An Object Out of Time: Franco Gambs' First Impressions with the Petzval 55 mm Art Lens
Franco Gambardella, known as Franco Gambs, is a professional photographer who lives and works on the stunning Amalfi Coast, in Italy. We invited him to test the Petzval 55 mm f/1.7 MKII Art Lens and create a series of dreamy yet unique shots, making the most of the optical features of this extraordinary lens. Let’s discover how Franco got along with the Petzval.
Hi, Franco! It’s great to have you back on the Lomography Magazine! What have you been up to recently?
Hey Lomography! It’s a pleasure for me to be back here. Recently, I’ve dedicated most of my time to projects that have kept me a bit away from shooting. You could say I’ve mostly been working on the “behind the scenes” of my photography, so all those side projects rather than specifically taking photos.
What inspired you for this photo series with the Petzval 55 mm f/1.7 MKII Art Lens?
Among the projects I mentioned earlier, one was launching my YouTube channel. This was one of the reasons that pushed me to try the Petzval: to show it to the people who follow me, because I was sure they would be very interested. But what inspired me the most to try it was its history. Being one of the very first lenses ever created, having an “updated” version of this lens to try out today was an idea that really intrigued me.
What were your first impressions when you got the lens in your hands?
My first impression as soon as I had it in my hands was that it felt like an object out of time, also because the version I received was brass, with an even more vintage look. It immediately struck me as a quality lens and a very particular object, just waiting to be discovered.
How would you describe the character or “personality” of this lens? In what way does it influence the way you see or tell a story through an image?
The Petzval is definitely not the typical lens people usually buy. It’s an Art Lens, so not an everyday-use lens, but one that, in the right hands, can deliver a lot of satisfaction. The photos are super creative and shooting with it becomes really fun. I’ve been shooting for years, practically always with autofocus, and using manual focus with this lens made me consider my shots more carefully, and observe the scene more deeply.
This made me reflect a lot on what I was doing, and I found it really useful. We’re all always in such a rush nowadays, with current technology making our work so immediate. Every now and then it’s nice to unplug, slow down, and pause to “catch your breath". For me, the Petzval was exactly that: a breath of fresh air, a pause from everyday frenzy, a good chance to relax and take things slowly, while enjoying myself.
What would you suggest to photographers interested in trying it out?
To photographers who are curious to try it, I’d suggest taking advantage of the bokeh swirl to blur the lights. This will create a unique effect in your photos!
You shot both during the day and at night. What do you think is the ideal setting to get the most out of the Petzval 55?
Having tested it in both situations, I must say I find the night shots superior. In my opinion, this lens performs at its best in that context, when there are artificial lights in the frame. The bokeh swirl effect makes the photos super creative and interesting. Plus, with its f/1.7 aperture, shooting in low light conditions is absolutely not a problem, so there are no excuses not to do it. Try it and see!
Looking ahead, what photographic techniques or tools would you like to explore or experiment with?
I know it’s nothing futuristic, but I’d really love to go back to shooting more on film. Over the years I’ve put that passion aside a bit, and now I feel the need to pick it up again. If I had to mention a technique I’d like to experiment with and explore further, I’d say developing film rolls at home, on my own. That would be an exciting experience.
Do you have any upcoming projects you’d like to share with our Community?
I’ll soon be going back to Japan, and I have various projects I’d like to carry out there, but for now I won’t say more. Other than that, I’m someone who thinks a lot about the future and plans things carefully, so most of my projects are long-term rather than imminent.
What’s certain is that I’ll continue to experiment and explore photography in all its aspects, and I recommend that photographers reading this do the same. Over the years I’ve learned that in photography, just like in life, you never stop learning, and every new discovery reignites that spark that made me fall in love with this art.
Thanks to Franco for sharing his wonderful photos and review with us! To see more of his work, visit his Instagram.
written by elisacavaciocchi on 2025-10-03 #gear #people #bokeh #italy #portraits #petzval-55 #franco-gambs
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