The folks at Lomography seem to have taken a liking to lenses in general and old lens designs in particular, which explains why the Art Lens family welcomes another member.
After the Lomography Petzval 85, Russar+, Lomo LC-A Minitar-1, Petzval 58 Bokeh Control, and the Lomography Jupiter 3+, now comes the Lomography Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens.
The lens design dates back to 1839. Its aesthetic is characterized by soft focus and light veiling over the images. The lens has a focal length of 64 mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.9. As known from the Lomography Petzval, the aperture is not adjusted by turning the lens but by swapping different discs with varying opening sizes (Waterhouse stop system).
The optics are handcrafted in a brass housing in a small workshop in central China. Optionally available with black lacquer finish. The Lomography Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 is available with Canon EF or Nikon F mount, and with an adapter it can also be used on Sony Alpha series cameras as well as Fuji X-Pro 1 and Micro 4/3 cameras. Of course, it can also be used with film cameras.
As with some products in the past, this lens is also funded via Kickstarter. The required amount of $100,000 was collected within a few hours. Additional stretch goals have been announced. Depending on the final total, backers will receive extras such as a leather case for the lens, additional aperture discs, and an orange filter.
Delivery of the Daguerreotype Achromat lens is scheduled between August and December 2016, depending on the tier.
Technical details of the Lomography Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens
· Focal length: 64mm
· Maximum aperture: f/2.9
· Waterhouse stops, up to f/16
· Lens mount: Canon EF or Nikon F*
· Minimum focusing distance: 0.5m
· Focus adjustment: Focusing ring
· Image circle: 44mm
· Angle of view: 37 degrees
· Filter thread: 40.5mm
· Electronic contacts: No
· Optical construction: 2 elements in 1 group
