View Full Version : Lensbaby thread - Pics and tips ........
Bought a Lensbaby Composer, and prior to getting it I searched far and wide for pics, comments and tips. Found pics on Flickr and a useful forum on the official Lensbaby site.
I know that the Lensbaby is a bit of a niche and is a lot like marmite - Love it or hate it!!
So, I thought I'd start this thread for some pics and general thoughts on the Lensbaby. Certainly something I would have liked to have found when I was doing a bit of research.
Hope this is helpful to some and that others with this lens give their ideas and photos too.
A couple of examples of my shots this weekend.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3380/3581846361_dbf785fa0a_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3581844565_c17253f1da_o.jpg
robbytherobot
01-06-2009, 09:11
would you mind commenting on why you picked the composer instead of the muse? I want to buy one, but not sure if the benefits of the composer is worth the huge price tag difference! cheers :)
Hi Robby. I looked at the muse as well as watched a couple of youTube videos. To me the muse looked more tricky to use where you set the focus point and had to hand hold it there. All sorts of opportunities for my fingers to fail!!
The Composer, with its ball socket is so easy. It moves easily to where you want it - And more importantly to me - Stays there!
Had the Muse, but found it very hard to hold in position if you're pulling some extension out of it for a close up (flower etc) but it's not so bad for normal distances. So I got the Control Freak which I really enjoy using. Though thinking about it, I've not used it for, erm, quite a long time...
The Composer was not available when I bought, but I think that's the one I'd go for now.
Hi Robby. I looked at the muse as well as watched a couple of youTube videos. To me the muse looked more tricky to use where you set the focus point and had to hand hold it there. All sorts of opportunities for my fingers to fail!!
The Composer, with its ball socket is so easy. It moves easily to where you want it - And more importantly to me - Stays there!
you got some links to those vids??
robbytherobot
01-06-2009, 13:34
thanks for the tip! checked out some videos including this one on the site http://www.lensbaby.com/lenses-muse.php
you are right, it does look terribly difficult to manipulate. but I might just get the muse since I can't afford the composer right now, haha. and when the money comes I'll upgrade! :naughty:
damn, looking at your pictures and checking out the videos... my appetite is whetted! :D
Claymore
01-06-2009, 14:10
Bought a Lensbaby Composer, and prior to getting it I searched far and wide for pics, comments and tips. Found pics on Flickr and a useful forum on the official Lensbaby site.
I know that the Lensbaby is a bit of a niche and is a lot like marmite - Love it or hate it!!
So, I thought I'd start this thread for some pics and general thoughts on the Lensbaby. Certainly something I would have liked to have found when I was doing a bit of research.
Hope this is helpful to some and that others with this lens give their ideas and photos too.
A couple of examples of my shots this weekend.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3380/3581846361_dbf785fa0a_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3581844565_c17253f1da_o.jpg
Woooooooooooooooooahhhhhhhhhhhhhh the top shot is what i see when i have had too many drams LoL
Like you say Marmite factor, personally i have spent years and loads of money trying to get sharp in focus shots and Lens babies seem to be going in reverse to me?
Same goes with current interest in Pin Hole camera's retro or what? what's next glass plates? LoL
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3581844565_c17253f1da_o.jpg
I thought Lens Babies were for people portraits and not cat's bums? :lol:
that 1st picture gave me headache just looking at it.
I thought Lens Babies were for people portraits and not cat's bums? :lol:
:lol::lol::lol:
I guess Lensbabies can be for whatever you want them - Including cats bums!!!!
What is a Lensbaby?
Check out here (http://lensbaby.com/)
swanseamale47
02-06-2009, 06:24
While these are fun, they are a bit of a "one trick pony" and pricey as well, theres a tendancy to shoot everything with it then chuck it in a draw after a short while when the novelty wears off.
Another pic that I think came out quite well. Shows the sweet spot of focus well.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3581845373_d4c7beb4d8_o.jpg
robbytherobot
03-06-2009, 21:48
Another pic that I think came out quite well. Shows the sweet spot of focus well.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3581845373_d4c7beb4d8_o.jpg
:thumbs: i like this!
It looks like you've used the blur tool with a bit of smudge in Photoshop...
I thought Lens Babies were for people portraits and not cat's bums? :lol:
:lol::lol::lol:
A couple of examples of my shots this weekend.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3380/3581846361_dbf785fa0a_o.jpg
Wow, makes you feel disorientated :eek:
Great shot, can definately see the attraction :thumbs:
big will
04-06-2009, 11:49
While these are fun, they are a bit of a "one trick pony" and pricey as well, theres a tendancy to shoot everything with it then chuck it in a draw after a short while when the novelty wears off.
I totally agree with this. Mine is now sat in its box.
willp2003
04-06-2009, 15:40
i've got a lensbaby 2.0 and i can't use the thing to save my life (got given it from crimbo).
it's just far too hard to focus while trying to hold the lens where you want it
i've got a lensbaby 2.0 and i can't use the thing to save my life (got given it from crimbo).
it's just far too hard to focus while trying to hold the lens where you want it
Welcome to TP Will :)
I agree with you, all the LensBabies are quite fiddly to use when you're trying to frame up a pic. Except the Composer that Sara has. That one is a real doddle, which is why they made it I guess, because it doesn't actually do anything that the other versions do not - just real easy to use.
