Hi all... well, with the new year fast approaching, I'm going to be joining in on a 365 project again from the 1st. One of the things I'd love to try out this year, is some lensbaby photography.
Can someone please make a recommendation on which lens to buy? I have the Nikon D7100. Have been considering:
1) Lensbaby 50 mm Spark Selective Focus Lens for Nikon
Hi Gail... Nice to see you! I just got a lensbaby for Christmas and am slowly working my way thru the learning curve... It's certainly an experience ;)
No real advice for you... I got the composer pro w edge 80 optic... In retrospect, the 80 probably wasn't the best option for me as I tend to like to shoot wide, but it's what I've got so I'm learning it best as I can...
I'll be interested to see how others respond to your thread... Might give me some insight on using the lens :)
@northy Thanks for replying... yeah, I've been eyeing the 50 or 35 optics. Good to hear what you think of the 80, thanks. Great - let's hope we get some more replies on this thread then. :)
Interesting...If you're into the novelty looks that Lensbaby lenses give you, that's cool. Personally, I'm not a fan. I'd rather get a (if you will) a normal lens....? ie. If you're looking for a 50mm lens, I would go with a simple 50 prime. They're pretty cheap (I got mine for ~150$), and they go down to a low f stop for crisp, shallow DOF portraits, if that's what you're going for.
I find these sorts of novelty lenses make photos look kinda cheesy (no offence)...except for fisheye. I loves me a good fisheye effect. :P But I've never used them. Either way, good on ya' for trying something new! :3
@remirixjones Thanks for your reply, Remi-Rix. I have a fair few 'normal/prime' lenses already, and wanted to try my hand at some arty stuff. The fisheye is fun too.:)
I just got a Lensbaby for Christmas as well! I got the Spark 50mm and it's definitely a learning curve, but I like how "hands on" it is. Earlier in the year I rented a composer pro with the 50mm optic and I really liked how shallow you could get the dof and some of the really crazy effects if you positioned it in the extreme corners. The Spark (so far) doesn't seem to produce quite the same extreme looks that I liked with the composer pro, but it's also light and easy to use and much cheaper, which is great for a beginner like me! You might consider renting them both for a weekend too sometime, if you want to try them out and see for yourself :) They're definitely quite different to use.
I looked at the Lensbaby fisheye lens and can see that it would be fun for about an hour. Then I considered how often I would use this lens and decide it would spend most of it's time in the case. Eventhough, the price for these lenses is not as much as other lenses, I could not justify the money for the few times I would want to use it. This is nothing against Lensbaby, but it is about how use my resources to best benefit the photography that I prefer to shoot.
I have the composer "sweet spot" pro. It is easy to use, has a lot of settings to use and I love the blur and bokeh! I don't use it all the time but with certain light it is awesome!
Hello Gail.
The composer pro is the way to go. It gives you much more control than the spark. Personally I would go for the basic double glass optic with the interchangeable aperture discs. It restricts you and you can add to it if you want to buy optics with built in apertures at a later date. It is 50mm focal length. There is a new 50mm optic with built in apertures as well as a 35 and 80mm. I cannot comment on these.
Trust me this is excellent and I used mine pretty much exclusively for the first 6 months of having it. Since I have a range of other optics which I also use. It is a fun system and a great tool to learn with. I now shoot exclusively in manual because of that lens. I use it and my 50mm prime mostly now.
I love the look of it but I have different values than others. Be prepared to create blurry , soft striking images. Shoot in F4 to start with.
@gailmmeek Oh have fun, a Lensbaby is fabulous I love mine. I have a range of Lensbaby for my Canon, I started with the 50mm double glass optic with the intractable discs,and now have a range of optics. I have the Spark but have to say not my favourite.
@gailmmeek Okay that's fair. :) In that case, I would go with the Spark. I think it would have more versatility, but I've never actually used either. Have fun! :3
And kudos for getting my name right! (Everyone just says Remi...) I think you're the first!! :D
Hi Gail, good to see you back................Lensbaby is still on my list of things I 'need'.............I'll be watching with interest to see how you get on :)
Hi Gail
I'd agree with @spanner. I've got the composer pro with the 50mm double glass optic and the interchangeable aperture discs and I've used it loads this year - it's a lot of fun and I think its probably easier to use than some of the others. I've just ordered the optic kit for it. If you want to meet up and you could try it out it would be lovely to see you.
Rachel
I have the Spark - it is a learning curve, as I believe they all are, and you will need at least 3 hands at first but they're great fun. I got the Spark as an "entry level" to see how it went and am already planning on 'moving up' to the next level.
Ooh yes, let's do a lensbaby challenge as I bought my lensbaby composer pro sweet 35 (I think) last year and haven't used it very much. I chose that option because I didn't want to have to change disks to change aperture. On mine you just turn the ring on the lens as you do with any lens. It's simple to use but as everyone says, it's a steep learning curve and most pics will get deleted to start with! It's fun though and you can get some great effects and results with it.
@nanderson@northy@jocasta April @aprilmilani ran a lensbaby challenge for a month in March 2014 and those who joined in tagged their photos as lb14 and then some (all?) of us carried on using the tag throughout the year for lensbaby shots. I'm not around as much at the moment but another lensbaby challenge sounds fun.
