Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens is back in black... and silver graphite

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This Lomography Art lens in Aluminum still offers all the creative effects that you'd expect from a 19th-century inspired optic

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The Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens is now in two subtle aluminium finishes (Image credit: Lomography)

Photographers who enjoy the dreamlike Lomography look will be pleased to hear that the Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens is back out in two new sleek black and silver color ways – or "Onyx Black" and "Silver Graphite" aluminium, if we're being completely accurate.

The Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens was first launched in 2016, and with a design inspired by the iconic 19th-century optical optical design of Daguerre and Chevalier, it was available in a brass or black-painted brass option. These two new finishes are made from anodized aluminum, and appear more subdued in nature, perhaps so that they pair seamlessly with today's analogue and DSLR cameras.

Read more: best lomography cameras

Getting into the specifications, the lens has a fixed focal distance of 64 mm, close focusing distance of 0.5m, manual focusing ring and the available apertures are limited to f/2.9, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16. Although it's available for Canon EF or Nikon F mounts, it is also possible to mount it on mirrorless cameras using adapters.

Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens Aluminium example shot

Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens Aluminium (Image credit: Lomography)

The visuals that you get from a Lomography Art lens (see sample images below) aren't for everyone. There's no mistaking the lomo-look, and the Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens Aluminium is just as good as the original when it comes to creating unique images and videos. This is thanks in part because of the unique aperture plates that come with it to produce the bokeh effects. 

Like its predecessor, it's possible to switch the lens between soft or sharp images – depending on your intended effect. Soft focus is possible from apertures below f/4, while razor-sharp results with deep contrasts come from f/5.6 onwards.

Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens Aluminium example shot

(Image credit: Lomography/Matteo Giovinazzo)

Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens Aluminium example shot

(Image credit: Lomography/Brett Allen Smith)

Each lens comes with an array of extra plates, including six Waterhouse Aperture Plates (from f/2.9 to f/16), three Aquarelle and three Lumière Aperture Plates, plus a cleaning cloth, photo book and instruction manual. According to Lomography, "the Lumière aperture plates soak images in a radiant, soft glow – and create delicate dotted backgrounds, enriching depth of field. The Aquarelle aperture plates produce a rich and very textured, painterly effect – comparable to watercolor masterworks!"

Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens Aluminium box contents

Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Art Lens Aluminium box contents (Image credit: Lomography)

The Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 Aluminum Art Lens is available now for £299 from the Lomography Online Shop in the new Black Onyx and Silver Graphite designs, and either Canon EF and Nikon F fit.

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Lauren Scott
Lauren Scott
Freelance contributor/former Managing Editor

Lauren is a writer, reviewer, and photographer with ten years of experience in the camera industry. She's the former Managing Editor of Digital Camera World, and previously served as Editor of Digital Photographer magazine, Technique editor for PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, and Deputy Editor of our sister publication, Digital Camera Magazine. An experienced journalist and freelance photographer, Lauren also has bylines at Tech Radar, Space.com, Canon Europe, PCGamesN, T3, Stuff, and British Airways' in-flight magazine (among others). When she's not testing gear for DCW, she's probably in the kitchen testing yet another new curry recipe or walking in the Cotswolds with her Flat-coated Retriever.