Lensbaby Lenses
Lensbaby lenses allow you to discover a new way of seeing, and recording what’s all around you. 
(Composer and Muse Lenses)
They attach to all well-known SLR cameras, and are light and easy to carry around. These SLR lenses allow you to achieve a variety of creative effects in camera, and you can change the effects by swapping one optic out and dropping another one in.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to play with lensbabies for a few years now, I bought my first one in 2005. Being able to tilt and shift the lens to produce less or more blur is a joy. I love playing with shallow depth of field, and with the addition of their macro add-ons I can shoot close-up shallow depth of field at very little extra expense! They also produce an amazing wide angle attachment for when you want to see more!
I must admit I love my Lensbaby original, which produces the most beautiful creamy dreamy soft blur around the outside, with a little bit of focus in just one spot.
To change aperture you drop out the little black disk with a hole in it, and replace it with another. Lensbabies don’t communicate with the camera, so it’s up to you to focus using the viewfinder.
Hi Lite was shot with LB Original However, since obtaining the Lensbaby Composer last year, I’ve switched allegiances.
Composer is a sweet lens, much easier to use, and has the optional drop in Optic Swap System! The Optic Swap System lets you switch the optic in your lens.
Composer arrives with the Double Glass Optic installed which has a sharp ‘Sweet Spot’ of sharp focus that falls away into a beautiful blur. You can move the sweet spot around your photo by bending the lens. When you want a different look, you can take out Double Glass and drop in Single Glass for a more primitive look, Plastic for a toy camera look or Pinhole/Zone plate to do pinhole photography!
Lensbaby has just announced two more optics:- Fisheye and Soft Focus, which means you can have six different looks with your Composer or Muse.
(Optic Swap System)
For those of us with movie-making capability with their DSLRs, Lensbabies offer the ability to add atmospheric blur to movies as well!
The Glory was shot using LB Composer with deliberate defocus.
Breezy was shot using LB 3G, the predecessor to Control Freak.
The Lensbaby Group has some outstanding examples of work done with these lenses.
Don’t forget, focus is over-rated.
(Lensbaby accessories)
Peter Hill
I have you (and Adriana) to thank for turning me onto Lensbaby. Thank you! One of my favourite images was shot with a Lensbaby Muse and I’m lovin’ it:
Quick question though – Adriana made me a heart—shaped aperture ring out of a fridge magnet. I cut the circle to size and it fits, but I can’t get any heart-shaped images out of it. I am doing something wrong – any suggestions?
Mel Brackstone replied
You need to get yourself into a situation where there are specular highlights or lots of lights in the background, focus on the object you want in focus, and let the highlights go way out of focus….that’ll give you the shapes….
Tracey Mac
I want one :(
One day….sigh
Awesome journal Mel..
Love the heart and star thingies!!
Mel Brackstone replied
The creative aperture disks are fabulous, Tracey!
robpixaday
Oh, YUMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If I had any income I’d buy one of these wonderful contraptions….thank you for this information!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe someday…..
Mel Brackstone replied
Maybe some day :)
betha
I really want one!! I am trying to convince my husband I need one, but it is not working.
Mel Brackstone replied
Christmas isn’t too far away :)
Matt Penfold
That sounds really loupey to me Mel ;-) I like the title: “muse lens”
I love what you do with the Lensbaby, Bella is my favorite :-)
Mel Brackstone replied
Amuse lens is good too, cos it keeps people amused for hours :) Bella is gorgeous, a wonderful study for lensbaby :)
Sharon Hammond
As you know I already have one, which sits all alone in my camera bag wondering when it’ll be used for a good shot….just won another one which is going to a good home – keep any eye out on Barb’s PF for some lensbaby goodness
Mel Brackstone replied
You need to take all the other lenses off the camera and just leave the lensbaby on
Lets see lots of photos of scarly and lizzi…..practise practise practise ;)
Wendi Donaldson
Mel you are SUCH an inspiration and resource to us all…..MANY THANKS for all of this info. Your gallery is a delight!! Thoroughly enjoyed trawling thru all your images…and now I’m inspired…... next on ‘the list’..... Thanks!!!! Cheers! W.
Mel Brackstone replied
Thanks so much Wendi! Good luck!
Sharon Hammond
yes but my new 10-22 came yesterday….might get some 5am seascapes….PML
Mel Brackstone replied
PML indeed!!!!!!!!!!
Jonathan L Green
Thanks For The INFO
Mr. Mel !
I Can’t Wait To Get My Lens Baby Soon
Baby !
Mel Brackstone replied
heh
Jonathan L Green
Ooops,
Sorry,
Mrs. Mel !
Mel Brackstone replied
Happens all the time….lol!
DragonFlyer
Yep I have one, and play with it too (though I don’t think I’ve posted anything taken with it…) and I totally agree – there’s nothing better than a good bit of blur ;)))
K xx
Mel Brackstone replied
I do love creative images :)
Barb Leopold
Can’t wait for my little lensbaby to come, thanks to my dear mate Shaz…... then your eyes will pop out of your heads (not sure whether the images will be good, or not, yet!!!)
Mel Brackstone replied
Looking forward to seeing what you do with it Barb!
Angela King-Jones
I have the composer and must admit I am having creativity problems. I think I just need to get out there and see what I can see. Thank you for reminding me and for the update on the fisheye. I am excited to purchase!!
Mel Brackstone replied
I get inspired just by looking at Ollie’s work, or just go through the lensbaby friends pages….there are SO many amazing artists using the lenses.
rjcolby
When I got my first Lensbaby, it went on the camera and stayed for months. Best way to get a handle on the thing. Fell in love with it and now Composer is my main LB. I thing the soft focus lens will be useful. It should have arrived at home by now. Anxious to get back to give it a try.
