The Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens Now Available on Kickstarter!

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We’re thrilled to be back on Kickstarter to present the Lomography Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens!

The new addition to the Lomography Art Lens Family is directly inspired by the world’s first photographic optic lens — a 19th century invention created for the Daguerreotype camera by Charles Chevalier. Almost two centuries later, we’ve reworked it as a powerful tool for modern-day photographers and cinematographers.

Combining the inspiring brass design of the timeless original, with all the versatility and compatibility of a 21st century optic, the Daguerreotype Achromat Art Lens celebrates the great return of dreamy imagery.

This 64mm Art Lens offers the ability to experiment with an extensive range of moods and effects — from portraits and still life, to storytelling, and much more.
The lens works with a Waterhouse Aperture Plate System. In addition to the classic Waterhouse Aperture Plates, the new Lumière and Aquarelle Aperture Plates open a realm of creative possibilities. From the tips of your fingers, you can alternate between razor-sharp edges to silky soft-focus and enrich depth of field with watercolor-like textures. The Daguerreotype Achromat Art Lens is compatible with Canon EF or Nikon F mount cameras, as well as many other analogue and digital cameras with the use of adapter mounts.

By backing us today, not only will you have access to offers and prices exclusively available to you, but you’ll also secure a lens from the very first batch, estimated to be delivered by Christmas of this year!

Reinventing a Historic Milestone

In 1838, Frenchmen Charles Chevalier and Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre came together to combine their technological advances. The result would forever leave a mark in history. Chevalier invented the world’s first optic lens, which when used on the Daguerreotype camera, sparked the beginning of practical photography. This camera and lens shot the first photograph of a human at Boulevard du Temple, in Paris, 1838. This historic lens used an achromat doublet design. When shooting at large apertures, its image-forming system would cause light rays to split and disperse, drenching images in a powerful natural glow. Now, more than 150 years later, we have revived these ethereal aesthetics of early photography.

A Versatile Modern Day Tool

With a 64mm focal length, and the classic Waterhouse Aperture Plate system — the lens provides a myriad of photographic possibilities: from dreamy soft focus at f/2.9 – f/4 to crisp precision at f/5.6 and onward. The inclusion of the Lumière and Aquarelle Aperture Plate offers the chance to shoot painterly scenes reminiscent of 19th century masterworks. The Lumière Aperture Plates wrap images in a veil of soft light and create curved, dotted bokeh. The Aquarelle Aperture Plates produce a textured, painterly look, creating the illusion of brush strokes.

Credits: Martynas Katauskas, Raymond Chin, Emily Soto, Katherine Phipps, Irina Mattioli, Anna Rakhvalova, Jonathan Daniel Pryce, Remy Perthuisot, Daniel Schaefer, & Felix Kwan.

21st Century Compatibility

Available in both Canon EF and Nikon F mounts, the Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens is compatible with loads of analogue and digital SLR cameras.


The Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens, inspired by a long-lost aesthetic, presents the return of dreamy, ethereal photographs. Honing the essence of the world’s first photographic optic, the Daguerreotype Achromat Lens offers the versatility of 21st century technology with the eminent characteristics of 19th century paintings. This premium handcrafted optic, with its unique Lumière and Aquarelle Aperture Plates, is compatible with Canon EF or Nikon F mount cameras and allows for both silky soft-focused details and crisp, defined photographs—boasting the versatile nature of the Lomography Art Lens Family.

Dare to dream and fund this project on Kickstarter to bring the delicate aura of French Romanticism and Impressionism into 21st century imagery!

2016-04-06 #gear #news #videos #launch #daguerreotype #chevalier #kickstarter #achromat #daguerreotype-achromat-lens #new-product #mystery-product #art-lens

17 Comments

  1. stratski
    stratski ·

    Expensive lens: check.

  2. sirio174
    sirio174 ·

    another nice quality product. Don't forget M42 and K mount (K mount is still popular!)

