Lensbaby Lensbaby 3G Special Effects Lens for Nikon Lens Mount

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The Lensbabies Lensbaby 3G works on the same principal as the Lensbaby 2.0, but also allows you to lock the lens into place once you have found your "sweet spot" of sharp focus and then to do fine focus adjustments. It is the ideal tool for photographers who require precise focusing, complete control, longer exposures, and repeatability.

When working with dynamic subject matter you can focus the Lensbaby 3G just like the Lensbaby 2.0 - by compressing and bending. For slower moving or static subject matter, you can lock the lens in place simply by pressing a button on the focusing collar. Then you can fine focus using a traditional barrel focusing ring and fine tune the tilt to place the sweet spot exactly where you want.

The Lensbaby is a hybrid between a bellows camera and a tilt-shift camera. The SLR lens can be compressed, extended, and/or bent off-center in any direction for different effect. It will add a unique perspective on the world that is a radical departure from the precision of digital or even film photography. It allows for selective focusing with SLR cameras. Effects like blurring, glowing highlights, and subtle, prismatic color distortions can all be achieved without software manipulations.

Compatible with all Nikon SLR cameras, as well as other brands that use the Nikon lens mount system; Fujifilm S1, S2, and S3 Pro; Kodak DCS 100, DCS 200, DCS 420, DCS 460, DCS 410, DCS 315, DCS 330, DCS 620, DCS 660, DCS 720x, DCS 760, DCS 760M, & DCS 14n.
The lens tubing is the part of the Lensbaby that allows you to control the effect that it gives. It can be compressed or extended by pulling or pushing the focusing collar at the end of the Lensbaby. This in turn controls what is in focus, with fully compressed focusing on infinity and full extended focusing about 1 foot ahead. To focus on subjects that are between these distances, you have to partly compress the Lensbaby.
The lens aperture can be changed by inserting different size magnetic aperture discs, with a choice of f/2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, and 22.
Improvements over original Lensbaby model:
  • Brighter: with added f/2.0 aperture setting
  • Sharper: with coated, high refractive index, low dispersion optical glass
  • Faster: shielded magnetic aperture disc system makes it easier and faster to change apertures
  • Allows for fine focusing and adjustments, with lock-down mechanism
  • f/Stop Range 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16 & 22
    Focal Length 50mm (approx.)
    Minimum Focus Distance 12" (30 cm)
    Filter Size 37mm
    Lens Elements/Groups 2 glass elements
    Length 3" (6.7 cm) [adjustable]
    Width 3" (6.7 cm)
    Weight 5.7 oz (161 g)

    REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

    by PowerReviews
    Lensbabies Lensbaby 3G Special Effects Lens for Nikon
     
    4.3

    (based on 10 reviews)

    Ratings Distribution

    • 5 Stars

       

      (6)

    • 4 Stars

       

      (3)

    • 3 Stars

       

      (0)

    • 2 Stars

       

      (0)

    • 1 Stars

       

      (1)

    89%

    of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

    Pros

    • Lightweight (6)

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Portraits (4)
      • Special effects (4)
      • Macro photography (3)
      • Travel (3)
        • Reviewer Profile:
        • Professional (4)

      Most Liked Positive Review

       

      Fun & Creative !

      The Lensbaby 3G has to be one of the most FUN Lenses I have in my arsenal thus far. If your looking to be creative with some crisp optics you won't go wrong getting one...Read complete review

      The Lensbaby 3G has to be one of the most FUN Lenses I have in my arsenal thus far. If your looking to be creative with some crisp optics you won't go wrong getting one of these. It steps down to a f/2.0 when not using any of the provided f/disks providing plenty of Bokeh (blur) and the Sweet Spot is almost as crisp as a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens. [...] I was VERY happy & Satisfied with the whole experience!

      VS

      Most Liked Negative Review

       

      Virtually unusable

      Some warnings about his product. On Nikon mount camera can't set exposure, must be all manual. The smaller aperature rings (such as F8) don't allow much light though so they are very hard...Read complete review

      Some warnings about his product. On Nikon mount camera can't set exposure, must be all manual. The smaller aperature rings (such as F8) don't allow much light though so they are very hard to use. You most likely won't get many pictures in focus. Might be OK for flowers where you can fine tune the focus but in general not usable for event photography.

      REVIEWS

      Reviewed by 10 customers

      Sort by

      Displaying reviews 1-10

      Back to top

       
      5.0

      Excellent Product

      By Veeda

      from New Jersey

      About Me Getting Started

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Easy To Use

      Cons

        Best Uses

          Comments about Lensbabies Lensbaby 3G Special Effects Lens for Nikon:

          Still learning but I love the new point of view this lens gives me.

          Comment on this review

           
          5.0

          Great Innovation in Lensbaby

          By AC Johnson Photography

          from Saint Paul, MN

          About Me Professional

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Improves Product Function

          Cons

          • Not Filter Friendly

          Best Uses

          • Macro Photography
          • Portraits
          • Studio
          • Traveling

          Comments about Lensbabies Lensbaby 3G Special Effects Lens for Nikon:

          The 3G's ability to refine focus is great for many situations. I've used it for weddings and landscapes! Yet, the product retains the 2.0's functionality for very fluid situations where there is no opportunity to refine focus. I hope the next evolution makes it easier to use a filter over the lens.

