Lensbaby

[edolyne]

Santa was very good to me this year and I am looking at investing in a Lensbaby for doing some creative photography work. Just wondering if anyone has one of these and what your experience has been with it. Is it ultimatly worth the price that you paid?

[DVC Jen]

I don't have one - no idea how much they are - but I just wanted to say.... if you do get one, please post some photos with it. I think they are just so cool.

[Chikabowa]

I'm doing a large lens buy tonight. The lensbaby composer is in my basket as we speak. I will share some pics sometime next week after I get it!

[YesDear]

Double post. Operator problem!

[YesDear]

Susan... I am soo proud!!!!!!!!! Let us know what you get!

I know you are in the trade but it is always great to see people expand their collection!

Also let me know if I can have any of your not used anymores!!!!!!!! LOL

[annnewjerz]

I'm doing a large lens buy tonight. The lensbaby composer is in my basket as we speak. I will share some pics sometime next week after I get it!

Ugh, large lens buy...that is a phrase I hope to utter one day, maybe when I win the lotto! :goodvibes Congrats and definitely post some pictures with the new lenses, we'll be looking forward to them!

[edolyne]

Thanks for all the responses, good luck with the lens buy, can't wait to see the photo's and hear your feedback.

[tiggr33]

I was considering getting the Canon 100-400, but I have heard very mixed reviews on losing sharpness on either end. I have a Canon 28-135 with the same problem and it is frustrating. For the price point the Sigma seems like a good choice. I played with it at Photo Expo Plus this past week, but playing with it at a trade show and real life applications are two seperte things. So anyone owning this lens I'd like to know what you think.

I'm also toying with getting a lensbaby. Ofcourse everyone I know that has one is a Nikon user, so I cannot borrow one to play with. I really like the idea of the selective focus. And I am looking at it for specific macro uses. But I'm just not sure.

[pisco]

I love me Lensbaby but would not necessary recommend it for macro work. I have the macro attachment but with the reduce area of focus to begin with, trying to get macros in focus is a real bear.

[giantstu]

I have the 100-400L, but i don't think i would spend the extra over a Sigma 120-400 next time.
the Sigma is almost half the price, but is definately not half the lens.
Result are only marginaly sharper on the 100-400

[Chikabowa]

I have the lensbaby composer. It's fun... but the potential to over use the effect is definitely there. And I will tell you... it is the hardest lens in my bag to use in terms of getting that shot perfect. I never feel like my shots are 100% crisp. So it's sat in my bag a good majority of the summer unused which is sad. I got it back in January and I took an evening while in Las Vegas just to play with it a bit. Here are some of the (few) shots that turned out. :)

If you want a macro, I suggest getting a macro and skipping the lensbaby w/macro attachment. I have a small 60mm macro which does me perfectly for the type of work I need to do. It was cheap, about $400-$500 and it has sharp sharp sharp shots that I just don't get with the lensbaby. Lensbaby is fun for different shots though.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3295277077_01037a8ffb_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3295276803_1c2bd790ba_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3295276757_4ac0518f67_o.jpg

As you can see from the first three shots... totally potential to over use. They are all composed exactly the same.... I swear I didn't do it on purpose, but in coming home, I realized what I had done. So it was really good that I practiced with it while there.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3588/3296101818_5ff8163349_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3295277395_d074066293_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3296102032_e866e6b60f_o.jpg

[tiggr33]

I love me Lensbaby but would not necessary recommend it for macro work. I have the macro attachment but with the reduce area of focus to begin with, trying to get macros in focus is a real bear.
Thanks for the reply. I looked at your flickr gallery and keyworded lensbaby. Ewww SNAKE!!!! (I hate snakes) luckily you used a lensbaby and most of it was fuzzy, so I didn't have a heart attack. I really like the deer in the woods.

I have the 100-400L, but i don't think i would spend the extra over a Sigma 120-400 next time.
the Sigma is almost half the price, but is definately not half the lens.
Result are only marginaly sharper on the 100-400
Thanks. I know what you mean about the price points with minimal difference in quality. I am specifically looking at the Sigma 50-500.

I have the lensbaby composer. It's fun... but the potential to over use the effect is definitely there. And I will tell you... it is the hardest lens in my bag to use in terms of getting that shot perfect. I never feel like my shots are 100% crisp. So it's sat in my bag a good majority of the summer unused which is sad. I got it back in January and I took an evening while in Las Vegas just to play with it a bit. Here are some of the (few) shots that turned out. :)

If you want a macro, I suggest getting a macro and skipping the lensbaby w/macro attachment. I have a small 60mm macro which does me perfectly for the type of work I need to do. It was cheap, about $400-$500 and it has sharp sharp sharp shots that I just don't get with the lensbaby. Lensbaby is fun for different shots though.


