Petzval 58 is a technique in filmmakingtography.
Technical Details
The lens consists of four elements in two groups: a front achromatic doublet and a rear doublet with a 3.5x distance between them. The aperture is located between the lens groups and can be stopped down from f/1.9 to f/16. The image circle measures 24mm in diameter at optimal sharpness, while the edge area shows significant softness from 30mm onwards. Modern versions, such as those from Lomography, use brass mounts and weigh 520 grams with a length of 87mm.
History & Development
In 1840, Joseph Petzval developed the first fast portrait lens for daguerreotypy with f/3.6, reducing exposure times from minutes to seconds. Voigtländer produced the first examples in Vienna. The design remained standard for portrait photography until the 1920s. In 2013, Lomography released a modern interpretation for digital cameras, followed by various manufacturers like New Petzval Art Lens Company, who adapted the classic design for film productions.
Practical Use in Film
Terrence Malick used Petzval lenses in "Knight of Cups" (2015) for dreamlike sequences and portraits with characteristic edge softness. The lenses are suitable for close-ups and interviews where the swirl bokeh isolates faces and creates emotional intensity. The narrow depth of field of 24mm requires precise focusing and works best at focal distances of 2 meters and beyond. Many documentary filmmakers use the Petzval 58 for intimate interview situations, as the natural vignetting directs the viewer's attention to the center.
Comparison & Alternatives
Unlike modern 50mm lenses with uniform edge sharpness, the Petzval deliberately creates optical "imperfections" as a stylistic device. Zeiss Super Speeds or Cooke S4 offer technical perfection, while the Petzval delivers artistic distortion. For similar bokeh effects without edge softness, Russian Helios lenses or the Trioplan 100mm are suitable. The Petzval 58 is chosen when the characteristic swirl effect is to be used specifically as a narrative component, not for technically neutral shots.