My loveaffair with the lensbaby (albeit a virtual one!) started when I first looked for new lenses for my first DSLR 4 years ago. Back then I think they were on the 2.0 or something, and it looked complicated. Very complicated. I decided that, considering I was new to even the simplest of interchangable lens based fun and games, it was a wee tad too complicated for little old me.
Skip to July ‘09 – I got cocky and over confident and saved the £$£$£$ for the Sigma 10-20mm I was simultaneously lusting after. (I’m fickle and string along many, many lens-loves.) The Lensbaby was once again left on the shelf.
But now, after discovering the super-wide angle’s talents were wasted on me, and I’m actually much more at home with my trusty cheap-as-chips 50mm f/1.8, is it time to take the plunge and give Lensbaby a chance to win my heart?
Peter Hill
Complicated? The Lensbaby Muse is about as uncomplicated as you can get. Get it. But don’t get rid of the 10-20. Grow into it. I only sold mine coz I went full-frame and it ain’t a full-frame lens.
Debbie Black:
Thanks Peter.
Would you say Muse as opposed to Composer then?
My “buy” clicky finger has been hovering all day, but want to get a few recommendations first. I SHALL own a lensbaby within days!!
Peter Hill
I bought the Muse because I like the instantaneousness of it, and the fact that no two photos taken with it will ever be the same. It’s pretty freaky holding the front of the lens whilst you look thru the viewfinder and swivel it and bend it getting all different focus points and blur until whammo you like what you see and click it’s captured then gone.
Others prefer the Composer so they can be exact and precise about the focus point and the blur, and I can understand the advantage for set-ups and still-lifes, but you would also need to use a tripod or else set the Composer then swivel yourself until the focus comes in (but if you do that ALL the time with a Composer you may as well have a Muse instead). Adriana has a Composer – check out her work, and I think Mel Brackstone aka Halftone does too. Hope this helps!
Debbie Black:
I think I need both! lol
Adriana was my first port of call this morning, and said pretty much the same as you. :D
Muse is also cheaper, and so leaves excess ££££ for extras…. hmmmmmmmm
Peter Hill
Extras, yes, hmmmm indeed! I would recommend the Macro set as a first option, then perhaps the Wide Angle attachment. The pinhole thingy I just can’t come to grips with.
Lorraine Creagh
This little video explains the differences between the lensbaby muse and the composer. You may find it helpful!
_ I use the composer and find that the locking mechanism is quite handy_
Debbie Black:
Will have a watch as soon as mini-me goes for a sleep. Thanks Lorraine.
photogenic
give your heart a chance. just keep it always in pristine condition so that when love for it dies you put up on ebay.