Does anyone use a Lens Baby at Disney?

[MissRoseRed]

Hi, I'm considering getting a new lens for my Canon T1i before my next trip to WDW. It's between a 50mm f1.8 and the Lens Baby Composer. I'd love the faster prime for the dark rides, but I'm not sure I'd use it enough outside of Disney to justify the cost. I haven't found much info on the Lens Babies, but what I have found looks pretty cool and I think I would use it around town and with my animals and such. I'm just not sure about using it at the World...

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. :thumbsup2 Thanks!

[ukcatfan]

Groucho has one and I know he used it at WDW. From what he said, it is tricky to use and I believe he said that a tripod is practically a must for it. While I think it would be fun, I personally believe you would get more out of the 50mm.

[saturndb]

I have used my lensbaby at Disney a few times. It is fun to play with. If I can find some of my pics from it, I will post them.

[Chikabowa]

Lensbaby is fun when you want a specialized shot. It isn't something you'll use as much as you'll use a 50mm.

I have the composer and it's VERY tricky to use. It's a hard lens to master and I even have difficulty a good portion of the time. It is manual focus so unless you are quick doing that, you'll get frustrated taking action shots.

Personally I feel like after about 15 minutes and 5 shots, I'm kinda done with it. In all honesty, I think you could photograph and entire Disney vacation with ONLY a 50mm if you had the challenge set before you.

[MissRoseRed]

Thanks! You all convinced me - I'm going with the prime. I'll probably get the lens baby at some point, but from what I've read here and other places, it would be best to play around with it before going to Disney. Last thing I need is stress over my lens :rolleyes:

I have the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II on hold at the photo store, picking it up tonight! :thumbsup2

I'm still interested if anyone has any pics or tips for the lens baby...

ETA: Chikabowa: I do love a challenge! (might be an excuse not to lug around the other lens, too!) :)

[Suburbanmom]

If I lived near WDW and was able to go several times a year, I would bring my lens baby and have fun with it one day. But, if I'm only getting one week at WDW every three years or so, I'm leaving it at home. :)

[ChiSoxKeith]

Congrats on your new lens!!

I'm thinking of picking that one up too (or maybe even the 1.4 if I can swing a freelance gig or two between now and my December trip).

K

[Groucho]

I'm not the first one to use a Lensbaby at WDW, but I've probably posted the most pictures from one here. I grabbed a Composer shortly before the last trip - which is probably a lot easier to shoot with than the basic $80 model, and it's still very, very challenging. An autofocus 50mm F1.8 is probably going to be much, much more useful.

It is quite fun on a tripod though, when used in conjunction with Live View, to let you verify exactly what is and isn't in focus. You can see a lot of shots from it in the January 2010 trip report (see my signature for the link), I'll post a few here to give you an immediate idea:

http://www.groucho.org/pics/49644-2/WDW2010-163.jpg

http://www.groucho.org/pics/49701-2/WDW2010-182.jpg

http://www.groucho.org/pics/49704-2/WDW2010-183.jpg

http://www.groucho.org/pics/49710-2/WDW2010-185.jpg

http://www.groucho.org/pics/50560-2/WDW2010-334.jpg

http://www.groucho.org/pics/50563-2/WDW2010-335.jpg

http://www.groucho.org/pics/50575-2/WDW2010-339.jpg

http://www.groucho.org/pics/50772-2/WDW2010-379.jpg

This is probably safe to file under "no one else has tried this shot before at WDW": handheld fireworks photos with a Lensbaby from Tomorrowland!

http://www.groucho.org/pics/50811-2/WDW2010-392.jpg

[MissRoseRed]

Great pics, Groucho! The lens baby is definitely going on my Christmas list - along with a 2011 trip to Disney to use it ;)

I only shot a couple pics with the 50mm last night, but I think it's gonna be fun too. I'll be sure and post some pics when I get back.

Thanks!!