Back in 2013, Lomography launched a Kickstarter to resurrect a photographic relic of the 19th century, the Petzval lens, now available as the Petzval 55mm f/1.7 MkII Art Lens ($449 / £349 / AU$649) and Petzval 80.5mm f/1.9 MkII Bokeh Control Art Lens ($499 / £399 / AU$809).
But far from an optical oddity, its unique, vintage aesthetic has garnered favor with photographers, filmmakers and even Hollywood productions. And although I've noticed the Petzval’s distinctive spiraling bokeh pop up in various movies, most notably Poor Things, I knew nothing about this incredible optic’s history.
