Lensbaby First Try

darkdragon

Alright, after a couple months, I finally got out with my Lensbaby 2.0. I also had a 37mm CPL filter on it.

What do you think?

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darkdragon

Hmm. I'm thinking either these are really really horrible or nobody likes lensbaby shots.

Llywellyn

darkdragon wrote:

Hmm. I'm thinking either these are really really horrible or nobody likes lensbaby shots.

No images are showing for me, actually.

Darren Troy C

I think it's because all we can see are the infamous Red X's.

darkdragon

Oh no! Fixed it! Thank you both for posting that, I didn't know

Llywellyn

There they are. I like the effect on the the first one, though the subject feels a bit too centered. Never would have thought to use a Lensbaby for photographing birds! Interesting application.

darkdragon

Llywellyn wrote:

There they are. I like the effect on the the first one, though the subject feels a bit too centered. Never would have thought to use a Lensbaby for photographing birds! Interesting application.

Thanks!

Yeah, like the title says it was my first try and not so good at getting non-centered lensbaby stuff to be in focus. Still not sure why the image I capture is not the same as the image I see in the viewfinder (probably because of moving my hand a little when I press the shutter button).

pyry

Llywellyn wrote:

There they are. I like the effect on the the first one, though the subject feels a bit too centered. Never would have thought to use a Lensbaby for photographing birds! Interesting application.

Lensbabies aren't sharp anywhere but the very middle... unless you shift it I guess.

I've considered one for ages, but I'm sort of leaning toward a center spot diffuser.

I do kinda like these photos though, using a lensbaby on birds is a first
The first one is really nice. The radial effect is attenuated enough not be distracting and the softness does work here. I like the pose the bird gave here too

black mamba

I'm always glad to see people try new tools and ideas....I don't do enough of that myself. If these are representative of what one can expect from using a Lensbaby, I don't think I'm going to be a big fan of that process. There's too much OOF for my taste. I'll be interested to see what you produce as your skills with this thing increase. Good luck.

Tom

Llywellyn

pyry wrote:

Lensbabies aren't sharp anywhere but the very middle... unless you shift it I guess.

I thought it could be shifted as I vaguely remember the little tutorial videos on their site. I'm sure it takes some practice. And starting with moving targets likely makes it much harder.

darkdragon

black mamba wrote:

I'm always glad to see people try new tools and ideas....I don't do enough of that myself. If these are representative of what one can expect from using a Lensbaby, I don't think I'm going to be a big fan of that process. There's too much OOF for my taste. I'll be interested to see what you produce as your skills with this thing increase. Good luck.

Tom

As far as I understand it, there is only a small area that will ever be in focus with the Lensbaby. I've heard of some people trying to do stacked focus for more area, but haven't seen any images from that. I don't think that would work with the 2g though, there is no way to lock off the focus.

darkdragon

thanks for the comments Pyry. I agree with Llywellyn, I think that there is a small amount in focus but that little circle can be moved around. For instance, my duck photo is "in focus" on the duck face but that is not in the exact center. Though I think I may have cropped that, I'll check when I get home.

It is a LOT of work to use a lensbaby 2G, i think that the 3G is better because you can lock off the focus tube.

I decided to go to the park and shoot birds/ducks because I thought it would be more interesting then the landscapes, buildings, cars, and flowers that everyone else seems to shoot.

I have since purchased the macro filter kit but no chance to get out and try that out yet.