I love the cab meter shot. I have macros. And I get a lot of use out of my 100mm. I am considering the lensbaby with or without the macro, for some specific set ups I have in my mind. I know they are not the easiest to focus - I played with them last week at a Photo expo. But that is one big advantage of digital- instant gratification or re-work feedback. I think I'll rent one to decide. Has anyone had problems with the screws on the composer? I have heard they have a tendency to fail/fall out.

[WillowBelle]

I have the Lensbaby 3G, which I believe is now the Composer. Mine has the screws for the extra focus. I've never had a problem with any part of the lens. It is a lens that you wouldn't be able to use on the fly. I took it with me when we were last at the world and it never came out of the bag. Of course, I had a rented fisheye that almost never came off my body :lmao:. I have photos from our Vegas trip (funny how it works so well there) but they are on another computer. I really like to use it in the fall bending and blending all the colors.

I also have the macro as well as telephoto attachments. One thing I've found with the telephoto, if you bend it too far you see the barrel - so, in a way that helps tone down the overbending.

The 3G:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/mom22/lensbaby3g-001.jpg

[ogreenlee]

i think the lensbaby would be cool at disney.

[zackiedawg]

Don't know about the lensbaby...but on the other topic, the Sigma 50-500: I've seen plenty of good results from the lens at most ranges throughout, and I shopped it and compared it extensively when looking for a long zoom for wildlife and bird work. I was also comparing the Tamron 200-500 lens, which also got similar reviews - both seem to be well reviewed lenses with a good fan base. Personally, I couldn't see any discernible difference between them at 500mm - both were reasonably sharp and detailed...I personally liked the colors of the Tamron a bit more, and found the bokeh to be ever so slightly more desirable (both were excellent in this regard for distant backgrounds). When it came down to it, I just slightly preferred the Tamron but image-wise would be glad with either...but the Tamron's cheaper price tag, and lighter weight and smaller size, won the day. I've been shooting the Tammy for a bit under 2 years now, and love it. It may be at least worth some consideration. Here's my gallery of shots from the Tamron 200-500mm F5-6.3 lens:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/tamron_200500mm_f563

There's 8 pages of thumbnails to scroll through if interested.

[Chikabowa]

I have the Lensbaby 3G, which I believe is now the Composer.
The 3G:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/mom22/lensbaby3g-001.jpg

No - this is NOT the composer. The composer doesn't have screws like this one. :) This one is now called the "Control Freak". (http://www.lensbaby.com/lenses-controlfreak.php)

This is the Composer. (http://www.lensbaby.com/lenses-composer.php)

[WillowBelle]

No - this is NOT the composer. The composer doesn't have screws like this one. :) This one is now called the "Control Freak". (http://www.lensbaby.com/lenses-controlfreak.php)

This is the Composer. (http://www.lensbaby.com/lenses-composer.php)

As my 9 year old daughter would say, 'My bad' :rotfl:. Didn't mean to get them confused. TBH, since I've gotten my 3G and all the attachments, I don't bother to see what they've upgraded with. Of course, the new and improved lenses came out shortly after I got my 3G :headache:. I wish I had known, I would have waited.

[Chikabowa]

I couldn't stomach the idea of lensbaby until I got the composer. All the screws sticking out scared me. :) :) :)

[WillowBelle]

Thought I'd share two photos that I took just a bit ago. We live in middle-Tennessee and are in the midst of one heckuva ice - snow - ice - snow (that's the pattern it's been taking) storm. Grabbed the Lensbaby to snap a few pics to capture the flakes as they fall....taken from the safe shelter of my front porch.

http://pixiewillow.smugmug.com/Weather/Winter-Wonderland/LB-Snow/776270007_EmT5x-L.jpg

http://pixiewillow.smugmug.com/Weather/Winter-Wonderland/LB-Snow-2/776269954_NYtKp-L.jpg

[topdog]

Interesting...how does the set up work?

[Dizzyworld]

How fun! Post more.

[WillowBelle]

Interesting...how does the set up work?

In simplest terms a Lensbaby lens is a flexible lens, where you are able to move the point of focus wherever you want it and it throws everything else out of focus. It can be difficult to figure at first, it doesn't "talk" to your camera so you have to use it in 'M' mode or 'Av' (apperature priority) mode. You have apperature rings that you drop in to adjust the settings. In this case I used a ring that I had punched a star shape into....have yet to find a snowflake punchout small enough to punch the disk. This is what I wish I could have used!

http://lensbaby.com.au/lenses.php

How fun! Post more.

