Advice on lens balls: I’m looking to purchase several size lens balls. I’ve seen some really cool things done with them and would like to advance my photography. Is there anything...

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

I’m looking to purchase several size lens balls. I’ve seen some really cool things done with them and would like to advance my photography. Is there anything special I should look for and ones I need to stay away from??

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Make sure they are glass and not polycarbonate?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

out4life2016 wrote:

I’m looking to purchase several size lens balls. I’ve seen some really cool things done with them and would like to advance my photography. Is there anything special I should look for and ones I need to stay away from??

I use a 100MM Crystal Glass. Ebay is a great source.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100MM-Photography-Crystal-Ball-Sphere-Decoration-Lens-Photo-Prop-Lensball-Clear/264399885554?hash=item3d8f7614f2:g:OOAAAOSwFu1cElX8

Amazon has them also.

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Make sure they are glass and not polycarbonate?

Thank you for the advice I will be sure to check that they are glass

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

PixelStan77 wrote:

I use a 100MM Crystal Glass. Ebay is a great source.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100MM-Photography-Crystal-Ball-Sphere-Decoration-Lens-Photo-Prop-Lensball-Clear/264399885554?hash=item3d8f7614f2:g:OOAAAOSwFu1cElX8

Amazon has them also.

Thank you will check the link out.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

A quick caution. I received a glass ball as a gift last year and have used it some to take images of flowers. I find the lighting a real challenge to avoid glare on one side of my image. The posts on Pinterest, etc always look tons better than what I have been able to achieve so far.

I did see a good idea. Cut the top of a 20 oz pop bottle. Drill a small hole through the cap and screw the cap into a board. Then screw the bottle top into the lid and you have a nice holder for the ball. I used a narrow piece of wood that will fit into the Arca Swiss head on my tripod. Makes it easier than trying to hold the ball in one hand and the camera in your other hand. ( I did go back and re-trim the bottle portion a couple of times to reduce the amount of it that shows up in the bottom of the ball on an image. )

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

JFCoupe wrote:

A quick caution. I received a glass ball as a gif... (show quote)

Thank you for the advice and tip for making a holder. I’ve seen some really great photos done with them and that’s what has sparked my interest. I will be sure to keep an eye out for the glare. Thank you again

PeggySue58 Loc: Sedro Woolley, WA

I ordered the Lensball brand from Amazon, I got the 60mm & 80mm. Lensball also sells a small suction cup holder that the base has a tripod mount in it. You have to be extremely careful in sunlight, if the sun hits it, it will burn you in an instant, or anything that is in its way. The glare that was mentioned above is a real issue for me. If I am indoors or in a covered area outdoors, it works great, but out in the open it is very frustrating. You see some really amazing shots done with these, but I feel lucky getting maybe 1 or 2 nice shots without glare out of about 30 or 40! They are fun and frustrating at the same time! Happy lensball hunting.

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

PeggySue58 wrote:

I ordered the Lensball brand from Amazon, I got th... (show quote)

Thank you for your reply. It seems that most people are having problems with glare. Makes me wonder if they are worth the investment

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

Okay, I'll bite. Looked up the Lensball, saw their website, lots of pretty pictures of the ball, but I don't see anything showing how you USE it.

What do you DO with it? Does it attach to the front of a lens, and how?

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

nadelewitz wrote:

Okay, I'll bite. Looked up the Lensball, saw their website, lots of pretty pictures of the ball, but I don't see anything showing how you USE it.

What do you DO with it? Does it attach to the front of a lens, and how?

The ball is placed in stand or on ground or close to a object. The object is then photographed through the ball. From what I know

PeggySue58 Loc: Sedro Woolley, WA

nadelewitz wrote:

Okay, I'll bite. Looked up the Lensball, saw their website, lots of pretty pictures of the ball, but I don't see anything showing how you USE it.

What do you DO with it? Does it attach to the front of a lens, and how?

You either hold it in front of your subject, or you can set it on something or use the stand and attach it to a tripod, they are heavy so if you hold it your arm does get tired after awhile. I get frustrated and will put them away in my camera bag for awhile, then I will pull them out and try again, once you get a nice creative shot with it, it is encouraging to use it again. They really aren’t that expensive and do add some different creativity...if you don’t throw it first (I have been tempted several times)! The 60mm is nice to use with a cellphone or a small compact camera, and it is not quite as heavy as the 80mm.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

If you google "using a lensball" there are so many sites that show you how!
https://www.google.com/search?q=using+a+lensball&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS861US861&oq=using+a+lensball&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.4478j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

At one point I had a small Canon A1200. Then bought this book that gave instructions how to make equipment. One project was for a homemade fisheye lens. Made one out of plastic plumbing parts and a large clear marble. The short pipe was just large enough to fit over the lens of the camera. This gave the effect of a lens ball without needing a holder for the ball. One picture is attached.

(Download)

ButchS Loc: Spokane, WA

out4life2016 wrote:

The ball is placed in stand or on ground or close to a object. The object is then photographed through the ball. From what I know

Gee. We used to use a fisheye lens.