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Tom Raviv

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I'm rather new to the DSLR world. (okay, very new.)
I have an XTi, a kit lens, and a 50mm f/1.8 in my disposal..

I've seen these online.
If someone could please explain a bit about them,
and perhaps post some samples.

Is the Lensbaby 3G as unique as it seems?
also, how is it in terms of IQ?

--
He took a duck in the face at two hundred and fifty knots....
 
Not sure if there are other products offering selective focusing in a flexible manner, but I'm pretty sure Lensbaby 3G is the only such product that gives more accurate control. I'm also interested in trying the effect, but not prepared to spend my cash on it quite yet. I'm afraid it could well be one of those things that seem very cool at first, but boring after a while.
Tom Raviv said:
I'm rather new to the DSLR world. (okay, very new.)
I have an XTi, a kit lens, and a 50mm f/1.8 in my disposal..

I've seen these online.
If someone could please explain a bit about them,
and perhaps post some samples.

Is the Lensbaby 3G as unique as it seems?
also, how is it in terms of IQ?

--
He took a duck in the face at two hundred and fifty knots....
Click to expand...
 
I have both the Lensbaby 2.0 and the new 3 version. I got the 2.0 about a year or so ago and the newer version in November/December.

In a nutshell I would say the Lensbaby is like a bellows with movement somewhat similar to a large format camera. You have moderate amounts of tilt, shift or both available to you in virtually all planes and angles. This allows for some interesting depth of field and focus effects. Where I believe the Lensbaby differs from traditional perspective control lenses is that only a portion of the lens will be in focus. Some part of the picture will always have an out-of-focus, dreamy quality. The diameter of the "good" portion of the lens is variable; by switching orifices/aperatures in the Lensbaby (about 15 seconds - very easy to do) you change the relative size of the blurred areas. By using the movements you can place the "clear" portion of the photograph most anywhere on the frame you would like. By it's nature the Lensbaby is not designed for maximum IQ, but for interesting effects. All that said, the portions of the picture in focus have pretty good IQ; flare is well controlled and colors are decent.

I think shooting with the Lensbaby is alot of fun. Since digital pictures are cheap I'll shoot alot of photos when I'm playing around with it knowing that most won't be keepers. I shoot mainly flowers and close-ups with it. If you use the Aperature Priority for the camera, exposure is somewhat automatic. If you go to Lensbaby's website you'll see some beautiful photos of people. I don't shoot those type of pictures, but I can envision how I would do it. I'm off travelling for a couple of weeks, so I can't send you any pictures, but as the other poster mentioned, look at their website for examples.

In any case, back to your question. If you enjoy something different and are willing to try different things I think you'll enjoy the Lensbaby. I greatly prefer the 2.0 version over the newest version however. I shoot very spontaneously and quickly with the 2.0 and that's something I really enjoy. The newest version takes a lot more work and setup time but allows much more accurate focusing and repeatability which I think is great for some people, but not for me.
 
Thanks for the comment.
You're defiantly on par with my questions. :)
--
He took a duck in the face at two hundred and fifty knots....
 
The pictures you see on Lensbaby's website are typical of what a talented photographer can achieve. I can come close to matching the effects on flowers, and I wouldn't call myself particuarly talented. Whether or not it's the effect you want only you can answer.

It's easy for me to shoot with the 2.0; I really struggle with the newer version. I spent part of an evening last week with version 3, some driftwood and a red rose. My number of keepers wasn't any better with the new lens than with the old. I'm trying to manually focus in low light with a lens that only has a partial "in-focus" circle. All the rods, levers, locks and close focusing adjustments didn't help. Perhaps because my vision sucks... Who knows? As you can gather, I'm a big fan of the 2.0, not so much the update.

If you enjoy tinkering, the newer version would probably suit you fine.
 
It depends on how much "movement" you use. Just straight out - not a problem; a lot of movement you have an issue. When you're just using the plain Lensbaby I don't remember having any issues.

It is an issue with some of the Lensbaby adapters that are available. The wide angle adapter is the biggest concern. Much movement on that and you've got a problem. I don't recall the Macro adapter being an issue, but I'm not sure because I haven't used any of the adapters since fall.
 
Tom Raviv said:
I'm rather new to the DSLR world. (okay, very new.)
I have an XTi, a kit lens, and a 50mm f/1.8 in my disposal..

I've seen these online.
If someone could please explain a bit about them,
and perhaps post some samples.