I would, but it has stopped here for now. It was really coming down, so didn't want to step out from the awning to get pictures from different directions. I'll be up for a few more hours. Maybe it'll start back up again and I can brave the weather to do more. :thumbsup2

[WillowBelle]

Here's one last one....too cold and WET to go any further...

http://pixiewillow.smugmug.com/Weather/Winter-Wonderland/LB-Snow-3/776411888_HvrzB-L.jpg

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Cool! Which lensbaby did you get?

[Suburbanmom]

Fun pics! Thanks for sharing!

[WillowBelle]

Cool! Which lensbaby did you get?

I have the 3G, it was the 3rd generation lens when they first came out with them (the first one you could lock into place). They dont' even make it anymore, now that they have this new series. I've had it for a few years now.

[PhotographyDR]

I have to say I love the lensbaby that I have. I have taken and seen a bunch of great shots with that lens. These I could not let go as just another shot. The creative idea is stunning. In fact I like them so much I will have to duplicate them. I usually don't like just doing the same thing someone else does but these are just brilliant. Great job.

[WillowBelle]

WOW! So happy that I could inspire someone. Your comment made my day!

Thanks :goodvibes

[WillowBelle]

As a sidenote - to get the flakes to show up the way they did....use your flash :thumbsup2. All I had was a lone streetlight to try to "focus" with. The flash will capture and stop the flakes.

[tlcmommyx4]

Verv nice pic. I am sorry that I am so new at this, but this is a lens that make the stars?

[tlcmommyx4]

Verv nice pic. I am sorry that I am so new at this, but this is a lens that make the stars?

[WillowBelle]

Verv nice pic. I am sorry that I am so new at this, but this is a lens that make the stars?

No, the lens is flexable to where you can move the focal point where you want it. It is completely manual - to the point where you don't change the apperature, you have discs that you put in that change it. You can punch the discs out with craft punches to give extra design (rather than just an oval shape that you would get with the standard circular disc). I also have a flower punch, a maple leaf, a squiggly line. What happens is that things that catch light take the shape of whatever design are in the disc.

Here's one of my youngest daughter and myself a few years ago....again with the star disc:

http://pixiewillow.smugmug.com/Photography/Lensbaby/lb2/777174349_7fn4r-L.jpg

Here's one with the flower disc that I have:

http://pixiewillow.smugmug.com/Photography/Lensbaby/lb3/777176784_686KU-L.jpg

[tlcmommyx4]

No, the lens is flexable to where you can move the focal point where you want it. It is completely manual - to the point where you don't change the apperature, you have discs that you put in that change it. You can punch the discs out with craft punches to give extra design (rather than just an oval shape that you would get with the standard circular disc). I also have a flower punch, a maple leaf, a squiggly line. What happens is that things that catch light take the shape of whatever design are in the disc.

Here's one of my youngest daughter and myself a few years ago....again with the star disc:

http://pixiewillow.smugmug.com/Photography/Lensbaby/lb2/777174349_7fn4r-L.jpg

Here's one with the flower disc that I have:

http://pixiewillow.smugmug.com/Photography/Lensbaby/lb3/777176784_686KU-L.jpg
Very nice, and thank you so much for the information. Have a wonderful day.:banana:

[PhotographyDR]

I just had to wait until we got some snow to try this. Not my best but I did not remember it until late at night so I had to do a quick try.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4345357249_bb47bfeb27_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12197785@N03/4345357249/)

[WillowBelle]

Great photo :thumbsup2. Oh how I wish I had the snowflake punchout. I don't think about it until it's actually snowing :headache:.

Glad I could inspire!!!

[Groucho]

Cool stuff... I had just gotten my Composer a few days before our trip (see my live TR for some examples of it in use, the full TR will have more LB shots soon) so I haven't played with any of the various cutouts. One more thing to play with and put on the list for next trip...

[WillowBelle]

I saw your LB use in your TR. You did a great job with it considering you'd JUST gotten it before you pulled out. I'm happy with the way mine turned out condisering it's basically impossible to manually focus in pitch dark. Luckily that lens is one that can be forgiving when the subject is something like falling snow.

[Groucho]

Thanks! My initial few times using it were very intimidating - I just couldn't seem to get anything in focus at all! I eventually settled on using F2.8 - F2.0 is extremely difficult to get focus on and by F4, you're starting to lose the effect a little. Still, it's rather like shooting at F1.2 - it isn't easy to get the shot you want every time, but when it works, it's pretty great. :)

I'll have to work on making some custom disks soon...