Lomography Petzval Portrait Lens: Back To The Photography Future

In the 1800s, the Petzval lens (created by Vienna’s Joseph Petzval) was more popular than nachos—easy to do since nachos were invented in 1943. But no, the Petzval lens was really renowned for its clarity, color saturation, and narrow depth of field. Now the legendary lens is back to the future, ready to attach itself to your Nikon F & Canon EF Mount Analog & Digital SLR cameras. The Lomography Petzval Portrait Lens ($300) is crafted from brass just as the original was, and its Russian-made construction probably means it can handle a winter in Siberia.

Lomography Konstruktor: DIY SLR

Some guys just can’t get enough Do It Yourself projects to satisfy their Tim Allen-esque appetites. If you’ve already conquered the new kitchen counter tops and love swing for the dungeon, why not give making your own camera a try? The Lomography Konstruktor kit ($35) gives you everything you need to build your own 35mm SLR, complete with a detachable 50mm f/10 lens and top-down viewfinder. Lomography says it’s the world’s first 35mm plastic SLR camera. We believe them.

The Lomography Smartphone Film Scanner: Save Your Acid Washed Memories

If you’re older than say, 25, odds are at one time you had a camera that wasn’t digital. And what of those memories? Should they be forever forgotten just because the format is less hip than acid wash jeans? No. Lomography’s Smartphone Film Scanner ($50) saves the day by turning 35mm film strips into modern-day digital bits. Just insert an iPhone or select Android device into the top of the scanner, turn on the back light, pop in the film, and take your photos while bringing the strip through. Finally, a way to show your Facebook friends that you made horrendous clothing choices before 2006 too!