Perhaps a rule bender, or a light bender – both can be done through the use of a specialty lens called a Lensbaby. . Certainly the Lensbaby is not a new type of lens, they are now on their 4th generation or so. The operating principle of this lens is that you can bend the lens barrel to create very selective focus points. The other parts of the image, depending on the aperture disk you are using, go into a characteristic blur.
I have multiple versions of the Lensbaby, each one seemed to get better and address some key opportunities for improvement. . Even though I have had these gadgets for awhile, I often found it hard to make images I really liked with them It takes awhile to develop an eye for what situations might work. . There were also ergonomic issues in operation that might prevent me from taking it out of my camera bag as often as I would have liked.
If you have ever used some of the versions prior to the 3G, you know that maintaining focus on your ‘sweet spot’ can be rather difficult because you have to hand hold the bend position. . The 3G addressed this limitation by creating a lock down feature, with micro-adjustment screws, that made for a strange-looking contraption on the front of your camera. . Despite this added control (which the product is now appropriately named “Control Freak”), manipulating can be rather cumbersome. However, I was able to photograph a tame Sandhill Crane with it in this previous post.
As much as I did not want to buy yet another version of the Lensbaby, the Composer just seemed to be the right fit for me. Gone is the quirkyness of operation of the 3G, while the ability to lock the lens in place couldn’t be any easier now. Instead of bellows type operation, the lens barrel is now like a ballhead, with a focusing ring that allows a greater range. It is quite innovative, more refined in its design and ergonomics, yet does not give up any of the bending capabilities of the prior versions. With a lock down ring that also acts like a tension control, you can move the lens around and it will just stay in place.
I just finished my first day in the field with my new Composer and am very pleased with how this lens operates. . Creativity is all about freedom of expression – and if your tools make part of that difficult – you are less likely to use them. . I think this latest (and hopefully final) version of the Lensbaby will be out of my camera bag much more often now.
Great to get this endorsement, I’ve had my sights set on the Composer version for a month or so, I’ve just been waiting for it to be available in a Canon mount. Of course, I’m going to get the diopters to do closeups as well…there are lots of things I’d like to do with it.
Mark, thanks for the informative post. I’ve wanted a Lensbaby for some time now, and the new designs confused me. Your post really helped distinguish between the designs and I think I’ll have to jump on board and get the Composer. It looks like it fixes all previous issues with the lens and should make for one cool addition to my gear. Thanks Mark!
I agree with the thoughts above… your images make you want to run out and make an impulse purchase. I think what is so appealing is that it looks very creative and just plain ole’ FUN.
Hi Thomas – yes, the issue with too many new things can be a big problem! Like I mentioned, I really didn’t want to buy more versions of the Lensbaby. I am just hoping some of it will be recovered on Ebay. Thanks!
Boyd, I have also wondered about a tilt lens, but I can’t fit all of my lenses in my backpack now and always go back and forth whether I can justify it for such limited applications.
Nice images Mark, I’ve always wanted to try a Lensbaby.
First, I think I’ll invest in a tilt lens or a bellow as I see so many oppurtunities for great shots in the field with one. While at Cloudland Canyon the other day I kept wishing I had one to use for some awesome shots looking upwards at the canyon’s walls.
Hi Mark, thanks for sharing these thoughts and experiences. I thought the new composer looked very tempting too as I still have the ‘old’ 2.0 where you have to hand-hold the focus which is quite cumbersome although still fun. However I might wait a while as I have put my photography spending on hold for a bit. It seems you can keep on going. I would really like to upgrade my Canon 20D to the new 5DMKII as well, but that requires the acquisition of at least one or two new lenses as well! I like both of the images in this post!
Unfortunately, with my paper-thin budget, I have too many other lenses on my wish list that come in ahead of the Lensbaby. But, if you keep posting images from that new version, that one may work its way to the top of my list, who knows? John raises an interesting point.
Looking at Lensbaby pictures reminds me of being on a bender. 😉
Well Anita, if you are interested in one of the older versions, I may be selling mine! 🙂 As far as the bender, an interesting idea when you combine it with a Lensbaby!
Goodness. I thought maybe you recommending we all go on a bender. Seriously, you have made the Lensbaby look quite tempting. While I have seen many photographs taken with earlier generations that I enjoyed, I was never motivated to consider buying one. This new version does look much more interesting.
The title of this post made me think we you were discussing “Futurama” today. *LOL* I like the idea of the bendy-lens, although it’s far from where I’m at, photographically. I’m still trying to save up for a good spotting scope!