lensbabies

[msvadi]

have fun www.Lensbabies.com (http://www.Lensbabies.com) ;)

[jacob]

Verry Cool

[tpinchback]

interesting... i would like to see a photo at full resolution instead of the small pictures they have posted on the site.

[msvadi]

interesting... i would like to see a photo at full resolution instead of the small pictures they have posted on the site.
I ordered mine a few hours ago. I'll post some examples when I'll get it.

[Hatem Eldoronki]

Thanks for the link, msvadi. I just ordered one now! Can't wait to get it.

[Olegis]

It sure looks like a fun lens to use. The problem is that I've used all my budget for buying a photography-related stuff for now, so I guess that it will have to wait... :cry:

[Hatem Eldoronki]

Isn't this photography-related?

[Olegis]

It is, and I don't have any budget for it now ... :-(

[jaypie77]

What's the appeal of these things? They just look cheap and have a terrible name. Are they actually fun?

[Hatem Eldoronki]

It is, and I don't have any budget for it now ... :-(
One can never have enough money for photo equipment! I am now saving for the 1DsMkII, but things like this lensbabies deal have to get in the middle! I guess as soon as I complete $6k, I'll want a 200mm f1.8, and waste my 1DsmkII money!
I feel you, cousin!

[Pekka]

What's the appeal of these things? They just look cheap and have a terrible name. Are they actually fun? I've had lots of fun with mine. I've also used it to produce some very nice photos - it is very hard to use it well and really good results are rare (mainly because of AF "system" has no locking mechanism) but definitely worth the price - lens for those bored moments and Lomo feelings.

[msvadi]

My lensbaby arrived today. Here's the first try:

http://m9.photoline.ru/critic/pic/1103836492.jpg


For those of you who likes to see actual pixels, you get get 100% crop here:
http://pantheon.yale.edu/~vm49/CRW_7084-COL-cr.jpg (http://pantheon.yale.edu/~vm49/CRW_7084-COL-cr.jpg)

The picture was taken at ISO 800 in dim light, so get ready for some grain ;) Also, I used f/2.8 for maximum diffusion. It gets sharper at f/4, f/5.6 and f/8.

First impressions. If you are obsessed with sharpness, then it's not for you. It produces soft, dream-like images. Focusing on a DRebel is not easy, because the viewfinder is not big enough, but this is always the case with manual focusing on this camera. Another problem, to change the apereture, you actually have to remove and replace the apereture ring (the lens comes with a set of 3 rings, f/2.8 does not require one). It's very easy to do, and takes less than a minute, but most likely, you will never do it outside, and will use the same apereture for all shots.

Other than that, lensbaby is a real fun, can't wait to take it outside for a walk ;)

[Hatem Eldoronki]

Mine came in today too, and I honestly am not 100% happy with it.
Msvadi, you're right, I'll never change the aperture ring, because I will scratch the lens in doing so!
Sorry, I am not 100% impressed neither with the quality, nor with the fit and finish. Make sure that lens is clean of manufacturing pieces of plastic before you slap it on your camera!

[sGu]

I've been wanting to get one for ages, but without seeing full res images stopped me from doing so. Now from what I've seen, it put me in doubts even more ...

How exactly does it work?

[Hatem Eldoronki]

I also have to add that I have yet to try it outdoors...

How it works:
You focus by pushing and pulling the lens' barrel in and out. To change the aperture you have to manually pry out a washer that sits in top of the front element/glass of the lens, and place an aperture ring, then place the washer again to prevent the aperture ring from falling.
You then set your camera to Av, and the camera will meter for the shutter speed, but of course not the aperture value (that stays at '00' since there is no electronic communication between the camera and lens)..

Check out their website if you haven't yet. It could be a great "art" lens, but nothing more.

[msvadi]

mcouper: I don't think one can scratch the lens by changing aperture, may be only by removing the rubber ring when there is no apereture ring under it (f/2.8).

It looks like one has to be quite relaxed about picture taking in order to enjoy a lensbaby, remember, it was designed to create a Holga like experience for digital cameras. Try to read this, may be it will give you some inspiration ;)

http://www.holgamods.com/gallery/gallery.html

[Hatem Eldoronki]

mcouper: I don't think one can scratch the lens by changing aperture, may be only by removing the rubber ring when there is no apereture ring under it (f/2.8).
Try to read this, may be it will give you some inspiration ;)

http://www.holgamods.com/gallery/gallery.html
Msvadi, thanks for the link, and yes, only when the aperture is @ f2.8 that one can scratch the lens.
Interesting link.

[ron chappel]

It's a huge amount of money for something like that.
If there were competition they would charge 1/4 that amount i'm sure!
I had near identical results with a lens off the front of an old pair of cheap binoculars(used as an actual lens-no other lens/s on the camera.Unfortunately it was about a 200mm focal length but i'm sure there are many supercheap lenses that will give these results with a more normal focal length.I'll try a few and see what i can find

[NILOLIGIST]

I think it is interesting. I'm thinking of getting one. I think it would be great for those artsy wedding shots. It is really for creative shooting.

Thanks for posting all the great shots.

NiL,

[arpi]

I got interested when I saw this thread ( I didn't know what they were) but after looking at some of the pics I get very dizzzzy. does anybody else get the dizzy feeling?

[Skip Souza]

Arpi, I think the last line in your signature explains your dizzyness and I agree with you. Looks more like a toy or very artsy fartsy. Makes me queasy.

[Dante King]

I got a buddy that makes these for 5$ from enlarger lenses and collapable tubing. LOL. Looks like fun though, but not for those prices.