A "lensbaby"???

Poisson Du Jour · Nov 12, 2008

Another analogist bumped into me this morning as I was lining up an approaching thunderstorm at the beach. He had a Canon EOS 5 with what is called a "lensbaby" on it. It looked like a miniature halo brace, and apparently it can do many things a perspective control lens can do? It's the first time I've seen such an invention (he assures me it isn't a home-made thing). Has anybody here heard of this gadget? Just out of interest, what can it do?

wildbill · Nov 12, 2008

yes, google lensbaby, they've been around for a few years.

http://lensbaby.com/

David A. Goldfarb · Nov 12, 2008

Yes, they're essentially a simple lens that you can move to achieve some kinds of view camera effects, but the lens isn't as good as even relatively cheap standard view camera lenses. The distortion is part of the charm. Since the original one came out, they've added one with three tensioning rods that you can set in one position and have it stay, and the newest has a rotating ball joint fitting for more precise placement, but in my opinion, the newest version costs too much for what it is.

JBrunner · Nov 12, 2008

I've played with them, and they are pretty fun. Kind of like a adjustable petzval for 35mm. The guy at the store tried to tell me it made my SLR into a view camera. I peed a little when he said that, and developed a short term facial tick from trying to keep a straight face.

All in all though a pretty cool little gadget. I wouldn't mind having one, but its not at the top of the list.

Poisson Du Jour · Nov 12, 2008

The guy at the store tried to tell me it made my SLR into a view camera. I peed a little when he said that, and developed a short term facial tick from trying to keep a straight face.

[ Hoots of laughter ... ]

I'm in the process of Googling for this contraption and have I think just landed on the Lensbaby website.
The first thing I can see is that rod-model... exactly what I saw this morning. I don't think it's a patch on my Canon TS-E 24L PC lens, with which I quite often tilt, tow, compress or narrow DoF and focus in any direction. Still, for what looks like an engineering marvel, the comparitively cheap (compared to a PC lens) LB would be worth it as an fun introduction to a new angle on creative imaging!
...Jumping to Lensbaby for a read-up...

Poisson Du Jour · Nov 12, 2008

BTW Jason, I'd really, really love to see images of Antelope and Slot Canyons in UTAH shot with a PC lens. You doubtless know of them and their beautiful stained walls <sigh>. What a cool place to take a lensbaby for a walk ...

Colin Corneau · Nov 12, 2008

I've used one. It was a gadget that was all the rage a while back among 35mm digital shooters.

These trends come and go. Another one was sports shooters using old Crown or Speed Graphics and using either Type55 film or playing with tilt/shift to make a huge scene (such as a soccer field or crowded beach) seem like miniature toys.

Aaa-aaa-anyway...the lens that comes with this isn't very high quality. Think Holga.

If you like the Holga look and want to add a dash of Petzval/selective focus, then you've found your gadget.

markbarendt · Nov 12, 2008

Yep, had version 2. Fun for a while. Not real predictable.

The newer versions are easier.

I got tired of the effect and sold it.

SilverGlow · Nov 13, 2008

I had the Gen One version...it was cacaaa. However I want to get the latest one...it seems to work much better....

paxette · Nov 13, 2008

I have the original, used it once or twice and, since then it's been gathering dust. There are some photographers who make marvellous images with them (and why I succumbed) I took a few nice shots with mine but the rest gave me motion sickness looking at them - heh.

jerry lebens · Nov 13, 2008

I reviewed the first version for Black and White Photography Magazine. It's fun. It really can't do what a proper tilt/shift lens does - but you can tilt and shift it after a fashion. If you don't enjoy the idea of 'happy accidents' in your photography, then it's probably not for you. The only thing I'd add to the comments above is that it blurs and melts colour very attractively.

I think there's a lensbaby website that exhibits images sent in by users, that should give you a good idea of what you can achieve.

Regards
Jerry

Poisson Du Jour · Nov 13, 2008

I hit a review of the Lensbaby 3G "control freak" in D****** Imaging Accessory Review. The sample photos there don't really hit it off with me at all. The image of "falling into a scene" is reminiscent of the push-pull zoom during exposure gimmick that was popular in the 1980s in my student days. The images don't appear very sharp compared to, for instance, a top-shelf prime TS-E / PC lens. Critique aside, I'd still be interested in having a play with the gizmo given its unique means of focusing and independence from the camera's electronics ... almost a "large format for small format cameras"! I deduce from USD to AUD conversion that it would be around $470 in Australia. That's quite a packet for a relatively primitive, if clever optic.

Polybun · Nov 15, 2008

JBrunner said:
I've played with them, and they are pretty fun. Kind of like a adjustable petzval for 35mm. The guy at the store tried to tell me it made my SLR into a view camera. I peed a little when he said that, and developed a short term facial tick from trying to keep a straight face.

All in all though a pretty cool little gadget. I wouldn't mind having one, but its not at the top of the list.

Thanks, now every time I watch one of your videos, and see a wet spot on the floor, i'll have to wonder where it came from.

roy · Nov 20, 2008

Lensbabies.

Has anyone any experience of this moveable lens gadget and, if so, does it still feature as a useful accessory ?

bobwysiwyg · Nov 20, 2008

Have a look here.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

David A. Goldfarb · Nov 20, 2008

Threads merged.

B&Jdude · Nov 20, 2008

I guess the Lensbaby can be considered as mainstreamed now, 'cause it is in the Porter's catalogue.

EuGene

A "lensbaby"???

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