Lensbaby on Sale $70, How good are they?

02/11/2010 02:01:31 PM · #1

I've always been intrigued by them... but it just seems you can create their effect in PS. Do you recommend it?

Amazon has the Lensbaby 2.0 for $69.99 with free shipping

Creative Aperture kit for $10

Message edited by author 2010-02-11 14:08:44.

Nuzzer

Canon EOS-7D

02/11/2010 02:30:59 PM · #2

I love mine. They are no good for DPC challenges unless you want low scores though. Check out this thread and you'll see plenty of examples of lensbaby shots.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

02/11/2010 02:41:51 PM · #3

Originally posted by Nuzzer:

I love mine. They are no good for DPC challenges unless you want low scores though. Check out this thread and you'll see plenty of examples of lensbaby shots.

Hey now...the Top 12 Scores for this lens are all 6+. :-)

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

02/11/2010 02:52:25 PM · #4

Originally posted by Nuzzer:

I love mine. They are no good for DPC challenges unless you want low scores though

Unlike some (lol) I don't base my work around votes on DPC.. if I did, I'd have the worst self esteem in the world.

I like the look, but I just feel like I could reproduce it.. however the star and heart aperture rings would be fun to try..

I like DOF, but total blur is not for me. Still trying to make up my mind :\

Spork99

OM System OM-1

02/11/2010 03:04:55 PM · #5

I had the 2.0, I didn't like it as much as I thought I would because I found that it was awkward to move the front of the lens, hold the camera and press the shutter. Not to mention that it was impossible to do the same thing twice. I do love the effects tho.

pawdrix

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

02/11/2010 03:08:22 PM · #6

It's a great tool. Inexpensive and it can help you express yourself in ways no other lens can.

Citadel

Nikon D7500

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/11/2010 03:11:57 PM · #7

Regular price by the way is around $140. The 2.0 is a couple of generations behind but is still a lot of fun to play with (or so I've heard)

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

02/11/2010 03:17:48 PM · #8

Originally posted by Citadel:

Regular price by the way is around $140. The 2.0 is a couple of generations behind but is still a lot of fun to play with (or so I've heard)

The regular price for the "Muse", which is what they call the 2.0 now, is $99 with the plastic lens, or $150 with the glass lens. For $70, you're getting a good deal either way.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

02/11/2010 03:20:23 PM · #9

I'm waiting for the "Control Freak" to ship! B&H said February 2010, Lensbaby direct says March 2010.

02/11/2010 03:42:47 PM · #10

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I think it would be easier with the Live View of the D300, and a shutter release...

I'm leaning more towards just buying it, Spring is coming up.. lots of flowers, fields of flowers, many bokeh and dof opportunities.. hmm :)

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/11/2010 04:08:09 PM · #11

Go for it! For that sort of money, it is worth the fun, don't you think?

I don't take my lens baby serious, but I love it! Getting anything in focus has always remained hit and miss for me, but I take great delight in the lucky flukes when it DOES happen.

It is fun and a great conversation piece, just do it!

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

02/11/2010 05:42:48 PM · #12

Anyone try this out? It's called freelensing and sounds interesting. I'm going to give it a shot this weekend.

This deal is very tempting....thinking.....thinking....

eta, Dang! Out of stock for the Olympus mount. grrr Guess I'll stick to freelensing, if indeed it works.

Message edited by author 2010-02-11 17:47:11.

colorcarnival

Olympus 45mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital

02/11/2010 05:55:02 PM · #13

Originally posted by Jac:

I saw this tip in a Flickr Thread

"Lensbaby tip of the day: if you want a cheap one, scour Ebay for a cheap 2.0. When you buy it for peanuts, send it in to Lensbaby in Oregon and they will change the mount to 4/3 for $10."

Just an idea for you.

I've decided to save up for the Composer tho. I want to get it by this summer and be ready to take some crazy Christmas Card pics for the holidays.

