Lomogon 2.5/32 Art Lens by Lomography – Now on Kickstarter

News

by Jakub HanFebruary 28^th, 2019

The Lomogon 2.5/32 Art Lens is a new crowdfunding campaign by Lomography. This fully manual lens offers a unique aperture ring with circular aperture cutouts, 32mm focal length and 0.4m minimal focusing distance. It covers full-frame sensors and will be available for a variety of cameras with both, a black aluminum and a brass body version.

Lomogon 2.5/32 Art Lens. Source: Lomography

Lomography manufacture a whole range of analogue cameras, premium art lenses, films, as well as accessories in the field of analogue, experimental and creative photography. The company has a tradition of launching new products in form of crowdfunding campaigns. Their 10th crowdfunding project, the Lomogon 2.5 32mm lens is now online on Kickstarter and it is doing very well. The funding goal has long been reached and there is still time (till March 22) to pledge and receive the product later.

Lomogon 2.5/32 Art Lens

The first thing that caught my eye in regards to this lens (apart from the color of the brass version) is the unique approach to the aperture ring. Changing the aperture on the Lomogon lens is possible only by rotating the offset wheel with its round cutouts, which kind of sticks out of the side of the lens. There are five cutouts within the ring, resulting in apertures of f/2.5, f/4, f/5.6, f/8 and f/11. Due to this design, every aperture that is set is perfectly round and therefore results in a unique circular bokeh. Thanks to the “click-and-stop” system it is easy to feel every aperture cutout that you can lock in place.

Changing the aperture on the Lomogon lens. Source: Lomography

The Lomogon 2.5/32 art lens is (as the name implies) a 32mm focal length, fully manual prime lens. 32mm is quite close to a human’s biological field of view and is very close to 35mm (which, in my opinion, is the best universally usable focal length). It has a minimum focusing distance of only 0.4 m (15.7″). The lens features a 62mm filter thread and it will be available with a black aluminum or brass chassis.

Lomogon 2.5/32 Art Lens. Source: Lomography

The Lomogon was developed together with the Russian manufacturer Zenit and assembled by hand with glass optics in China. It has been tested by photographers and videographers all around the globe – through photo series, music videos, documentaries and more. Its design is inspired by the Lomo LC-A: the little camera that has sparked the whole Lomography movement and aesthetic in 1992. The Lomogon is trying to recreate some of these classic looks – bold contrast, sweet saturation, and moody vignetting.

The look of the Lomogon 2.5/32 Art Lens. Source: Lomography

Constructed with six multi-coated lens elements in six groups, the Lomogon corrects optical aberrations to minimize distortion and improve micro-contrast for richer colors and tone transitions. The Lomogon Art Lens will be available with Canon EF or Nikon F mount. It is designed for full-frame sensors, but will of course also work with smaller sensor cameras. It’s compatible with a variety of SLR and mirrorless cameras when using an adapter: Sony E mount, FUJIFILM X, Micro 4/3, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and more.

The Lomogon 2.5/32 Art Lens can be used on variety of cameras via adapters. Source: Lomography

Lomogon 2.5/32 Technical Specifications

• Focal length: 32 mm
• Lens construction: 6 elements in 6 groups
• Dial aperture stops: f/2.5, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11
• Image circle: 44 mm
• Field of view: 68 degrees
• Lens mounting profile: Canon EF and Nikon F
• Electronic contacts: no
• Closest focusing distance: 0.4 m
• Focusing mechanism: Helicoid
• Filter thread: 62 mm

The lowest early-bird offers are sold out already (unless you buy two lenses). Currently, the price for one lens on Kickstarter starts at $350 USD for the black aluminum version. There is a brass version as well as a special collector’s edition available, too. The Lomogon will have retail prices starting at $499 USD.

Lomography is aiming to have the Lomogon ready for delivery by November 2019 (estimate only). Once the campaign is over, backers will be able to choose add-ons (like an adapter) starting at $13 USD, as well as accessories with special Kickstarter discounts. The Lomogon will be available for delivery in most countries around the world, but shipping fees will vary. For all shipping and handling details, you can refer to the FAQs section.

(Notice: this is a crowdfunding campaign and there are certain risks. Keep that in mind when sending the money!)

What do you think about this new, unique lens by Lomography? Do you have experience with any other product from their portfolio? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.