Lomography Joseph Petzval 27mm F1.7 Review: Swirly Bokeh is Nice, but Something’s Missing
In an age where camera lenses increasingly strive for technical perfection, often resulting in visually sterile imagery, the Lomography Joseph Petzval 27mm F1.7 lens emerges as a refreshing counterpoint, aiming to inject artistic flair back into photography. Drawing inspiration from the earliest days of optics, this lens promises the distinctive swirly bokeh that defines the classic Petzval aesthetic. However, after extensive testing, while the lens certainly delivers its signature dreamy background effect, its practical application and versatility prove to be somewhat constrained, raising questions about its overall utility for diverse photographic scenarios.
The Lomography Joseph Petzval 27mm F1.7 Art Lens is the broadest focal length in Lomography’s Art Series, specifically crafted to produce the iconic swirly bokeh when used at or near its widest aperture. While it successfully creates this characteristic effect, its 27mm focal length presents challenges, as it can be difficult to consistently achieve the desired swirl and limits the lens's adaptability across different photography genres. For portraiture, the lens's aesthetic is compelling, but the wide focal length might be too expansive for close-up shots. Street photographers might appreciate the focal length, but the necessity of shooting at F2.8 or wider could restrict creative freedom in varied lighting conditions. Furthermore, the absence of weather-sealing is a significant drawback, discouraging its use in adverse weather even when its fast aperture would be most beneficial.
My initial anticipation for this lens was high, eager to transform every backdrop into a captivating, swirling canvas that would accentuate my subjects. Yet, in practice, I frequently found myself making compromises to integrate this lens into my photographic workflow. There were moments where the experience felt more tailored to video production than still photography, which was quite disappointing given its potential for unique visual artistry. The lens's all-metal construction provides a premium, substantial feel, with precisely machined control rings for aperture, focus, and bokeh. The unique bokeh control ring offers adjustable swirl intensity and direction, which is a standout feature. However, aligning the tiny notches on the aperture plates for different bokeh shapes proved to be a fiddly and time-consuming process, often leading to frustration.
The lens was tested with the Canon EOS R and Canon EOS R8, and it was observed that despite focus peaking indications on the cameras, actual image sharpness was sometimes inconsistent, requiring careful double-checking. Despite the marketing language emphasizing its utility for photography, many design elements, such as the knurled focus rings and the 1/4-inch mount on the barrel, appear to cater primarily to videographers and their specialized equipment.
When evaluating image quality, traditional metrics of clarity and sharpness are less relevant for a lens designed to create distinct optical imperfections. The Petzval 27mm Art Lens effectively delivers its signature swirly bokeh, imbuing images with a whimsical quality that draws attention to central subjects. However, the 27mm focal length can be limiting for this effect, making it challenging to compose scenes where the swirling background truly enhances the subject without requiring significant effort. This is particularly true for street photography or documentary work, where maintaining a sharply focused central subject amidst a wide, swirly backdrop can be cumbersome. Portrait photographers are likely to derive the most benefit from the Petzval Art Series, though they might generally prefer longer focal lengths for more pronounced bokeh effects.
The lens's true strength, however, shines when used for black and white photography. The inherent high contrast between light and dark tones significantly amplifies the unique effects produced by the Petzval 27mm, opening up new creative possibilities at this focal length. In contrast, the swirling effect can be less impactful in color photographs, especially when compositions do not strictly adhere to wide-open apertures or perfectly centered subjects. Ultimately, while the Lomography Joseph Petzval 27mm F1.7 Art Lens offers a distinctive aesthetic experience and a high-quality build, its niche application and practical limitations suggest it's a specialized tool best appreciated by those willing to embrace its quirks and specific strengths.