Q. What are the differences among all of the optics available in the Lensbaby Optic Swap System?
DOUBLE GLASS OPTIC
Provides a tack-sharp Sweet Spot of focus with a graduated blur and minimum diffusion at all aperture settings.
50mm multi-coated optical glass doublet.
SINGLE GLASS OPTIC
Update of the Original Lensbaby's primitive optic, ideal for fine art, portraiture, black and white images and any shot requiring a subtle, soft, dreamy effect.
50mm single, non-coated glass element.
PLASTIC OPTIC
Perfect for plastic fanatics.
Our softest optic overall, creating very ethereal photos with abundant chromatic aberration.
Uncoated 50mm double convex plastic singlet.
SOFT FOCUS OPTIC
Much like a classic Imagon portrait lens, it creates images with an overall soft and diffused look. You can vary the amount of softness by changing and stacking the aperture disks.
Use with the Scout lens body for ideal results.
50mm flat field multi-coated doublet.
FISHEYE OPTIC
Captures eye-popping fisheye views from infinity all the way down to one inch from the front of your lens. (Fisheye adapter required for use with the Muse and Control Freak*)
Use with the Scout lens body for ideal results.
Ultra-wide 12mm focal length with a 160 degree field of view.
PINHOLE/ZONE PLATE OPTIC
Shift easily back and forth from pinhole to zone plate mode with your digital SLR by simply sliding a toggle inside the optic cup.
Pinhole (f 177) and zone plate (f 19) options achieve softer focus, producing dreamy images that are equally sharp from edge to edge.
The surface area of the zone plate is larger than the pinhole and therefore requires less exposure time.
The zone plate will also produce images with a much more glowing and diffused light than the pinhole, which tends to be sharper.**
Use with the Scout lensbody for ideal results.
* Please note: the Fisheye Optic requires an adapter to use it with the Muse or the Control Freak. The adapter is sold on the accessories page as the Fisheye Adapter. If you use the Fisheye with the Muse or Control Freak without the adapter you run the risk of crashing the optic into the mirror inside your camera due to the size of the optic. The Fisheye Optic is not compatible with the Composer with Tilt Transformer.
**Please note: you will not see any Lensbaby blur in the Pinhole and Zone Plate, Soft Focus or Fisheye photos. These optics are extra creative options that Lensbaby offers. You should keep your Lensbaby centered facing straight ahead when using these optics.
Q. What are the differences among the previous Lensbaby line, the Original Lensbaby, the Lensbaby 2.0 and the Lensbaby 3G?
A.
There are two differences between the Original Lensbaby and Lensbaby
2.0: the optic and the aperture system. The optic in the Original is a
single non-coated glass element, while the 2.0 optic is a coated glass
doublet. Essentially, this means that the optic in the 2.0 is sharper.
The Lensbaby Optic Swap System is only for use with the Muse, Composer, and Control Freak. It is not designed to work with the Original, 2.0 and 3G.
The Original Lensbaby (Single Glass Optic)
gives your pictures a softer, dreamier look; it has been called a “Holga on steroids" or a “digital Diana". Because the Original optic is
non-coated, your pictures will show some diffusion, and occasionally,
prismatic color shifts. Some portrait photographers lean toward the
Original because it is softer and more forgiving. All Lensbabies have
manual aperture systems: they come with a set of disks that drop into
the front of the lens. The Original disks are held in place with a
rubber gasket. To change the aperture, you pluck the gasket out, change
the disk and drop the gasket back in.
The Lensbaby 2.0 (Double Glass Optic)
comes with one more aperture than the Original (f 2.0). There are
shielded magnets inside the 2.0. The magnets work together with disks
that are made of metalicized plastic, so they drop in and stay in. The
aperture controls the size of your Sweet Spot and how much blur appears in your picture; choose the
aperture for the effect that you want to achieve, then compensate with
your shutter speed.
The Lensbaby 3G (Double Glass Optic) has
the same optics and aperture system as the Lensbaby 2.0. It comes with
3 extra apertures: f 11, f 16 and f 22. The major difference between 3G
and the two earlier versions is that you can lock the 3G into place.
Once it is locked you can fine-focus it. This allows you to repeat your
shot and work in lower light situations using long exposures. You can
shoot unlocked as you would with the Original or the 2.0 or you can
lock it into place, fine-focus and adjust the tilt.
