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New Lensbaby launched at Photokina

Product news

23 September 2008 15:22

Lensbaby has used the German photographic trade show Photokina to launch its entirely new range of optics that should allow photographers to take creative control of depth-of-field focusing effects.

The Muse and Control Freak are intended as direct replacements for the Original, Lensbaby 2.0, and Lensbaby 3G, which will now be phased out. These new lenses look alike and have similar functionality, but have the addition of a new Optic Swap system.

A completely new type of Lensbaby, The Composer is based on a ball and socket configuration to deliver smooth selective focus photography, greater precision and ease of use. Unlike former Lensbaby optics, there’s no bellows to compress so you simply tilt the lens to the desired angle and it stays in position without requiring a locking mechanism. This allows photographers to fine-tune sharpness with ease using the barrel focusing ring.

All three new Lensbaby optics feature the new Lensbaby Optic Swap system, which offers four interchangeable optic options and the promise of more currently in development. Current options include: the Double Glass Optic – a 50mm multi-coated optical glass doublet that’s the same optic as in the Lensbaby 2.0 and Lensbaby 3G lenses (€46); the Single Glass Optic – a 50mm, updated, uncoated optical glass singlet similar to that used in the Original Lensbaby lens (€19); a Plastic Optic – a 50mm f/2 plastic singlet that maximises blur and diffusion for a dream-like effect (€19), and finally a Pinhole Zone/Plate optic – an optic cup with an f/177 aperture hole to allow for pinhole photography and an f/19 Zone plate opening allowing users further artistic exploration (€19).

The Composer is priced €146, including the Double Glass optic; the Muse is €82 including the Double Glass optic (or €54 for the Plastic optic) and the Control Freak is €146 also including the Double Glass optic. Aperture Discs are also included, ranging between f/2.8 and f/22 for the Control Freak and Composer, but limited to f/2.8-f/8 on the Muse.

Members of the Photo Answers team managed to get a hands-on look at the Composer lens and first impressions suggest that the new ball and socket functionality will make this lens much more user friendly.

Visit the Lensbaby website for more information…

http://www.lensbabies.com