Lensbaby 3G
Reviewed By: Doug Sahlin
Rating: *****
The Lensbaby is now in its 3rd iteration. The original Lensbaby, which is still available at www.lensbabies.com, is a single element non-coated glass lens, with a focal length of about 50 mm, which is attached to the lens mount with a rubber bellows. To change the f/stop for the lens, you replace the aperture disk, which is held in place by a rubber washer. Focus is achieved by pulling the outer ring of the lens toward you. You can then change the sweet spot of focus by tilting the outer ring. The available apertures for the Original Lensbaby are: f/2.8, f/4, f5.6, and f/8.
Lensbaby 2.0 uses a multi-coated glass doublet that also has a focal length of 50mm and a wide-open aperture of f/2.0. This lens also uses aperture disks, but they are made of a magnetized plastic and snap into place. You focus the lens and adjust the sweet spot of focus by pulling the outer ring toward you and then tilting it. The lens is sharper than the original Lensbaby and ships with the following aperture inserts: f/2.0, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8.0.
The Lensbaby 3G uses the same optics as the 2.0, but has new controls that enable you to lock focus, and then fine-tune the focus. There are also additional aperture inserts all the way up to f/22. This iteration of the Lensbaby also uses magnetized plastic aperture inserts, but comes with a much better tool for removing and inserting them: a magnet. The Lensbaby 3G has the following aperture disks: f/2.0, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22. The aperture disks are stored in the head of the aperture disk tool, which looks exactly like the cap for a 35 mm film canister.
With so many aperture disks, choosing a specific f/stop for the Lensbaby 3G is pretty much a shot in the dark. It would be nice if the disks were labeled, but for me it’s fine to remember that smaller aperture disks provide a larger sweet spot of focus. It’s also hard to focus with the smaller apertures. However the smaller apertures are used mostly for product shots or architecture. The solution is to mount the camera on a tripod, lock focus with the f/8 aperture disk, and then insert the desired disk.
Like any other new tool, you’ll have to get used to the controls on the Lensbaby 3G. I’ve used mine on a regular basis for almost a month. You pull the bellows toward you to achieve focus and then shift it to move the sweet spot of focus to the desired spot in the image. You can then shoot your picture, or press a button to lock focus. You fine-tune focus by moving a lever that is connected to the barrel focusing ring. You fine-tune the position of the sweet spot by rotating the focusing posts.
Product Information:
The Lensbaby 3G is available for Canon EF (EOS), Nikon F, Minolta Maxxum/Sony Alpha A, Pentax K/Samsung GX, Olympus E1/Panasonic Lumix DMC, and Leica R cameras and currently retails for $270. Available accessories include a wide angle/telephoto kit that retails for $89.00 and a macro kit that retails for $33.00. Lensbaby also offers the wide angle/telephoto and macro accessories in a bundle that retails for $114.00. You can purchase any Lensbaby and accessories from the Lensbabies web site www.lensbabies.com. B&H Photo also carries the Lensbaby 2.0, Lensbaby 3G and accessories.
Conclusion *****
The Lensbaby 3G is an excellent addition to any photographer’s camera bag. It’s a very useful tool for product photographers who want the Lensbaby look with repeatable results. Product photographers will use the Lensbaby 3G on a tripod. But the lens also works great when the camera is handheld. I give the Lensbaby a 5 stars. rating. It’s easy to use and enables me to capture some very artistic images. The following image of a Bird of Paradise flower was taken with a Lensbaby 3G with the +10 Macro attachment..
