Lens Baby composer is not a baby in my eyes but a parent in specialty photographic lenses

Product: Lens Baby Composer

RATING: 4.5 stars

Before I begin I’d like to show you the video footage I took of Craig Strong at WPPI 2010.. Thanks Craig for your time!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

The camera lens has a small form factor and clean in design. In my opinion, less toylike than the muse and control freak and previous Lensbabys. I personally don’t like the toylike look so the composer is the perfect lensbaby to leave attached to my Nikon D200.

The lensbaby was delivered in a square box decorated with images. I was also fortunate enough to receive the Lensbaby Optic kit along with my lensbaby composer. The Optic kit includes 3 optics to be used with any of your lensbaby lenses. In terms of my photography style, i intend to use the Single glass the most. Although, I will be showcasing images taken using each lens. The Single optic lens, the Double optic (came with Composer), the Plastic optic and then the Pinhole zone plate. Similar to the composer box, the optics boxes are decorated with images taken using that particular lens.

After reviewing the exterior of the boxes for both the Lensbaby composer and the Lensbaby Optic kit, I proceeded with opening the Lensbaby composer highly decorated square box that showcases an image of a bird created using a Lensbaby. I must say that the lens looks very promising with the type of images I’ve seen on different sites and print publications. I am very excited to give it a test drive.

When you open the box, the Lensbaby composer is protected in a velvet like pouch. At removal, you can feel the plastic of the lens but surprisingly it didn’t feel like cheap plastic. It almost feels like my Nikkor 50mm f1.8. Which is a good thing..everyone.

I then dug deeper into the bag and found an object in the shape of a paddle. In closer examination, the circular part of the object holds aperture rings ranging from f2.8 – f22. I then removed the cap on the other end to find a magnetic tip which seems to be the tool to switch out the aperture rings. I’ve switched the aperture rings with little effort. It seems there are magnets to the sides of the optic.

Now that I’ve examined the composer, it’s time to unbox the Lensbaby Optic Kit. Upon opening you see the lens insert enclosed in a hard clear plastic container with the lid of the container looking to be a tool to remove an existing optic and for installation. One thing to note is to keep track of the color designations for each optic. The yellow outline labels the single glass optic, the neon green outline is the double glass optic , the baby blue is the plastic optic and the pink is the pinhole/zone plate.

My initial optic switch was suprisingly very easy. It literally took seconds to switch the optics which was rather impressive and rather important if you are doing a fast paced engagement session or wedding.

I am looking forward to testing out the Lensbaby composer.

AFTER A WEEK OF NORMAL USE:

I am truly amazed of the type of quality the Lensbaby composer is able to produce. I took a few pictures of random objects and with the effects it produces the objects look a little “cooler” more “artistic”. I’ve switched through all of the optics and i have to say it was a painless process. The use of the focus ring was also similar to normal lenses which i found useful. Also, the lens adjustment to control the blur effect was easy as well. I like the fact that there is also a way to lock the blur effect adjustment with a simple twist of the lens. The next test would be to actually use the Lens Baby composer in a rushed capicity such as engagement sessions and weddings.

I’ve posted some quick comparison images of each optic below. These images doesn’t give justice to what the lens can do. Check out my engagement session ring image for a better example of what this lens could do for you.

Order

Yellow Single optic

Neon Green Double optic

baby blue Plastic

Purple Pinhole

AFTER FIRST USE IN A PHOTO SHOOT

Wow..wow… This is a great specialty lens. For this shift focus type effect, I will never have to resort to my Adobe Photoshop CS4 any longer. For those that know me, you know why. I really dont like to do a lot of Photoshop work. I try to get what I need on-camera which can be at times challenging but it is good because it forces me to hone my photography skills and really refine my photography technique.

I used the Lensbaby for an engagment session. For a few images, I wanted to bring all of the attention to the engagement ring and then one image to their facial expression as they embraced each other. It took me a while to have the center focus on the rings, but when i did the results were amazing. Also note, that since there isn’t a stabilizer built in the Lensbaby Composer, make sure you are shooting at a fairly fast shutter speed and hold the camera as close to your body as possible. I don’t believe my camera shutter settings were ever below 160 shutter speed.

PROS:

• Easy to use

• Lightweight and durable
• Clean design: “It doesn’t look like a toy”

• Avoid Photoshop for shift-focus type effects since you can utilize the effect on camera.

• Ability to swap aperture rings and optics without much trouble

CONS:

• Not sure if this is really a con but maybe more of a concern on my end. Since I am very active when i photograph engagement sessions and weddings, the concern i am referring to is the magnet holding the aperture ring to the optics. The aperture ring hasn’t fallen out of the optic the times i’ve used it but I still have that fear of the aperture ring falling out for some reason. I know I know, I should stress about it when the aperture ring actually falls out of the optics. I’ve ran with my camera and Lensbaby Composer attached and facing down with no issues. So, I really should just trust the aperture ring will stay in place. I worry to much, I know!!

CONCLUSION:
If you want to avoid Adobe Photoshop CS4 as much as possible for the shift focus type effect, then the Lensbaby Composer is the specialty lens for you. You also won’t bring too much attention to yourself using the Lensbaby Composer as it doesn’t look too weird. Id also recommend to purchase the optic system to take advantage of the other effects the Lensbaby can produce.