I think it really is more than just a gimmick or toy, even though that tends to be the way you use it at first. Some wonderful pics on their website linked to above.
Tried to play with achieving a tilt / shift effect. I know that it will be easier to see in an urban environment, but thought that this worked quite well. Watch this space for some more!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/3596053650_7f697e2c99_o.jpg
Richard King
04-06-2009, 21:22
try shooting a portrait with one
try shooting a portrait with one
I can't shoot a portrait with a normal lens, I doubt I'll try with this one either. They're just not my thing :)
I can't shoot a portrait with a normal lens, I doubt I'll try with this one either. They're just not my thing :)
LensBaby makes quite a good dreamy/soft portrait lens. I've used it with a 1.4x extender to get 70mm f/2.8 :)
What focal length are they??? and i take it they are wide open all the time?? someone should try one with a 3x converter just to see the result...oh the hilarity..:woot:
specialman
05-06-2009, 14:01
My eyes bleed and a little bit of me dies inside when I see Lensbaby stuff. What a shame...
david1701
05-06-2009, 19:28
My eyes bleed and a little bit of me dies inside when I see Lensbaby stuff. What a shame...
post of the day contender - I gave post of the day away earlier - to flash I think....
What focal length are they??? and i take it they are wide open all the time?? someone should try one with a 3x converter just to see the result...oh the hilarity..:woot:
LensBaby is 50mm f/2. They come with a range of manual aperture discs, to f/22. That's how you change the size of the blurry bit, and depth of field. At high f/numbers they are actually quite sharp :eek:
Intriguing, but I've not seen anything that you couldn't do in photoshop? Or am I missing something?
Intriguing, but I've not seen anything that you couldn't do in photoshop? Or am I missing something?
There is actually nothing that you cannot do in Photoshop, at least in theory. If you're prepared to modify every flippin pixel by hand.
But to do what a LensBaby does, or most other optical effects, is far, far easier when done in camera. And it's a lot more fun that sitting in front of a computer for hours on end.
There is actually nothing that you cannot do in Photoshop, at least in theory. If you're prepared to modify every flippin pixel by hand.
But to do what a LensBaby does, or most other optical effects, is far, far easier when done in camera. And it's a lot more fun that sitting in front of a computer for hours on end.
:agree:
I don't have the PP skills to get the effect, nor the time. For me the LB is a bit of fun as well as actually really liking the effects that it produces. I know it's not every ones cup of tea.
Would love to see some more pics from other people before I bore you all to death with my pics and you get really bored of this thread :D
robbytherobot
06-06-2009, 12:14
So!
I went for a Muse with a plastic optic in the end cos of the cheapness of it. :) Also figured that it would be a less of a pain if it turned out to not be my thing. First thoughts: soft, soft, softtttt!! But I do think I might get used to it, quite liking some of the shots i've taken! but the success rate is really low. maybe its just me :D
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/Lensbaby.jpg
Here's one, no blemishes on the skin as you can see, hahaha.
I think I'd rather just buy a knackered old lens on eBay and take it apart and mess about with the elements + blutac personally :D
cowasaki
06-06-2009, 13:35
Its not for me really, just looks like your photo went wrong somehow.
Robby, Congrats on your new LB!! You can see where the sweet spot is on the lens, Prefer the sharpness of the glass optic to be honest, as believe it or not I do like stuff to be in focus!
So here's another pic. Slightly different, taken with f22 and Raynox, showing the sharpness that is possible.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/3607622385_d0e5af6223_o.jpg
Interested to hear your thoughts on this one.
hypnotic
08-06-2009, 19:09
Intriguing, but I've not seen anything that you couldn't do in photoshop? Or am I missing something?
I was thinking the same thing but was too embarrassed to ask ... :D
I was thinking the same thing but was too embarrassed to ask ... :D
I'm crap at PP and quite enjoy this lens :shrug:
robbytherobot
08-06-2009, 20:19
I was thinking the same thing but was too embarrassed to ask ... :D
There's not much you can't do in PP if you know how... its just a fun lens i guess :lol:
So!
I went for a Muse with a plastic optic in the end cos of the cheapness of it. :) Also figured that it would be a less of a pain if it turned out to not be my thing. First thoughts: soft, soft, softtttt!! But I do think I might get used to it, quite liking some of the shots i've taken! but the success rate is really low. maybe its just me :D
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/Lensbaby.jpg
Here's one, no blemishes on the skin as you can see, hahaha.
Thats the sort of picture id expect at 1/15 and no flash. I fail to see the lensbaby effect.
Dean:)
robbytherobot
08-06-2009, 21:24
Thats the sort of picture id expect at 1/15 and no flash. I fail to see the lensbaby effect.
