Summary
- The Joseph Petzval Métamorphose 35mm f/1.8 is a manual Art Lens for Sony E, Canon RF and Nikon Z with seven levels of bokeh control.
- Its lowest setting produces a calmer rendering with soap-bubble textures, while the highest creates a strong optical warp around the center of the frame.
- It features a 180° focus throw, MOD 0.8 gearing, stopless controls and a built-in 1/4-inch support for video rigs.
- Shipping is expected in December 2026, with the current official US price shown as USD 649 during the October 1, 2026 check.
Lomography has introduced the Joseph Petzval Métamorphose 35mm f/1.8, a manual Art Lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras that turns controlled optical imperfections into part of the creative image.
The new 35mm lens is offered for Sony E, Canon RF and Nikon Z, with seven levels of bokeh control, stopless rings and a focus-coupled mechanism designed to keep the focus position stable while the bokeh character is adjusted.
Its concept draws inspiration from Carl Friedrich Gauss’s 1817 Single Gaussian lens and specifically from aberrations such as coma and astigmatism, which Lomography treats here as creative traits rather than defects to be fully corrected.
From soap-bubble bokeh to a strong optical warp
The Métamorphose offers seven bokeh levels. At level 1, the image gradually softens toward the edges and the background develops dense soap-bubble-style textures, while level 7 pulls the image visually toward the center, producing a pronounced warp and a sense of motion around the subject.
Intermediate settings provide variations between those two extremes, while aperture and focusing distance further change the final rendering. The lens is not designed for neutral reproduction; its purpose is to let creators build the effect directly in-camera.
Designed with video use in mind
The lens features a 180° focus throw, MOD 0.8 gearing for follow-focus systems and stopless rings for focus, aperture and bokeh. It also includes a built-in 1/4-inch lens support for more secure mounting on rigs, tripods or gimbals.
Focusing is fully manual and there are no electronic contacts with the camera body. The focus-coupled system refers to the mechanical coordination between focusing and bokeh control, not autofocus or electronic camera communication.
Technical specifications
| Focal length | 35 mm |
| Aperture | f/1.8–f/22, stopless iris + drop-in rear aperture plates |
| Optical construction | 6 elements in 5 groups |
| Field of view | 62° |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.35 m |
| Mounts | Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z |
| Filter thread | 67 mm |
| Focus throw | 180° |
| Follow-focus gear | MOD 0.8 |
| Electronic contacts | No |
| Lens support | Built-in 1/4″ |
Price and availability
The press material accompanying the announcement lists a price of USD 499 and shipping in December 2026. During a check of Lomography’s official US store on October 1, 2026, the price was shown as USD 649 for the Sony E, Canon RF and Nikon Z versions, indicating that the current retail price appears to have changed. No confirmed official euro price was found on the European store during the same check.
Lomography also states that buyers receive a cashback voucher that can be used toward a future lens from the Joseph Petzval Focus-coupled Bokeh Control series.
Read more here.
What we think
The Métamorphose is not aimed at creators looking for the most neutral, highly corrected rendering; its value lies in the controlled character it can generate in-camera. Seven bokeh levels and cinema-style mechanical controls make it particularly relevant for portrait, fashion, music video and narrative work where the background and optical distortion are part of the visual language. Its fully manual operation, however, demands a slower and more deliberate workflow.
Frequently asked questions
Which mounts are available for the Joseph Petzval Métamorphose 35mm f/1.8?
Lomography offers it for Sony E, Canon RF and Nikon Z, targeting full-frame mirrorless systems.
Does it have autofocus?
No. Focusing is manual and the lens has no electronic contacts with the camera body.
How do the seven bokeh levels work?
The dedicated control ring changes the rendering from a calmer, painterly look with soap-bubble textures to a strong optical warp around the center of the frame.
What is the minimum focusing distance?
The minimum focusing distance is 0.35 m.
