Lensbaby, worth to buy ?


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campoes

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May 3, 2008
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Hi guys,

I've been reading lots of article on Lensbaby, the pros and cons
And I'm aware that we can achieve the same effect through PP

so my question is, do you think it's worth to buy lensbaby ? :)
Since i'm quite thight in budget, so i'm thinking rather than spends the money for lensbaby, I can allocate that money for other lens, e.g. Macro 100mm :)

Advice pleaseee.....
 

Spend on other lenses
 

no, you can't achieve the "same effect through pp"

you can come close, but it won't be exactly the same unless you are very good at visualisation.

anyways, i had a lb 2.0 for a while, i had fun with it, but it wasn't the lens for me. it depends on you. some people love it, some people are ok with it, some people hate it.. it's really your choice. my suggestion is to get a cheap one (preferablyh the older versions), play with it, if you don't like it dump it, it isn't going to cost much anyways.. and you won't lose much. for the newer versions, that's probably another story.
 

no, you can't achieve the "same effect through pp"

you can come close, but it won't be exactly the same unless you are very good at visualisation.

anyways, i had a lb 2.0 for a while, i had fun with it, but it wasn't the lens for me. it depends on you. some people love it, some people are ok with it, some people hate it.. it's really your choice. my suggestion is to get a cheap one (preferablyh the older versions), play with it, if you don't like it dump it, it isn't going to cost much anyways.. and you won't lose much. for the newer versions, that's probably another story.


night86mare, thanks a lot for the comments and advice. It's really helpful
Maybe i'll save the money first, so I can invest in macro lens :)
 

not for all , but if u can achieve and understand the usage i think u will be hapey,,,used it last time, sold it away jus after a month....not for me

cheers
 

I don't think it's worth it. Lensbaby is just too soft and the tilt effect is just horrible. It doesn't look like a real tilt effect, more like motion blur. Even fake tilt shift or motion blur filter using photoshop gives you more decent result if you are using decent normal lens. You can pick up the latest digital camera world magazine, it has comparison of all 3 tilt effect of real tiltshift lens, lensbaby, and pure pp. If you're going to end up selling it again, might as well save your money for real tilt lens.

There's another cheaper solution for real tilt shift lens. Cheapest real tilt shift lens for both canon & nikon cost more than 1000. They give excellent results. Just look at http://photolog.blog.so-net.ne.jp/. The photog uses Canon TSE 24, 45, 90, and specially tilt modified film enlarger lens.

There's a way though to get real tilt lens for under 300. This is what I ordered last week. Medium format lens + tilt adapter. Go to ebay and look for pentacon tilt adapter, available in almost all dslr mounts. Then search in ebay or anywhere for pentacon six lens carl zeiss jenna 80mm 2.8. This lens should be no more than 200 depending on the condition.

Sample: http://www.flickr.com/photos/76483008@N00/2743409257

There's also the excellent pentacon 6 cz flektogon 50mm f/4. The f/4 is just enough to get that miniature tilt effect like the ones in the 1st link. The 80mm f/2.8 tilt can also be used for that purpose if you're on a really high-rise building.

Hope this helps.
 

The LB is NOT a tilt shift lens. I've owned LBs since the Original version and it has been one of my favourite lens. Worth it or not ... depends on how you love using it. I've seen many friends buying it and later either using it as paper weight or selling them away. In short ... it's a special lens that ain't for everyone. Go see sample photos and see if you can accept the kind of photos it produces. Worth it? You decide.
 

The LB is NOT a tilt shift lens.

If tt has bellows, then it's a tilt lens. I never said it's a shift lens. You can call it "selective focus" lens, which has the same meaning as tilt. I don't think anyone buy lensbaby and use it normally straight. A 50 1.8 will do the same thing with much better IQ. So it's a tilt lens by all definition.
 