          Comment on this review

           
          4.0

          Great for the price

          By Videomac

          from Panamá, Rep of Panamá

          About Me Professional

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Easily Interchangeable
          • Lightweight

          Cons

          • Weak Casing

          Best Uses

          • Special Effects

          Comments about Lensbabies Lensbaby 3G Special Effects Lens for Nikon:

          Is was really easy to use the focus and the bellows (tube)The fx it creates is great, the only let down is the "manual iris" system, I don't how to call it.

          Comment on this review

           
          5.0

          I want every Lensbabies Product

          By Steve with Purple Converses

          from Philadelphia, PA

          About Me Semi-Professional

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Durable
          • Improves Product Function
          • Lightweight
          • Very Sharp Images

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Macro Photography
            • Portraits
            • Studio
            • Traveling

            Comments about Lensbabies Lensbaby 3G Special Effects Lens for Nikon:

            I use the product for pretty much anything I can. I use it for Portraits, Nature, Still life, Architecture. Anything I can. I have trouble convincing myself to take the lens off to put on my regular lenses. The effects are phenomenal. The effects you see by the pros on their page are most definitely able to be created by amateur photographers. It takes a little bit of getting used to at first, and may be hard to get very sharp images at first, but practice yields better results.

            Comment on this review

             
            4.0

            WonderBaby

            By jamal.f

            from Ocala,Fl

            About Me Professional

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Easy To Use
            • Lightweight

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Macro Photography
              • Portraits
              • Traveling

              Comments about Lensbabies Lensbaby 3G Special Effects Lens for Nikon:

              creative ability to fine focus select-ability

              Comment on this review

               
              4.0

              Fun

              By G-man

              from Chicago, IL

              About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Lightweight

              Cons

              • Weak Casing

              Best Uses

              • Portraits
              • Special Effects

              Comments about Lensbabies Lensbaby 3G Special Effects Lens for Nikon:

              This lens is alot of fun to play with. You can get very creative.

              Comment on this review

              (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              So much fun

              By Robert

              from Falls Church, VA

              About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Easily Interchangeable
              • Lightweight

              Cons

              • Couldn't find a Con

              Best Uses

              • Fun & Work
              • Special Effects

              Comments about Lensbabies Lensbaby 3G Special Effects Lens for Nikon:

              I waited way to long to get this baby. It takes some time to get used to it but the possibilities to make some cool and interesting shoots are just great. I like the craftsmanship of the way it is made, well sure it's not one of your super prime lenses but than again it's also not what it is meant for.

              Comment on this review

              (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              Fun & Creative !

              By BILL P.

              from Morris County NJ

              About Me Professional

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Creative
              • Crisp Optics in SWEET SPO
              • Lightweight
              • LOTS of FUN
              • Sharp Focus

              Cons

              • Slight Learning Curve

              Best Uses

              • Creative Photography
              • Flowers
              • Special Effects

              Comments about Lensbabies Lensbaby 3G Special Effects Lens for Nikon:

              The Lensbaby 3G has to be one of the most FUN Lenses I have in my arsenal thus far. If your looking to be creative with some crisp optics you won't go wrong getting one of these. It steps down to a f/2.0 when not using any of the provided f/disks providing plenty of Bokeh (blur) and the Sweet Spot is almost as crisp as a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens. [...] I was VERY happy & Satisfied with the whole experience!

              Comment on this review

              (0 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

               
              1.0

              Virtually unusable

              By EPR

              from Michigan

              About Me Semi-Professional

              Verified Reviewer

              Pros

                Cons

                • Blurry Focus
                • Difficult to Use

                Best Uses

                  Comments about Lensbabies Lensbaby 3G Special Effects Lens for Nikon:

                  Some warnings about his product. On Nikon mount camera can't set exposure, must be all manual. The smaller aperature rings (such as F8) don't allow much light though so they are very hard to use. You most likely won't get many pictures in focus. Might be OK for flowers where you can fine tune the focus but in general not usable for event photography.

                  Comment on this review

                  (6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

                   
                  5.0

                  Amazing

                  By Terry E. Toller

                  from Sacramento, CA USA

                  Comments about Lensbabies Lensbaby 3G Special Effects Lens for Nikon:

                  I have been a photojournalist for over 34 years. I have always appreciated SHARP lenses... This lensbabies is amazing! The best photographic invention since photoshop. It gives me an edge over my competition to create interesting images using very selective focus. I am very happy I bought this amazing little lens.

                  Comment on this review

                  Displaying reviews 1-10

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                  Lenses & Lens Attachments

                  Lensbaby -  Wide Angle/Telephoto Kit for Lensbaby
                  • Price: $87.17
                   

                  What's in the Box

                  Lensbaby Lensbaby 3G Special Effects Lens for Nikon Lens Mount
                  • Metal Lens Cap
                  • Aperture Discs
                  • Disc Removal Tool
                  • 1-Year Warranty
                   
                   
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