Between Dreams and Reality: Director Leto’s Journey with the Joseph Petzval Focus-Coupled Art Lens
Following the launch of the new Joseph Petzval Focus-coupled Bokeh Control Art Lens series, we handed the 55 mm and 80.5 mm models to Guangzhou-based short film director Leto. From the piers of Wan Chai to Kowloon Park, she used the lenses to trace the Hongkong’s breath and the flow of light. With their dreamy swirly bokeh, the lenses brought her back to the essence of seeing - and set her creative spirit free.
Hi Leto, welcome to the Lomography Magazine! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi everyone, I’m Leto, a short film director from China. I actually studied economics in university, but during my self-learning journey in videography, I discovered the unique power of images - how they can cut through appearances and touch emotions. I later realized that filmmaking not only records moments but also allows me to explore the emotions and people behind stories. That’s when I decided to start telling stories as a director.
We heard you’re also a Lomographer! How did you first get into Lomography?
My very first film camera was the Lomo Holga 135BC. Back then, I was just getting into film photography and wanted something affordable and easy to use. I didn’t expect it to stay with me for such a long time - or to bring so much joy in capturing life spontaneously.
How was your experience using the Joseph Petzval Art Lenses? Do you usually shoot with manual lenses, and where did you take these two?
I often work with manual lenses in my projects - they slow me down and retrain the way I see. However, many of them are quite bulky and not exactly travel-friendly. The first thing that struck me about the Joseph Petzval 55 mm and 80.5 mm was how light they felt - not just physically, but creatively. Their finely-textured metal surfaces glowed softly under sunlight, evoking a sense of old-world craftsmanship.
We took them around Hong Kong - from Wan Chai Pier to Central Market, and then to Kowloon Park. I tried to capture the pulse of the city - the noise of the markets, the harbor wind, and the fleeting warmth between people. What they recorded wasn’t just images, but the scent and motion of Hong Kong’s light.
What were your first impressions of the lenses? If you could describe them in three words, what would they be?
Right away I noticed the unique swirly bokeh - the way it wraps the image in a swirling softness, like light itself is flowing through the scene.
Three words? Vintage, dreamy, focused.
Vintage, for the metal finish and the atmosphere it creates.
Dreamy, for how it renders light and shadow.
Focused, because it makes me look more intently and connect with what’s in front of me.
Was there a moment when the lens truly “came alive” for you?
Yes, there was one unforgettable moment. We were on the ferry heading toward Tsim Sha Tsui. The actress was leaning against the backseat, sunlight spilling in at an angle, tracing the edges of her hair and the chair. The background was all metal structure and reflection. At that instant, the light seemed to swirl softly inside the Petzval’s bokeh - it felt like the scene was wrapped in a dream.
Was there a particular shot that moved you emotionally when reviewing the footage? Do you think the Petzval Art Lenses add narrative depth as well as visual character?
There was a scene on a sunlit street at sunset. The actress walked against the backlight, the golden light falling on her shoulders while dust floated in the air - it felt like stepping through a tunnel of time. I adjusted the aperture to f/1.9, letting the bokeh bloom. I wanted the audience to walk into her world with the lens. The Joseph Petzval’s swirl bokeh worked its quiet magic - the frame seemed to breathe. It didn’t just add depth to the image, it gave the story a sense of warmth and dreamlike texture.
If this lens were a creative partner, how would you describe its personality? Do you feel like you’re leading it, or is it guiding you?
I’d say it’s gentle. On the surface, I’m the one controlling it, but often it’s guiding me - toward angles and light I might have otherwise missed. It’s not a tool to be mastered so much as a partner with its own mood and breath. In its dreamy perspective, stories grow naturally. It reminds me: don’t rush to define - feel first. Shooting becomes a dialogue, not a command.
How did the lens perform technically with your camera setup? Was it easy to operate features like the 7-level bokeh control and focus compatibility?
I use a Sony FX3, and the Joseph Petzval lenses are available in Sony E-mount - so no adapter needed. Mounting was straightforward.
The 7-level bokeh control system really stood out to me. I could intuitively adjust the swirl intensity depending on the scene and mood. That flexibility sped up my workflow while keeping things spontaneous - like having a conversation with the light. A simple twist can shift the image from realistic to dreamlike in seconds.
When would you choose to use these lenses? What types of projects or scenes do you think they suit best?
Whenever reality and dream begin to blur. When I want an image to transcend the everyday and give the viewer a touch of the uncanny - that’s Petzval territory. It’s perfect for emotional, poetic subjects - memory, dreams, farewells, reunions. It helps me find an “emotional light,” so the story isn’t just told - it’s felt.
Any tips for someone curious to try the Joseph Petzval lenses?
Go wide open. The swirly bokeh shines in medium shots and close-ups. Try to play with layered light and subtle textures, and don’t worry about missing focus or motion blur, those “imperfections” often turn into the most heartfelt moments. This is a lens that rewards experimentation. When you loosen control and let the image happen, it gives you something irreplaceable: a memory made of light.
Thank you Leto for capturing such intimate moments of light and emotion with the Joseph Petzval Art Lens Series, and for taking us on the poetic journey through Hong Kong.
To see more of her work, follow her on Rednote.
written by jluo on 2025-11-02 #gear #people #places #videos #hong-kong #bokeh #swirl #cinematic #leto #art-lens #petzval
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