I don't think it's worth it. Lensbaby is just too soft and the tilt effect is just horrible. It doesn't look like a real tilt effect, more like motion blur. Even fake tilt shift or motion blur filter using photoshop gives you more decent result if you are using decent normal lens. You can pick up the latest digital camera world magazine, it has comparison of all 3 tilt effect of real tiltshift lens, lensbaby, and pure pp. If you're going to end up selling it again, might as well save your money for real tilt lens.

well, ok, i like these lensbaby images though:

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i won't dismiss it like that. every lens can be used to great effect. just because i can't do it properly doesn't mean that the lens should be condemned.

some of my lb shots
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2351458212_6d08e91b16.jpg

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"there is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept" -- ansel adams
 

If tt has bellows, then it's a tilt lens. I never said it's a shift lens. You can call it "selective focus" lens, which has the same meaning as tilt. I don't think anyone buy lensbaby and use it normally straight. A 50 1.8 will do the same thing with much better IQ. So it's a tilt lens by all definition.

tilt =/= tilt shift

ndroo said, LB isn't a tilt shift lens, he is right in all senses.

unless you claim that a "tilt lens" is a "tilt shift lens", then be my guest. :bsmilie:

discussion #1
discussion #2

tilt shift lenses primary function is not for the LB style effects or toy train effect, it is for architectural correction.
 

Since i'm quite thight in budget, so i'm thinking rather than spends the money for lensbaby, I can allocate that money for other lens, e.g. Macro 100mm :)

Advice pleaseee.....


For me, I would rather save the money to get macro 100 :)
 

I agree. Sharpness is not everything. The photog's skill and concept always comes first. Even iphone pictures can be good in the hand of a master for example. But for myself, I know lensbaby won't suit my photography style. I was happy to experiment when my friend lend it for a day, but I won't purchase one myself. I would rather spend it on holga pinhole. If lensbaby suits the style you want to achieve then good for you, but I don't think it will suit beginners.
 

tilt shift lenses primary function is not for the LB style effects or toy train effect, it is for architectural correction.

Sir, you're half wrong and 1/4 right. Perspective correction is the primary function for a shift lens. So in a tilt & shift lens it's a half of the primary function. The other half is to tilt the dof to get more in focus coverage using lower apperture, or to do the opposite to get that miniature effect.
 

Hi guys,

I've been reading lots of article on Lensbaby, the pros and cons
And I'm aware that we can achieve the same effect through PP

so my question is, do you think it's worth to buy lensbaby ? :)
Since i'm quite thight in budget, so i'm thinking rather than spends the money for lensbaby, I can allocate that money for other lens, e.g. Macro 100mm :)

Advice pleaseee.....

I borrow LB2 from my friend, tried it for 3 days and then gave up. I hardly got nice image from this lens. The problem is actually not on the lens but myself since I don't know how to use it. And furthermore I'm not good in MF lens. :cry:

As nightmare has already mentioned, buy the cheapest one and then sell it again if you don't like it.
 

I have a LB Composer for more than 9 months already, and I last used it 6 months ago. Yes, it's fun and creative, but images get seriously tiring after a while because it is the same 'ol stuff.

Buy it if you're into creative images or have cash to spare.
 

I have a LB Composer for more than 9 months already, and I last used it 6 months ago. Yes, it's fun and creative, but images get seriously tiring after a while because it is the same 'ol stuff.

i think rather than it being the same old stuff, it is more of the fact that with normal lenses you can get much more predictable results than you do with a LB.. :bsmilie:
 

i love the LB on canon bodies. i even use one on my mamiya. the latest versions have changeable optics which allow you to (predictably) further change the image's characteristics. all of my images are wide open (3g and composer without using aperture rings) and the focus is used to highlight some element of the scene, rather than simply have 'lensbaby effect'.

i get the feeling that some people find the 3g complicated and the lb2/muse are clumsy to hold and shoot. i recommend trying the composer.





 

i love the LB on canon bodies. i even use one on my mamiya. the latest versions have changeable optics which allow you to (predictably) further change the image's characteristics. all of my images are wide open (3g and composer without using aperture rings) and the focus is used to highlight some element of the scene, rather than simply have 'lensbaby effect'.

i get the feeling that some people find the 3g complicated and the lb2/muse are clumsy to hold and shoot. i recommend trying the composer.


well, ok, i like these lensbaby images though:


i won't dismiss it like that. every lens can be used to great effect. just because i can't do it properly doesn't mean that the lens should be condemned.

some of my lb shots
"there is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept" -- ansel adams



night86mare, 0bli0,

Now you are making me back in the same dilematic situation :confused::)
Nice picture !!! :thumbsup:
 

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