rbnm Loc: New Mexico

Anyone have any experience with the Lensbaby Velvet or other Lensbaby lenses? I’m considering the Velvet 58 for the macro effects.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

I recently purchased the Velvet 85. There is a learning curve to using it, but I like it. I have an 85mm Canon 1.2 L, but the Lensbaby is a whole different animal. First, at smaller apertures it does a fair to good job of giving you a focused image. It's at wider apertures where the lens shines. It focuses much closer (9.5") than the Canon and you can pretty well fill a frame with it (it is a full frame lens). At f/1.8 and even f/2, the DOF is very slight and I'm not too fond of the results I have gotten, but at f/2.8 up to f/5, the results have been fantastic. The depth of field and the bokeh are nothing like my other lenses, and give a beautiful silky, dreamy look to the photograph. I love it for flowers and it's good for landscapes. I haven't done any portraiture it yet. If you want sharp macros, I think you might be disappointed with it. But if you want more artistic looking results, it's a great lens.

rbnm Loc: New Mexico

Thanks lowkick. I have a standard 100mm macro lens so I am interested in the ‘artistic looking result’ of the Lensbaby. I don’t have a FF camera so I assume the image will be cropped on the APS-C. I’m looking at the Velvet 56.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

Double check first. I'm not sure the Valvet series is compatable with crop seasors.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I've tried and use just about every soft-focus lens I could get my hands on, but I have not had the occasion to use any of them for macro photography. I have employed them mostly in portrait a fashion work and the occasional jewelry shot. For this purpose, the Lensbaby is one of the better currently available SF modes for the "35mm" Digital format.

It tasks a bit of practice, trial and error to get the feel of these lenses and for some photographers, the results are considered an acquired taste.

The way they work is the optical design includes some aberrations, most likely spherical, that live on the periphery or edges of the lens. Wide-open, the film or sensor gets to see this aberration and the image is softened. As you stop down the results get sharper and these aberrations become hidden from the sensor. At various settings and distance you can get some bizarre bokeh, some kinda "crazy" effects and.' or just a delicate ethereal image. Specular highlights tend to spread and glow.

Canon made a 135mm soft-focus lens, and Minolta made a 100mm model. My all-time favourite is the Rodensrtoc Imagon which was made for a large and medium format film camera. There is a 120mm model that would be great for digital if an adapter can be secured or made.

The thing that differentiates a true soft focus lens from an ordinary lens with a soft-focus filter is that the image is NOT degraded. Many of soft focus filter make for lost quality if large prints are made or if you work is exhibited on larger screens. A good SF lens will superimpose a soft image over a sharp one, so to speak, and blend the highlights into the shadows. This will maintain image integrity at greater degrees of energy and still had a soft effect. The general work better with slightly more contrasty lighting ratios.

There is also a Lensbaby model with a tilting feature for more pronounced out-of-focus
areas.

In macro work, combining extremely shallow DOP and the soft effect- well, it soud interesting but it might take some getting used to and mastering the lens's unique characteristics.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

Taken with Lensbaby Velvet 85 on my Canon 5D Mark IV

(Download)

rbnm Loc: New Mexico

Really good info thanks for taking the time to share.

rbnm Loc: New Mexico

Really nice dreamy effect. Thanks

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Highly specialized things like IR and Lensbaby are used then forgotten. Yes, some can't live without, but most do and it is another in-the-closet item or on the UHH for sale list.

The soft-focus effect is pleasant... but that jar of vaseline and Surran wrap achieve that soft effect for much less. I do appreciate the UHH evaluation criteria "iffin it ain't costly it ain't good" OK, but for a laugh do check out:
https://blog.freepeople.com/2014/08/3-softfocus-lens-effects

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

FWIW, there is actually a section here on UHH dedicated to Lensbaby:

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-125-1.html

berchman Loc: South Central PA

Very nice.

debk

Yes, the Velvet series is compatible with a crop sensor. The Velvet 85 would also be good for macro. And the Velvet 28 has a special macro feature that may be worth checking out. A tip from Kathleen Clemons is to stop down the lens to focus- this makes it easier. I find it's best to use a tripod, focus and then bracket the apertures. That way you can pick which photo you like best. The lens is totally manual and does not record the aperture used, so you may want to note the aperture as you take the shot. Also Lensbaby has deals now and again, so you could sign up for their emails and then be notified of discounts.

CaptainPhoto

I shoot with an Omympus M1-MKIII mirrorless camera and have the Velvet 28, 58 and 85 along with the Edge 35 and Sweet 35 Lensbaby lenses. They really work well for macro photography. You best bet is to check out the Lensbaby web site -
Here is a youtube video on the Lensbaby Velvet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Kosa8ZmCW8

Lensbaby makes lenses for different camera mounts- FF, Cropped, mirrorless. Go for it.
Check the specs on the Velvet for they camera you have. The Velvet 58 is a good starting point. I believe the 85 works well with FF cameras.

Have fun.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

This pretty much nails it. I also have the Velvet 85 and I agree with everything here. There’s definitely a learning curve. My sweet spot is f/2.8-4 although sometimes l like the soft focus of f/1.8. I shoot it on a Nikon Z7 and mirrorless makes the manual focus much easier. I love the 85mm on full frame. I believe all the Velvets focus to 1:2 and I love it as a close up lens but not sure about macro. I have friends that use them with extension tubes and get great results but if I’m really shooting macro I’m probably focus stacking with my Tamron 90mm macro.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

The Velvet 56 should be great on APS-C.