  3. reka_s
    reka_s ·

    Why does it always have to be a lens? :c

  4. ivaylo
    ivaylo ·

    Am I getting this right?
    Add $150 and get the Lomography LC-A+ and save 40%
    Add $200 and get the Lomography LC-Wide and save almost 50%

    If I donate $200 I get the LC-Wide?! That's so nice, I am considering it already! :)

  5. pan_dre
    pan_dre ·

    @ivaylo Well it's for lens pledges only but nice try ;)

  6. lomographymagazine
    lomographymagazine ·

    @ivaylo It is a great deal! This applies to all pledge tiers that include an order of the Daguerreotype Achromat Art Lens.

  7. alienmeatsack
    alienmeatsack ·

    @stratski I disagree on expensive. This actually one of the first lenses from Lomography in their art lens collection that can be had for a lower price. The Petzval was $500 USD and the many FRS remakes were $500+ each. This one started at $300, sold out and now is $350 as lowest which is a very nice price.

  8. djramsay
    djramsay ·

    what was once a fun plastic fantastic business that was easily affordable and aimed at lovers of film has turned into an elitist overpriced beatnik joke aimed at the digital photographer. Quite sad really, you don't even send prints from the lab any more.

  9. emkei
    emkei ·

    @djramsay i agree with you...

  10. pan_dre
    pan_dre ·

    @djramsay our last two camera projects, the Lomo’instant and the Lomo’Instant Wide, as well as our constantly extending film line, are all about giving film lovers new and interesting new tools to play with. While I agree that Art Lenses are quite different from the plastic fantastic cameras from the early years, both are about experimenting with photography in the end and it doesn’t mean that those two can’t coexist.

  11. stratski
    stratski ·

    @alienmeatsack Yeah, that first post of mine was my personal disappointments speaking. While it may be a good price for a premium lens, it's still a whole lot of money. It's fine that Lomography has a premium line of lenses and camera's, there's obviously a market for it. But I can't help but be slightly disappointed every time one of these big countdown reveals is about something expensive that a lot of people will not be able to afford, especially young people, who are the ones that have to keep film alive. Still, no biggie. I'll live, and the next new product might be something I enjoy again.

  12. herbert-4
    herbert-4 ·

    @pan_dre All the art lenses still need to be in, at least, M42 mount with adapters for other mounts, or, even better, T-mount with adapters for everything. About 80% of SLR's are being left out. At least this one has a helical focus. And what is this thing with Waterhouse Stops? Put a real, at least 9 blade, diaphragm in them. My Jupiter 3 has a 13 blade diaphragm. Waterhouse stops are just lame!!! These things are expensive tools, not novelties. Have a slot in front of the diaphragm for novelty apertures, and cover it with a sliding door. The Petzvals need helical focus. Rack and pinion focus is too exposed. Please, LSI, make these things more real.

  13. djramsay
    djramsay ·

    @pan_dre I can't help but feel disappointed, i've been part of the community for a very long time with over 2500 photo uploaded here and a collection of 30 + cameras, mostly film. However i do feel that these premium lenses are designed with the DLSR market in mind. I remember when you added the "not digital" option when uploading photos here which in hindsight was to facilitate the introduction of lenses aimed at the digital market. Don't get me wrong, I have several digital cameras and have many photos on Getty because of them but Lomography no longer seems to be inclusive, just exclusive.

  14. owens
    owens ·

    I have to echo what @herbert-4 said - this lens should have a T-mount option. I don't have a strong feeling about Waterhouse stops vs. a nice diaphragm, but your choice of Canon and Nikon mounts is unnecessarily limiting. T-mount is the perfect choice for an all-manual lens.

  15. ces1um
    ces1um ·

    I get that there are so many lens mount systems out there and lomography can't make a lens for every system. I understand why canon and nikon are their obvious choices- they'll sell lenses for film and current production dslrs. Broader market. I just wish they could figure out some way where you bought a generic lens and then the correct adapter for your camera. I need either M or K mount.

  16. herbert-4
    herbert-4 ·

    @cesium @pan_dre The big wish was that LSI had Zenit build their Art lenses on a T-mount system with adapters for everything. I think no one in LSI knew what T-mount is. Makers of industrial lenses like Universe Kogaku make T-mount lenses with adapters for everything. Look here: www.universeoptics.com/uvlens_assemblies/ Enjoy!!

  17. herbert-4
    herbert-4 ·

    @ces1um See my above comments, I misspelled your Lomohome...

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