Dean:)
:shrug: each his own really. can't help feel this thread has lost its mojo. if you don't like it, don't buy it. right?? :thinking:
There's not much you can't do in PP if you know how... its just a fun lens i guess :lol:
The point about doing stuff in post processing is valid, but you have to draw the line somewhere. I'm all for a bit of tweaking in PP, but substantially manipulating an image digitally, to create something essentially different to the original lens image, is not photography, it's more digital art IMHO.
Photography means painting with light, it does not mean painting with pixels :)
swanseamale47
08-06-2009, 21:40
There is actually nothing that you cannot do in Photoshop, at least in theory. If you're prepared to modify every flippin pixel by hand.
But to do what a LensBaby does, or most other optical effects, is far, far easier when done in camera. And it's a lot more fun that sitting in front of a computer for hours on end.
The effect is easy enough to mimic, 2 minutes in photoshop, made into an action it would be a lot quicker. Waynehttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3608924652_75522b3490_o.jpg
The effect is easy enough to mimic, 2 minutes in photoshop, made into an action it would be a lot quicker. Waynehttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3608924652_75522b3490_o.jpg
Good attempt Wayne, but no ;)
And where's the fun in that! It's too clinical, and there's none of the flare, the rainbow dispersion, the wacky distortion, and generally unpredictable randomness you get from a really rubbish lens, like the LensBaby.
The stuff you get from the ultra-crude plastic LensBaby optic, or the pin-hole accessory, are way further out there.
Not to everybody's taste for sure, and I guess a bit unfashionable with the current obsession with uber-sharpness, but whatever floats yer lilo.
I'd like to see someone have a go with one for pre-wedding bride pics.
Cummon guys, I'd like to see some more of people's pics, not just opinions on whether the effects can be copied in photoshop.
swanseamale47
09-06-2009, 06:10
Good attempt Wayne, but no ;)
And where's the fun in that! It's too clinical, and there's none of the flare, the rainbow dispersion, the wacky distortion, and generally unpredictable randomness you get from a really rubbish lens, like the LensBaby.
The stuff you get from the ultra-crude plastic LensBaby optic, or the pin-hole accessory, are way further out there.
Not to everybody's taste for sure, and I guess a bit unfashionable with the current obsession with uber-sharpness, but whatever floats yer lilo.
I'd like to see someone have a go with one for pre-wedding bride pics.
Adding the fringing/flare is easy, the beauty of this method is it's controlable, and I have the proper shot if I want it.
tikkathreebarrel
09-06-2009, 06:31
Well, I've just acquired (through this forum - thanks for another smooth transaction:clap:) a 3G.
It's wierd, it's not a device for instant gratification - it requires some working at.
What are the controls? Okay, I've got the Lensbaby 3G which looks like some kind of anti-personnel device with concertina tube, focussing ring, three control rods, lock and release buttons.
Centre the focus ring, Pull the tube in or push it out, get focus, set the 'baby on the hurr/wonk/skew, lock it in place, fine tune focus, fine tune the control rods and then..... squeeze the shutter release.
Oh yes, did you want to change the aperture? better change disk!
I've only had an hour or so behind the lens so far, it's definitely NOT a case of instant results and I look forward to seeing what a difference adding a tripod makes.
This then is just a taster with my L plates on.
40D, Lensbaby 3G, f/2.0, ISO100, 1/640
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn131/tikkathreebarrels/_MG_9359-1_edited-1.jpg
it's alive
09-06-2009, 06:40
I actually like this one. Good initial effort :-)
Have considered getting one of these on and off for ages, but not yeet taken the plunge.
Whilst these things may be done in PP, like some others, I'd rather spend less time in front of a computer and more behind a camera. That's just what's fun for me, it's not as if I'm going to be producing commercial images that I have to get a return on . . .
If I loved messing in PS then I'd probably have the opposite view.
Hopefully there'll be more images posted in this thread over time and I can get a better idea of what is achievable?
Nice shot with your LB tikkathreebarrel - Nailed that sweet spot nicely.
Here's another rather different shot (Still not people!!)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3607861443_e9f28a197b_o.jpg
Hope that these different shots will give people some ideas of what is possible - Yes I know you could PP it!!
^^^ Nice Sara :)
And dammit, I've just gone and bought (another) one! I only sold my Lensbabies 3G last week, but I got such a good deal on a 70-200 4 L IS, £799 from kerso, I've been seduced by a Composer this time, plus the flary plastic lens module.
It's on back order but I should get it late next week :D
This link isnt lensbaby but it gives an excellent example of tilt/shift effect
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/5570164/Little-London-Tilt-shift-photos-of-London-by-Toby-Allen.html
kevin612
20-06-2009, 02:01
Anyone thought that the LensBabies are a bit over priced?
Cause I thought the price could be 30-40% off the original price..
Anyone thought that the LensBabies are a bit over priced?
Cause I thought the price could be 30-40% off the original price..
Over priced for what they are, or over priced for what they do? Yeah, probably a bit of both, but foks seem to be buying them.
If they were made by the million in China, they would cost a tenner, but I guess they're made in small numbers, in the US. I think.
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