Yesterday I picked up my Lensbaby macro lens kit at the post office (along with a telephoto kit and a set of creative apertures) and today I had an opportunity to make a few images with it.
Oh boy, am I going to have a lot of fun with the two macro lenses that come in this kit? You bet!
So how does it work? Well, it’s super easy.
Obviously first of all you need to have a Lensbaby if you don’t have one already. Choose between the Muse, Control Freak or the Composer.
I have both the Muse and the Composer but I much prefer the Composer which is also the latest lens the creative people at Lensbaby have put on the market.
The macro kit itself comes with two lenses: +4 and +10. The macro lenses simply screw on to the front of the Lensbaby. The +4 lens focuses to 6 to 13″ (15 to 33cm) and the +10 lens focuses to 3 to 6″ (7.6 to 15cm). You can also stack the two lenses and focus as close as 2 to 3″ (5 to 8cm).
As with any macro lens these two macro lenses open up a whole new world of amazing image possibilites.
Today I put my Lensbaby Composer on my Canon 20D which I have had converted to a dedicated infrared camera a few months ago. The good folks over at LifePixel did the conversion for me. I can highly recommend them, they are quick, easy and professional to deal with.
I’m yet to experiment a lot more with infrared photography, but I really like the effect you can achieve with a dedicate infrared camera. You can see some examples of black and white infrared images in my posts Infrared Black and White and More Infrared Black and White.
In the case of these images I didn’t convert them to black and white as I really liked the rich red brown tones that emerged as I messed around with the images in Lightroom.
What do you think? If you have made any infrared images I’d love to see them. Just share a link in the comments to this post.
P.S. You guessed it. The edge effect was created using OnOne Software’s PhotoFrame plug-in for Photoshop. Use the coupon code 24SEVEN at check-out to receive an immediate 20% discount.
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10. October 2009 at 7:07 pm
This produces some really soft & subtle images – love the effect.
11. October 2009 at 6:43 pm
Hi David, thanks for your comments. Yes, I’m definitely going to experiment more with the Lensbaby macro kit. It’s a fun tool to have in the gear bag.
12. October 2009 at 3:20 am
I like the abstract nature of these – very “dreamy”.
You are doing nothing to help me with my Christmas list of *affordable* presents for my wife!
12. October 2009 at 8:41 am
Thank you Mike. You could always ask to combined Christmas and Birthday.
14. October 2009 at 12:39 pm
Hi Thomas,
I am thinking of buying a Lensbaby and thought I would ask you, since you have both the Composer and the Muse, why you prefer the Composer. Is it because it is easier to use? Are the effects more or less the same? Also, where in Sydney do you get your Lensbaby accessories from (you wrote that you received them in the post). I am also based in Sydney.
14. October 2009 at 7:23 pm
Hi Ingrid, how are you? I haven’t checked in with your blog for a while but just did so now and you have some absolutely awesome shots. I like the revived David Jones series. I will leave some comments later.
As for the Lensbaby I would personally recommend the Lensbaby Composer as it’s sooo much easier to use than the Muse (I have never used the Control Freak). The Composer’s design is based on a ball socket and then you simply tilt the lens to a desired angle and then focus with a manual focusing ring. It stays in the desired bent position without requiring a locking mechanism although you can actually lock it down. In my opinion it is well worth spending the extra money on the Composer over the Muse.
I think most pros who have used all three lenses would point to the Composer as well (certainly judging from the pro blogs I have read)
I have bought my Lensbabies and accessories directly from the Lensbaby website. Simply click on the Buy Now link at the end of their link bar at the top.
Ordering has been simple and easy and the shipment of goods quick. I have usually received my things within 4-6 days via USPS after I have placed my order.
Just keep your purchase under A$1,000.00 (I don’t think all the stuff together would even amount to that) to avoid having to pay import duty and import GST.
Hope this helps? Let me know how you go! I look forward to seeing your Lensbaby shots.
16. October 2009 at 10:40 am
Thanks – that was very helpful, and a lot cheaper to order direct from the States. I didn’t think they would ship that quickly. But really, I have wanted a lensbaby for so long now that waiting a little longer won’t make a difference! So I have taken the plunge and ordered the Composer AND a creative aperture kit, just for fun! I will let you know when I get the hang of using it all!
16. October 2009 at 5:30 pm
Hi Ingrid, no worries at all.
Yes, the Aussie Dollar is strong these days so not a bad time to buy in US Dolalrs. You will be pleased with the Lensbaby and I think you will find that it makes you see in a new creative way. Soon you will be looking for Lensbaby subjects!
I’m yet to experiment with creative aperture kit, but will doing that very soon.
I look forward to seeing your images.