Q. Why not just use software to try to create a Lensbaby look? Is it possible?
A: Many world renowned Photoshop® authorities, such as Katrin Eismann, Jack Davis, and Jim DiVitale, have told us that it is impossible to replicate with software the natural, organic optical effects a Lensbaby creates. But, many devoted Lensbaby users will not even argue that point because even if software could emulate the Lensbaby's look, there are many reasons why using a Lensbaby is more satisfying:
1) Speed
2) More organic
3) Multiple angles
4) Curved field of focus
5) Showing instant results to client
Q. Where can I purchase Lensbabies retail?
Q. Can I purchase a Lensbaby Gift Certificate?
A. Yes. Click here to purchase from our webstore:
Lensbaby Gift Certificates. You can also purchase one by calling us toll free: 877-536-7222 or outside the USA: 971-223-5662.
Q. Is your webstore secure?
A. Absolutely.
Q. I don't have a credit card; can I still order a Lensbaby?
A. You can send us a cashier's check or money order as payment and we will ship your Lensbaby when it clears. We also accept PayPal at Kirsten@lensbabies.com
Q. How can I figure out how much the shipping costs will be?
A.
Domestic shipping is free with USPS Priority Mail for purchases over $30. We also offer UPS
Overnight, 2-Day, 3-Day and Ground. For international orders, USPS Priority International starts at $18 to Canada and $28 for other
countries. UPS is offered to some international destinations. To calculate shipping simply choose your items and enter your zip/postal
code and you will get a quote with options and prices door to door.
Please note that USPS does not offer detailed tracking.
Q. I don't live in the United States. Will I have to pay duties if I import a Lensbaby?
A.
Overseas customers may indeed have to pay import duties and other taxes
such as VAT. Lensbabies does not have a list of all the taxes collected
by various countries.
Q. If I buy a Lensbaby do you have tech support?
A.
Sure, if you have any problems, just send us an e-mail (customerhappiness@lensbaby.com) or give us a call (toll free: 877-536-7222 or outside the USA: 971-223-5662) and we will do our best to answer your questions. You may be able
to find the answer you need below, under Technical Questions.
Q. What if I change my mind about the Lensbaby and want to return it?
A.
All Lensbabies come with a 30-day money back guarantee, provided the
Lensbaby is in new condition. The customer covers the shipping charges.
You can return it to: Lensbaby, LLC. Attention: I don't love my
Lensbaby. 824 SE 16th Avenue. Portland, Oregon. 97214 USA. You do not need an RMA. Just enclose your invoice or a letter with your order information so we know who to credit.
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Q. How do I change the aperture on my Fisheye optic?
A. Simply unscrew the top of the optic. The Fisheye optic is f 4 with no disk and comes with disks that range from f 5.6 to f 22.
Q. What will my Lensbaby images look like with a full frame sensor camera vs a crop sensor camera?
A. See images above for a comparison between two different crop sensor cameras and a full frame sensor camera.
Q. What will my Fisheye optic image look like in my crop sensor camera?
A. Both images were taken with the Lensbaby Fisheye optic. The top photo is a crop sensor image and the bottom photo is a full frame sensor image.
Q. Does the Lensbaby stay in place when you use it?
A.
The Composer stays in place, the Control Freak can be held in place by
a locking mechanism you engage by pressing a button. The Muse does
not stay in place by itself - you need to hold it in place while you shutter. The legacy Lensbaby lenses, the Original Lensbaby and Lensbaby 2.0 are like the Muse - controlled by your fingertips. The 3G is like the Control Freak, you can use it loose or locked.
Q. Can I retro-fit my Original Lensbaby, Lensbaby 2.0, or Lensbaby 3G to work with the Lensbaby Optic Swap System?
A.
No. The inside of the older generation Lensbabies are very different
than the new generation and there is no way to retrofit the swappable
optics to work in them.
Q. Is the Lensbaby an attachment?
A. No, the Lensbaby is an actual SLR lens. You take your current lens off your camera and replace it with the Lensbaby.
Q. Which Lensbaby will work on my camera?
A. Lensbabies are available and work on almost all versions of
Single Lens Reflex cameras
that have interchangeable lenses. We have 5 different mounts.
The Canon EF Lensbaby will fit on all Canon DSLR and SLR bodies, the Nikon Lensbaby will fit on all Nikon SLR and DSLR bodies, etc. We also make Pentax Olympus 4/3 and Sony mount Lensbabies. The Sony Lensbabies also fit Maxxum and Dynax SLR cameras.
If your camera is a
point-and-shoot, the Lensbaby won't work.
Q. Do you have the User Guide that came with my Lensbaby available online?