PETZVAL CINE LENSES

The Petzval lens design, first introduced in 1840 by mathematician Joseph Petzval, is one of the most iconic in optical history. Defined by its swirling bokeh, dramatic edge falloff, and painterly rendering, the Petzval created a visual style unlike any other. In the cinema world, the first professional adaptation came with the TLS Petzvals, which transformed the classic design into robust PL-mounted housings suitable for modern productions. Building on that legacy, Ancient Optics rehoused the Lomography Petzvalux, bringing another interpretation of the Petzval’s distinctive character into professional use with consistent mechanics and durable construction. Together, these lenses carry a 19th-century invention into the present day, offering cinematographers one of the most historic and artistic aesthetics available in cinema optics.