera owners may also consider the EF 85mm f/1.8 USM as an alternative. This lens sports, fast, silent autofocus, a faster maximum aperture and costs around £300. Nikon's 85mm f/1.8G is similar, and costs around £370.

Add your message