The 85mm Petzval T2.3 lens is a contemporary revival of the renowned Petzval optical design, engineered for film and video. It generates the signature swirly bokeh effect, most pronounced with distant, busy backgrounds, while maintaining excellent central sharpness. Its T2.3 aperture provides ample light-gathering capabilities and creative depth of field control. Designed with geared focus and aperture rings, it integrates seamlessly into cine workflows, offering a distinct, vintage, and artistic visual signature for your projects.
Overview
- Modern revival of the classic Petzval optical design
- Produces iconic, pronounced swirly bokeh
- Excellent central sharpness for subject isolation
- Fast T2.3 aperture for low light and shallow depth of field
- Geared focus and aperture rings for cine accessories
- Ideal for expressive portraits, artistic narratives, and distinct aesthetics
- Durable, all-metal construction
- Delivers a unique, artistic, and vintage visual signature
| Focal Length | Aperture | Close focus | Front Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85mm | T2.3 | 61cm | 2′ | 110mm |
Maximising Iconic Swirly Bokeh
The primary appeal of this lens lies in its dramatic, swirling bokeh effect. To enhance this painterly, dreamlike background and beautifully isolate your central subject, position your subject against patterned or textured backgrounds. This will make the iconic swirl most apparent, adding significant artistic character to your shots.
Leveraging for Portraits
The 85mm focal length is a classic for portraits, and when combined with the Petzval’s unique bokeh, it creates highly expressive and artistic close-ups with a strong sense of dimensionality. Use this lens to craft evocative and memorable portraiture, allowing the background to melt into a captivating swirl.
Utilising the Fast T2.3 Aperture
The wide T2.3 aperture is essential for maximising the signature swirly bokeh effect. Furthermore, it provides excellent performance in various lighting conditions, allowing you to shoot in lower light while still achieving that sought-after shallow depth of field.
Seamless Cine-Ready Integration
Equipped with industry-standard geared focus and aperture rings, this lens is built for professional video applications.3 Ensure you pair it with follow focus systems and lens motors for smooth and precise operation, enabling critical and repeatable focus pulls.
Embracing Artistic Vision
This lens is not about clinical sharpness across the entire frame. Instead, it’s a specific artistic tool. Embrace its unique optical characteristics, which intentionally create character and a vintage feel, allowing for a more stylised and expressive image rather than aiming for technical perfection.
Mastering Manual Focus
Like its 58mm counterpart, this lens is fully manual focus. Nailing critical focus, especially at wider apertures with its shallow depth of field, requires careful technique and practice. Utilise your camera’s focus peaking or magnification tools to ensure sharp results.