Mel Brackstone replied
That’s how I learnt too dick…..Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
Sue Nueckel
Just put in my long awaited order with Lensbaby =D
Thanks Mel for the resource info and for giving some of us inspiration to be creative =D
Mel Brackstone replied
Good for you, Sue, hopefully it’ll give you years of pleasure :)
Matthew Walters
Great journal Mel, flying the flag for ‘our’ little Baby.
Mel Brackstone replied
Very welcome, Matthew!
Adriana Glackin
Yep, love, love, LOVE the whole lensbaby thang!! Re: PH’s comment up above, I’ve taken a whole stack of images using a heart ring, as well as a star ring – it’s like there are magical pixies in the image with the shaped bokeh showing up. Thanks so much Mel for introducing me to the wonders of the lensbaby – and there will definitely be one under my tree this year! ;)
Mel Brackstone replied
It’s so satisfying to see someone fly once they’ve been given the plane, you’re a natural with lensbaby Adriana!!! I hope you’ve been submitting your work at lensbabies friends?
Adriana Glackin
Ooo – I have been forgetful of that site – let me remedy that now by adding my latest image. Thanks so much! ♥
Elana Bailey
This is an undiscovered world for me at the moment Mel, but one that beckons to be found (just have to find the extra cash and time)....lol..many thanks so very much for the wonderful temptation and information. Cheers Elana.
Mel Brackstone replied
Now there’s a chance to win one, Elena, have a go!!!
Vicki Ferrari
Thanks Mel, I am going to look seriously into these! They are fascinating! I was going to have a play around with Ann’s but the time just disappeared and now this information gets dropped into my lap (thank you for refreshing my brain!!) ... I will be catching up with Ann one day:))) Cheers Vicki :))
Mel Brackstone replied
Give the challenge a go, Vicki! Hopefully we can compare notes on lensbabies soon!
Anna Larson
Thanks so much for the info… :-) Great job…!
Mel Brackstone replied
You’re welcome, Anna, they add so much fun to photography!
Gillian Bates
I have only belonged to redbubble for nearly two weeks. i have learned so much. This is just great. I have never heard of these lenses. Now I want one. Thank you for the info. Well done!
Mel Brackstone replied
Welcome to Redbubble, Gillian! There is so much to learn here, it’s a very inspiring place! Good luck with the lensbaby challenge!
Anna Larson
I had heard of them, but never read up, now I reall hope I win one, Macro is my favorite because of the blur, with this lens I can expand :)
Mel Brackstone replied
And macro with lensbaby is awesome!
Anna Larson
Awesome! thanks for letting me know, If I don’t win I am gonig to get one, so glad this came about on RB…:) I need to win the lotto, this hobby is exspensive…:) you learn more then need more…!
Mel Brackstone replied
it’s a little like digging a hole in the ground and throwing money into it :) But we do need to find ways to stretch ourselves, don’t we :)
Good luck!
Anna Larson
Yeah your right, thanks so much…:)
tmlakshmi
How do I upload my work for the challenge? I see nothing about it
Mel Brackstone replied
First you need to upload some images to your portfolio….in My Bubble/Add your work.
Once you have some images there, go here and you’ll see what’s in your portfolio, and then you can choose something…
Ken pravin
What is more important in this challenge, image quality or….something else!
Mel Brackstone replied
I”m sorry, I’m not one of the judges.
Mel Sinclair
that reminds me, its about time i picked up my lensbaby again…
Mel Brackstone replied
Excellent idea!!!
robpixaday
Mel!!! I feel really dopey asking this, but do you know if a Canon EFS lens will work with the Lensbaby? The Lensbaby site says “EF.”
I have a Canon Rebel EOS xsi with an EFS lens….
I’ve been trying to find the answer but every site my searches take me to just want to sell me cameras and lenses….
Mel Brackstone replied
Rob, ALL Canon EOS cameras are able to use EF lenses, some (like your Rebel) can also use EFS lenses….so don’t fret, the Canon mount lensbaby will fit on your camera. :)
robpixaday
MEL!!!!!! (((((((((thankyouhugs))))))))
I’m considering taking some money I have set aside for next year to get my hair cut (and dyed…LOL) & using it to buy a Composer. I can walk around with long white hair for a year, right?
Thank you again!!!!!!!
::runs home giggling::
Mel Brackstone replied
You’re welcome! I’ve been walking around with white hair for years….hehe
Sue Nueckel
Hey Mel,My lensbaby arrived today :D
I bought the composer & macrokit ,So very excited to start playing with it.
Mel Brackstone replied
Good news, Sue!!! Looking forward to seeing what you do with it!
JudyBJ
Hi Mel,i’m missing my lensbaby that i used to have with my nikon.When i switched to canon ,that went too.
Hope maybe i can win one :) or i’ll have to save up for the composer(that’s what i think will be best for me)
Mel Brackstone replied
Hi Judy, you could have used the nikon lensbaby on the canon…..just need a nikon to canon adaptor, available from many online stores….
Good luck with the comp!
JudyBJ
well ,i tryed getting an adaptor but couldnt in Israel and anyway it was one of the first ones and now the composer is more precise.I dont think i stand a chace with that manny photos in the competition,but we’ll see :)
Mel Brackstone replied
You don’t need to use a lensbaby to enter….
JudyBJ
i know-i alredy entered one with a lensbaby imitation effect but by now there are sooooooooooo manny entries that chances are about as big as winning the lottery :)
If your curious to see ,this is what i entered
http://www.redbubble.com/people/judybj/art/4047853-1-wish-i-had-a-lensbaby