@graemestevens -- I ALWAYS wish I had a third hand when using my lens baby, too! I have small hands, a big full-frame camera, and find it a challenge to balance my camera in my hand while managing to push the accordion part to get the right focus. But @vankrey challenged me to ONLY use my lens baby at the amusement park one day and it helped get more familiar with it. Check out his statement here: http://365project.org/vankrey/365/2014-07-15 and if you go backwards in his album you will see a Lensbaby series.
Why don't we start the LB challenge #1 we'll call or tag it lb1-bokeh since it's stiil considering Holidays.we'll start this Wednesday and end after 4 days - we'll pick 4 finalist and the winner will choose the next challenge:) why four??? Cus "BABY" is a four letter words:)anyone interested can raise their hands!@nanderson would u like to do the honor to host the first lb challenge?:)
Hi Gail, I've got a Lensbaby Spark two weeks ago and I've tried it on a Nikon D70s. I stil find it very hard to get the focus right. I do think that the diopter adjustment on the viewfinder is OK but still. I do see that the green focus light in the viewfinder blinks but it is very, very hard to get that stable.
The only way that I can control focus now is by not touching the lens and move back and forward to get things close by (like flowers) in focus in the middle. For the rest it is taking a lot of pictures and selecting the best ones. I do notice that the focus area is very small and that I need to adjust what I want to photograph accordingly, i.e. moving away to make it appear smaller.
Thank you all so much for your opinions, experiences and advice. I've made my decision and ordered Lensbaby Composer Pro Nikon incl. Sweet 50 Optik. Can't wait for it to arrive now and join in on the challenges. I'm looking forward to being more involved on the site again as well. Yay. Roll on 2015!
@gailmmeek Hi. I think you've made a brilliant choice and now following you, too. Excited to see your Lensbaby photos. I really like the idea of a lensbaby challenge/group for 2015. Please count me in if you get one started.
@joemuli LB challenge - brilliant idea. Please count me in if you start a lensbaby challenge but how about 8 days cos there are 8 letters in lensbaby - would give a bit more time.
i have a Lensbaby Pro.I am still practicing getting sharp focus where I want it,but I love it and embrace all the " happy accidents".looking foward to the lb challenges!
I would like to be included on the LB challenge. I have been thinking that I haven't spent a great deal of time with mine recently.
As many others have said, there's a learning curve but, once that's behind you, it's great fun. I have the basic LB and the interchangeable optics with discs. I sprung for the macros and the wide-angle/tele kit as well. I've not felt like I need to spend more money (yet).
Thanks for @gailmmeek asking about lensbaby, Gail! I have "Christmas money" to spend and my first thought was a lensbaby. This thread will help me make a wiser choice
@jocasta Thanks for the follow and comment, Jocasta... I can't wait for mine to arrive now. It's apparently coming over from Germany and due any day! YAY :)
@mzzhope Ooh, I'm going to go in search of your lensbaby pics now, Hope... what fun! Thanks for commenting, and yes, I can't wait to see all my happy accidental shots too. hehe
@joemuli Hi Joe... per the recent comments above, did you ever do that challenge? I'm loving the lensbaby since it's arrived and would eagerly join a challenge! @northy@nkawoods
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No real advice for you... I got the composer pro w edge 80 optic... In retrospect, the 80 probably wasn't the best option for me as I tend to like to shoot wide, but it's what I've got so I'm learning it best as I can...
I'll be interested to see how others respond to your thread... Might give me some insight on using the lens :)
I find these sorts of novelty lenses make photos look kinda cheesy (no offence)...except for fisheye. I loves me a good fisheye effect. :P But I've never used them. Either way, good on ya' for trying something new! :3
The composer pro is the way to go. It gives you much more control than the spark. Personally I would go for the basic double glass optic with the interchangeable aperture discs. It restricts you and you can add to it if you want to buy optics with built in apertures at a later date. It is 50mm focal length. There is a new 50mm optic with built in apertures as well as a 35 and 80mm. I cannot comment on these.
Trust me this is excellent and I used mine pretty much exclusively for the first 6 months of having it. Since I have a range of other optics which I also use. It is a fun system and a great tool to learn with. I now shoot exclusively in manual because of that lens. I use it and my 50mm prime mostly now.
I love the look of it but I have different values than others. Be prepared to create blurry , soft striking images. Shoot in F4 to start with.
And kudos for getting my name right! (Everyone just says Remi...) I think you're the first!! :D
I'd agree with @spanner. I've got the composer pro with the 50mm double glass optic and the interchangeable aperture discs and I've used it loads this year - it's a lot of fun and I think its probably easier to use than some of the others. I've just ordered the optic kit for it. If you want to meet up and you could try it out it would be lovely to see you.
Rachel
do we need a regular lens baby challenge or something?
oh, and hey Graeme - i'd like to see a picture of you with 3 hands ;p
@nanderson what's LB15?
The only way that I can control focus now is by not touching the lens and move back and forward to get things close by (like flowers) in focus in the middle. For the rest it is taking a lot of pictures and selecting the best ones. I do notice that the focus area is very small and that I need to adjust what I want to photograph accordingly, i.e. moving away to make it appear smaller.
@hjv @joemuli @graemestevens @bizziebeeme @jyokota @nanderson @rachelwithey @shepherdmanswife @northy @spanner @pixiemac @aponi @remirixjones @bizziebeeme
As many others have said, there's a learning curve but, once that's behind you, it's great fun. I have the basic LB and the interchangeable optics with discs. I sprung for the macros and the wide-angle/tele kit as well. I've not felt like I need to spend more money (yet).