Get a lens baby or just use post processing?

July 1st, 2014
What say you? Loving everyone's lens baby shots but I don't know if I really *neeeed* one. I remember when my husband used to say he loved the fact that my hobby was so inexpensive.HA.Those were the days...
July 1st, 2014
MB
So, what was your hobby when it was inexpensive?!! HAHA! I have been looking at lensbaby lately too. I also feel that I don't really "neeeed" it. I will be interested in the rest of the responses and in finding out what you do. It sure looks like fun.
July 1st, 2014
I use perfect effects , it was a free download and gives lots of control over blur, must play with it more.
adding a lens to my camera is fortunately not an option, but my son's camera on the other hand.... lol,
July 1st, 2014
I just bought a lensbaby and I'm in love with it. I don't know about which post-processing programs would best emulate lensbaby, but it's not just blur, it's distortion. Perhaps most importantly, with it on my camera, it forces me to think differently about how to capture the shot I want. Check out many in my albums from our recent Picture Japan trip in June.

Some of my favorites...


July 1st, 2014
I have yet to see something that a Lensbaby has shot that Photoshop couldn't produce. Especially if you have to crop the original frame first. And do much more besides.
July 1st, 2014
I think you can have a bit of fun processing but I don't think you can really achieve what the lensbaby does... I don't have one but it's on my very long list :)
July 1st, 2014
I really want one. If there was a camera store closer to me I'd probably have one. That being said I have been asked if I use one. It's a bit of post processing and a bit of playing with camera settings. I agree with @bella_ss though. I don't think it's quite 'lensbaby'. Go for it if you can.
July 1st, 2014
I'm lovin' seeing the world through my lensbaby. I got mine off of Amazon 'used' and saved about $50 and took my chances (but got lucky. no scratches or anything).
July 1st, 2014
It all depends on what you value. If you want to take tac sharp images then stay clear. If you like randomness, frustration, learning curve, challenge and fun then go for it.
I would not change mine for anything. Using one is an art form and requires control, thought and practice. I see much more with my LB, than I ever did with my other lenses.
As for Photoshop and the processing vs lensbaby. I have access to both. I would happily part with photoshop, but not with the lensbaby.
Yes you can process and create blur on the computer but it is not as much fun (unless that's your thing).
Get one, you know you want to......
@frankhymus Here is a side challenge should you be interested, create a lensbaby shot using photoshop. I would really like to see it done. I can use photoshop but not to that extent and would love to know how.
July 1st, 2014
@spanner OK, tomorrow or Wednesday. I'll go out and find something suitable. And for me, the editor is a lot of fun, so flexible, whereas one "special effects" shot and that's it, you are sort of stuck with that effect on the digital negative.
July 1st, 2014
@spanner @frankhymus
This wasn't a challenge and I may not have the time in the next little while although I LOVE that challenge, but here is the shot where I was asked if I was using a lensbaby. I am PRO lensbaby for the record. I have wanted one for about a year. I think it's time.
July 1st, 2014
I agree with (@vankrey) here.

I really like my Lensbaby, not just for the pictures it produces but for the different experience photography becomes when using it. I enjoy using Photoshop and I can produced a nice radial blur with it if I want to but the Lensbaby photos seem to have a different quality about them, to me. Or maybe it is just that I feel different about them because of the experience I've had shooting them?
July 1st, 2014
@spanner @edie Here's one from last year when I was actually challenged to shoot in the style of a person I follow. In the style of Joey DiMuli @joemuli beach and everything. Pure Photoshop. Actually just Camera Raw only with radial filters mostly, and quite a mild "sweet spot" effect, I'm not a big one for big blur or big distortion.


July 1st, 2014
@frankhymus Great shot. I use picmonkey not photoshop, (although I plan to get photoshop shortly after I get my lensbaby...) I find the camera settings as helpful as the processing to get the look I want, but I still can't get that full on lensbaby thing. I also think what @gardencat makes sense. I look forward to playing with a new lens. It was actually Joey who asked if I was using one.
July 1st, 2014
@mzzhope I can't really say I "needed" the 500mm I just bought but I wanted it...and it's fun
July 1st, 2014
For me the biggest pro when I bought my lensbaby was how inspired I got from it, I brought it with me everywhere, it is so much fun. For months it was almost the only lens I used. I think maybe one thing about the lensbaby is that it isn't perfect, you won't get tac sharp images so it opens up for playfulness and experimentation, there's something liberating in not knowing exactly what will come out of the camera.
July 1st, 2014
@mzzhope It's on my list as well - I absolutely must have one! I don't think it's a "one off" trick lens, and personally I would prefer the challenge of the Lensbaby. I'm all for processing as well, and "hip hip hooray and high fives" for Photoshop, but personally I'm more for what I can get out of my humble camera rather than a programme. Still, photographers preference I guess!
July 1st, 2014


I only got my lensbaby a couple of weeks ago and have not had much time to play with it yet but already I just love it. Not only do I love the blur but the bokeh it produces is amazing. I love the way that when taking a photo I have no idea how it will turn out until I see it the computer. My challenge is to develop "some" control but at the moment it is just good old fashioned fun. Get the lens we all have plenty of images to use PS on but the lensbaby is just plain straight out fun and relatively inexpensive for a lens.
July 1st, 2014
I would echo the people who say that having the lens does make you think differently and see things differently. I love mine, definitely my favourite lens and the one I use the most. Maybe you should try processing and see if it gets you the effect you want (assuming you have the processing package already). If it does great, if not I would highly recommend buying a lens, as lenses go they aren't that expensive and they are a lot of fun.
July 1st, 2014
Just dug up a couple of old Lensbaby beach shots for comparison purposes.





