As an artist, your tools deserve to be every bit as beautiful as your work. That, at least, appears to be the guiding principle behind the Lomography Daguerreotype Achromat Art Lens, a stunning piece of equipment that evokes the lost aesthetic of the world’s very first photographic optic lens from 1839. But this isn’t just for show — rather, this antique lens serves a modern-day purpose, and promises to be a powerful tool for 21st-century photographers and cinematographers alike, able to their work to new boundaries with the mastering of “light, diverse moods, and dramatic special effects.”
Introduced on Kickstarter just a few days ago, the lens has already over $500,000 from 1,217 backers, and has 30 days left in its campaign. While the lens may be inspired by the 19th-century product of Louis Daguerre and Charles Chevalier, it combines the nostalgia of the 1800s with all the technology of today. With the Lomography Daguerreotype Achromat Art Lens, you’ll be able to “alternate between razor-sharp images, or drape your world in silky soft focus.” Truly meant for professionals and connoisseurs of the photography field, the lens allows its user to “control depth of field in a whole new way with endless bokeh effects — which blend together colors, shapes and textures for creative expression.”
Currently available in both Canon EF or Nikon F SLR mounts, the lens is compatible with a number of other cameras, including the Sony Alpha series, Fuji X-Pro 1, and Micro 4/3 Cameras. And you can choose between a brass or glossy black finish to transport your camera to days of yore.
You can order the lens now on Kickstarter for the early bird price of $400, but stocks are quickly running low. But it’s a small price to pay not only for a professional-grade lens, but also for a piece of history that has contributed so much to the photography industry over the last several centuries. Head on over to Kicsktarter to claim your own, and find your own piece of the 19th century on your camera.
