Last Updated on 07/25/2025 by Chris Gampat
Lomography has manufactured some exceptional cameras and films over the years. Options such as Color Negative 400, Fantome 8, or Lomo’Instant Wide are some exceptional photo gear that one can rely on. Adding to this list is the launch of new portrait lenses, which offer not just soft bokeh, but one that can be swirled. How does it work? Let’s have a look.
Editor’s Note: a previous version of this article had a mistaken price. Lomography has let us know that the price is actually $599.
Lomography has announced three new options in the Joseph Petzval Focus-coupled Bokeh Control Art Lens series: 35mm f2, 55mm f1.7, and 80mm f1.9. These optics have been revived from the original lenses from the 19th century, which help to create swirl bokeh without focus shifting. Here is a look at the specs:
| Focal Length | 35 mm | 55 mm | 80.5 mm |
| Lens Aperture System | Stopless Iris Style Aperture, Drop In Special Aperture Plates | Stopless Iris Style Aperture, Drop In Special Aperture Plates | Stopless Iris Style Aperture, Drop In Special Aperture Plates |
| Closest Focusing Distance | 0.4 m | 0.7 m | 0.8 m |
| Lens Focusing | Manual Focusing Ring | Manual Focusing Ring | Manual Focusing Ring |
| Available Apertures | f/2.0, f/2.8, f/3.5, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22 | f/1.7, f/1.9, f/2.0, f/2.2, f/2.5, f/2.8, f/2.9, f/3.5, f/3.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22 | f/1.9, f/2.0, f/2.2, f/2.5, f/2.8, f/2.9, f/3.5, f/3.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22 |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| Lens Material | Multi–Coated Glass | Multi–Coated Glass | Multi–Coated Glass |
| Lens Body Material | Anodized Aluminum | Anodized Aluminum | Anodized Aluminum |
| Lens Family | Josef Petzval Focus-Coupled | Josef Petzval Focus-Coupled | Josef Petzval Focus-Coupled |
Some of its other features include bokeh control, drop-in aperture plates to change the shape of bokeh, and a topless control ring to adjust the aperture. These new lenses are each available for $599 for Sony, Canon, and Nikon mirrorless systems. There is also a bundle offer for those who want to buy more than one. In addition, the company is also developing a new 27mm f2 and 135mm f2.8 lenses, which will be available later.
Many photographers would either rely on a filter to achieve these results or do it in post-production, the latter of which would take lots of effort. In a way, Lomography is trying to shake up the sterile images produced today, and for that, it is quite commendable. However, we must remember that Cosina, too, has its own aperture-control lens, the Portrait Heliar 75mm f1.8. In comparison, the Lomography option is cheaper at $599, with the Cosina variation costing close to $900.
However, for anyone wanting even more cost-effective options, TTArtisan has launched the 75mm f1.5 Swirly Bokeh Lens, but we haven’t reviewed it. There is also the Lensbaby Sol 45mm f3.5, but that does not have the same kind of swirl as the Lomography option.
Although we do hope that these options are used as mere tools and not as crutches by photographers. A lens can only do so much, your imagination is what leads the viewer to see your work.