July 1st, 2014
I have a lensbaby, used it a handful of times and don't like it...it has sat there for over a year. Different strokes for different blokes ;)
One day I should sell it lol
July 1st, 2014
I think I bought my Lensbaby too early after starting my "inexpensive" hobby. *gentle cough* INEXPENSIVE??? Like @mummarazzii, it sat around for a year or more. However, after shooting with my 6D for a year, I was ready to dedicate some serious time to learning the LB. (See my May 2014 365 calendar.)

Others have said it, and it's true, there's a learning curve. My month of May photos surely demonstrates that. However, I now know I can pick up my LB - by choice, night or day - and produce photos I *like* rather than not having a clue about how to utilize it to *it's* best advantage to get the photo *I'm* seeking.

Is it a neeeeed to have? Nope. None of the camera equipment I currently own was a must have. Am I glad I have it? Yep! I bet you would be glad, too.
July 1st, 2014
@voiceprintz I know people that have said the same, I shoot with a 6D and still don't like it...just not my thing. I know how to use it, just don't like it...I will sell it one day when I get the time :)
July 1st, 2014
I love this lens for so many personal and cool reasons. If you like ghostly,moody, blurry, abstract, fun and artsy effects then GO for it—i suggest get one- try and play with it-if not happy,you can always send it back.:) check http://365project.org/tags/jmblur @mzzhope
July 1st, 2014
@mummarazzii No judgment. I was agreeing with you about allowing it to sit on the shelf. I also agree that it's not for everyone. I'm sure, when you choose to sell it, someone will be happy to have it! :) (Isn't the 6D awesome??? LOVE IT!)
July 1st, 2014
@frankhymus Beautiful image-:)
July 2nd, 2014
@frankhymus For me that is too subtle and does not have the distortion/character of the lensbaby, thanks for posting it. I look forward to seeing what you produce in the next couple of days. Please do not forget to copy me in (and I would love an explanation of how it was achieved).
July 2nd, 2014
@voiceprintz I took no judgement :) I was just saying no matter what it is just not for some people and this post has enticed me to get it out to sell :)
July 2nd, 2014
Get the Edge80. I have most of them. Love this one. When you don't want the blur you have an awesome 80mm lens. And when you want blur you can have it. Just my thought here=D
July 2nd, 2014
Just read through the tread here and maybe some one will sell you there Lb. Just a thought.
July 2nd, 2014
If you want to have the true lensbaby effect, get the lensbaby. Fiddling in Photoshop produces mediocre results at best, and it is just time consuming. @vankrey 's night picture and @lwain 's gull with distorted bokeh are pretty much impossible to reproduce in Photoshop, for example.
July 2nd, 2014

I love my lensbaby - and agree with spanner, rachel, april, joey and everyone else who listed what they like about it. I'm not sure if anyone has said much about the fact that there are numerous interchangeable optics for the lensbaby so choosing which lensbaby optic to buy is difficult. Over time I've bought a few different ones.
I also edit to create the effect but it isn't as much FUN.
I've tagged my lensbaby photos lensbabyjb
July 2nd, 2014


iphone pic - no lensbaby this shot - post computer processing in PSE10..easy...:)
@mzzhope
July 4th, 2014
I'm a huge Lensbaby fan, I must admit. I got my first (3G) a few years ago, but never really got into it. Then I got a Composer, and that changed the game for me, totally. Taking the time of get familiar with these lenses is important. And, yes, they force you do do things differently.

If you are in doubt whether you want one, look through what 365 members have created with these lenses: http://365project.org/tags/lensbaby

Lensbaby users who haven't tagged their photos yet, should do so... :-)
July 6th, 2014
Thanks friends! I just ordered one! I may not need it...but I want it! :)
July 17th, 2014
@frankhymus @spanner emmm - I tried a lensbaby 3yrs ago because I did a tilt shift here ( http://365project.org/misschuff/365/2011-02-17) with this tutorial ... http://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/tilt-shift-photoshop--photo-3327. Want to open discussion on how to process to emulate LB? sidecarphotography@gmail.com
July 17th, 2014
@sidecar The blur filters in Photoshop work OK. Filter | Blur Gallery | (Iris or Tilt/Shift) give you lots of options. If you want a general field blur, Filter | Blur | Gaussian Blur out to 10 or so pixels on a duplicated layer and then lower Opacity works nicely, especially to give a generally soft effect if you pull it down to 20-30 percent. Not as much reduction will give you various degrees of sweet spot.

In Lightroom 5 or Camera Raw, the Radial Filter control with "outside" marked and combinations of pulling the sliders to the left for sharpness, clarity, even saturation, and noise reduction and moire reduction to the right work nicely too.
July 17th, 2014
@frankhymus I'll have to find an image - maybe shoot something tomorrow and try your process. Cheers! Actually just processing my portrait today in CS6 and YES tilt shift is there! woo hoo ... I was using CS3 or something last time I did the tilt shift.
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