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 for Canon

02/11/2010 06:05:52 PM · #14

Originally posted by colorcarnival:

Originally posted by Jac:
Anyone try this out? It's called freelensing and sounds interesting. I'm going to give it a shot this weekend.

This deal is very tempting....thinking.....thinking....

eta, Dang! Out of stock for the Olympus mount. grrr Guess I'll stick to freelensing, if indeed it works.

I saw this tip in a Flickr Thread

"Lensbaby tip of the day: if you want a cheap one, scour Ebay for a cheap 2.0. When you buy it for peanuts, send it in to Lensbaby in Oregon and they will change the mount to 4/3 for $10."

Just an idea for you.

I've decided to save up for the Composer tho. I want to get it by this summer and be ready to take some crazy Christmas Card pics for the holidays.

Cool, thanks for that Michelle. If I decide to buy this 70 dollar one that's what I'll do. Now I'm thinking the Composer would be a better buy though. ahhh decisions decisions.

Message edited by author 2010-02-11 18:06:09.

RKT

Canon EOS-60D

02/11/2010 06:09:17 PM · #15

Love my LB...All LB2 shots.

02/11/2010 07:49:57 PM · #16

Originally posted by RKT:

Love my LB...All LB2 shots.

I am totally not a car person, but these shots rock! I'm amazed, just gorgeous!!

02/11/2010 07:59:36 PM · #17

Originally posted by RKT:

Love my LB...All LB2 shots.

Superb.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

02/11/2010 08:00:41 PM · #18

I got my LB 2.0 a couple years ago (from

Jutilda!) and I love it! It's a "when I am in the mood" kinda thing. It would be the best $70 equipment purchase you probably ever made. ;-)

Some of my LB stuff - and some more... - more recent... - and a few more...

And some of my personal fav's:

They can be great for portraits if you get the focus right, which is a little tricky. Go for it!

02/11/2010 10:01:27 PM · #19

your guys photos just sealed the deal for me... I bought the lensbaby and the extra aperture kit. I like that it has some blank discs for you to make your own bokeh shapes, in addition to the hearts and stars that come with it. Also grabbed a Waterfall guide book that I've been eying since I qualified for the free shipping :) Not bad, all that for under $95!

Sony Sonnar T* 35mm f/2.8 ZA

02/12/2010 12:41:52 AM · #20

Looks good Art. Lots of great shots. Seeing as you're an experienced photoshopper, would you be able to create approximately the same effects with the lens blur tool?

eta, grammar.

Message edited by author 2010-02-12 01:07:40.

salmiakki

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

02/12/2010 12:49:49 AM · #21

Originally posted by Jac:

..... would you be able to create the approximately the same effects with the lens blur tool?

It's funny you should say that. I had never even thought to try, except last night (already Friday here) I was playing with an image for the pp side challenge and used the lens blur tool and it worked pretty well to give a lensbaby effect. Not as much fun though!

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

02/12/2010 01:10:55 AM · #22

Originally posted by salmiakki:

Originally posted by Jac:
..... would you be able to create the approximately the same effects with the lens blur tool?

It's funny you should say that. I had never even thought to try, except last night (already Friday here) I was playing with an image for the pp side challenge and used the lens blur tool and it worked pretty well to give a lensbaby effect. Not as much fun though!

That makes a whole lot of sense. :D 90% of the fun is being there to capture the moment and to fiddle about with lenses.

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/12/2010 01:12:57 AM · #23

I've been thinking of getting a lensbaby purely based on how awesome

Zigomar's Lensbaby photos are. Lensbabies are definitely a niche of their own, but you can get some awesome results for sure.

Message edited by author 2010-02-12 01:13:57.

Retroesque

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

02/12/2010 01:52:10 AM · #24

Oh I just LOVE mine!

I nearly didn't bother, thinking it would be a quirky thing, flash in the pan lens that I'd rarely use - NOT! I'm a devotee for sure

Check out the gallery we have here!

There is lots of us here at DPC that love ours - in fact the current Blur side challenge is showing up some lovely new images.

Get it - you KNOW you want to.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II