Is the Lensbaby 3G as unique as it seems?
also, how is it in terms of IQ?

--
He took a duck in the face at two hundred and fifty knots....
Click to expand...
 
i think ray explained it really well.

i personally have the LB 2.0. i think the LB 3.0 kinda removes the spontaneity of the whole experience. it might be more useful in macro work?

i am not sure what you mean by IQ...but if you are rather particular about sharpness, then the LB may not be for you. it is not about the sharpness but about being creative with the blur.

here are some of my examples...

http://www.pbase.com/antidote3/image/48381821

http://www.pbase.com/antidote3/image/48183878

-------
http://www.pbase.com/antidote3
 
and the simulated effect on photoshop is not quite the same.

but the most important thing is the fun in using the lens and the spontaneity of seeing the end product in the viewfinder....instead of wasting time in front of a computer pp.

--------
http://www.pbase.com/antidote3
 
antidote said:
i think ray explained it really well.

i personally have the LB 2.0. i think the LB 3.0 kinda removes the
spontaneity of the whole experience. it might be more useful in
macro work?

i am not sure what you mean by IQ...but if you are rather
particular about sharpness, then the LB may not be for you. it is
not about the sharpness but about being creative with the blur.

here are some of my examples...

http://www.pbase.com/antidote3/image/48381821

http://www.pbase.com/antidote3/image/48183878

-------
http://www.pbase.com/antidote3
Click to expand...
 
Antidote,

Seems you and I share a common love affair with the 2.0 and frustration with the 3 version. My macro shots with the new version are no better than with the original.

You said it best - it's very enjoyable to play with the movements and try and predict exactly what you'll end up with. It is fun and I'd much rather spend time with my camera outdoors (or wherever) than sitting in front of a computer manipulating photos. My time outdoors is why I got into the hobby - I'm tied to an office and indoors way to much as it is.
 
You don't get to frame/see the shot as it will look at the moment you capture it if you are relying on a PP solution. With something like a lensbaby you get to see it in real time and take a shot with the effect in mind. You may find things that make interesting photos while messing with it that you could never have visualized otherwise.
 
Ray in NC said:
Antidote,

Seems you and I share a common love affair with the 2.0 and
frustration with the 3 version. My macro shots with the new
version are no better than with the original.
Click to expand...
when i first saw it in the ads....i thought that was its main purpose.
Ray in NC said:
You said it best - it's very enjoyable to play with the movements
and try and predict exactly what you'll end up with. It is fun and
I'd much rather spend time with my camera outdoors (or wherever)
than sitting in front of a computer manipulating photos. My time
outdoors is why I got into the hobby - I'm tied to an office and
indoors way to much as it is.
Click to expand...
can't agree more. :))

btw to the OP (tom)....don't mind jurgen (if you don't already know jurgen from your visits here)....he actually likes spending a lot time on the computer replying in abbreviated text with lots of nt(s)!

jurgen...see how much fun you could have from spending time shooting with the LB instead of replying to this post with another (nt). :D

---------
http://www.pbase.com/antidote3
 
Matthew Field said:
You don't get to frame/see the shot as it will look at the moment
you capture it if you are relying on a PP solution. With something
like a lensbaby you get to see it in real time and take a shot with
the effect in mind. You may find things that make interesting
photos while messing with it that you could never have visualized
otherwise.
Click to expand...
 
I spend my hours outdoors with beautiful women and their sisters.

This image is a lens baby tribute, with radial blur to mimic terror.



F
antidote said:
Ray in NC said:
Antidote,

Seems you and I share a common love affair with the 2.0 and
frustration with the 3 version. My macro shots with the new
version are no better than with the original.
Click to expand...
when i first saw it in the ads....i thought that was its main purpose.
antidote said:
You said it best - it's very enjoyable to play with the movements
and try and predict exactly what you'll end up with. It is fun and
I'd much rather spend time with my camera outdoors (or wherever)
than sitting in front of a computer manipulating photos. My time
outdoors is why I got into the hobby - I'm tied to an office and
indoors way to much as it is.
Click to expand...
can't agree more. :))

btw to the OP (tom)....don't mind jurgen (if you don't already know
jurgen from your visits here)....he actually likes spending a lot
time on the computer replying in abbreviated text with lots of
nt(s)!

jurgen...see how much fun you could have from spending time
shooting with the LB instead of replying to this post with another
(nt). :D

---------
http://www.pbase.com/antidote3
Click to expand...
 
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