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Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount
The Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens is part of the Lensbaby series of SLR lenses, and offers the same spectacular special-effect results. However, the Composer introduces a completely new design. Based on a ball and socket configuration, this version allows for smoother selective focus control.
The Composer will retain its position after being bent, which makes it easy to use even with one hand. Users also no longer have to squeeze the lens to focus. They can simply tilt the lens to a desired angle and then focus with a traditional barrel focusing ring.
A Lensbaby lens is a hybrid between a bellows camera and a tilt-shift camera. It allows for selective focusing with SLR cameras. It will bring one area of a photo into sharp focus, surrounded by gradually increasing blur. Effects like blurring, glowing highlights, and subtle, prismatic color distortions can all be achieved without software manipulations. The lens can be bent off-center in any direction for different results.
The Composer features the Optic Swap System. Lensbaby has developed a line of different "optics" that can be interchanged with the Muse and Composer versions. This provides artists with an almost unlimited variety of looks and styles to capture their unique visions.
The Composer comes supplied with the Double Glass Optic, which provides the sharpest focus in its range. It offers a tack sharp sweet spot, with minimal diffusion at all aperture settings. Also available optionally are the Plastic Optic for an ultra-soft and ethereal look, the Single Glass Optic for that vintage look, or the Pinhole/Zone Plate for softer, dreamier focus images that are equally sharp from edge to edge.
- No electronic communication is possible between the camera and the lens. All operation is strictly manual. Automatic light metering is possible by shooting in aperture priority mode for almost all digital and film SLR camera bodies.
- The lens aperture can be changed by inserting different size aperture discs.
- The Composer features a unique manual focus design which requires more rotation to move the optic as you approach infinity. This makes it easier to focus on objects at intermediate and distant depths than regular manual focus lenses.
| f/Stop Range | 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16 & 22 |
| Focal Length | 50mm |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1.5' (46cm) |
| Filter Size | 37mm |
| Lens Elements/Groups | Double Glass Optic |
| Length | 2.5" (6.3cm) |
| Width | 2.5" (6.3cm) |
| Weight | 5.5 oz (156g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 78 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
95%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Lightweight (63)
- Easily interchangeable (50)
- Strong construction (24)
- Durable (23)
- Nice bokeh (20)
Cons
- Slow focus (9)
- Blurry focus (8)
- Weak casing (6)
- Poor in low light (5)
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (33)
- Macro photography (31)
- Weddings (26)
- Night photography (17)
- Portraits (17)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-pro photographer (27), Photo enthusiast (24), Pro photographer (8), Casual photographer (7), Semi-professional (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (44), Yes (3)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great entertainment
The Composer is just about the funnest thing you can mount on the end of your camera. It is frustrating, goofy, very difficult to focus, and mine focusses infinitely beyond infinity. But I...Read complete review
The Composer is just about the funnest thing you can mount on the end of your camera. It is frustrating, goofy, very difficult to focus, and mine focusses infinitely beyond infinity. But I love it and I don't know of anything else like it on the market. You want to change aperture? Take out the magnet, and pull out the old one and drop in a new one.
I'm a bit immobile right now but I see great artistic potential in this lens. People see shots from it and wonder how the heck I did it. It is so old school, or beyond old school. It is way too expensive, but I can see folks getting one and it never leaving their camera. You can even get blanks to form your own aperture shapes. Bokeh? Well, you cannot complain anymore, you made it. That bokeh concept is now your responsibility. Hearts, diamonds, stars, whatever. As I said, it is too expensive, but worth it too. And there are lots of options (that I haven't gotten, yet) to make the Lensbaby kit even more expensive. Macro attachments, wide angle, short telephoto. Heck, I'll probably wind up with a $500 Lensbaby kit, and I won't even know why. But as I said, it is just simply cool and highly addictive. Try that with a $2000 zoom.
If I was shooting film, I would probably toss it into the garbage sack out of frustration and bitterness. But digital? All I have to do is toss out the bad shots and wonder with the good ones. If you get one, you will take zillions of shots, and you will find some that are magic. I highly recommend it. You will smile!
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Lenbaby has a nice concept
Unfortunately, the concept has been poorly executed. I found the unique lens intriguing, so I purchased one. I would say that it takes practice like so many other reviews, but if you scout...Read complete review
Unfortunately, the concept has been poorly executed. I found the unique lens intriguing, so I purchased one. I would say that it takes practice like so many other reviews, but if you scout the internet for some quality examples of this product you'll find very few (even on the Lensbaby website). Save the money, the lens will work you more than you work the lens.
Reviewed by 78 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
- Night Photography
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
This product was exactly as described and it arrived quickly.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Sports/Action
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
the effects you can achieve with the lensbaby are great, but I would chose the more expensive model (in which you don't need to manually change the aperture rings). Changing those rings is a pain.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Manual Aperture Change
- Manual focus only
- Soft focus
Best Uses
- Portraits
- Video
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
I bought this to experience the extra DOF effect it gives you. I started using it very frequent with children portraits and small objects (without tent). Then I found the additional DOF is very magical in the pictures so I expanded to landscapes but it wasn't as good as portraits.
It is fun, but you can never use it for profisional photography due to the duild of the lens that produce soft pictures all around. But for portraits, the soft pictures help to soften the skin and probably better the soft filters.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
Lots of people would argue that the effects could easily be accomplished with post-processing, but this lens is still great since everything about it is manual. If you like playing with manual aperture and focus and are just looking for some fun, then try out this lens! You use this lens as a gadget, rather than a traditional camera lens where IQ matters most.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Outdoor Portraits
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
The composer is pretty easy to work with, get that sweet spot is so sweet the result are fantastic, a lot of fun to use!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Weak Casing
Best Uses
- Fun
- Portraits
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
It's fun to use kind of hard to get a hang of it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
great to play with awesome affects
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Portrait
- Video
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
It takes a little bit to get used to it and how it works but I am more than pleased with this investment.
It was easy to figure out and use, the apature disc system really isn't as tricky as most people make it out to be, and the double glass optic it comes with it quite amazing.
Definitely just what I needed to kickstart my creativity back up. I even love using this lens for video.
Bottom line: If you love to get creative and have fun with your photos, you will NOT regret a lensbaby.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
I teach journalism and this is a good way to get the students to think outside the box and try for more creative photos for a decent price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Nice effects
Cons
- Difficult to focus
- Difficult to Use
Best Uses
- Effects
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
it's the toy, of course, but the toy with a perfect possibilities for professional usage.
it is a lens relatively complicated in play but a result is impressive ;-)
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
Creativity abounds!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Unique results
Cons
- Fiddly
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
- Night Photography
- Portrait
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
So far, I'm really enjoying the effects this lens produces. Definitely not my everyday lens, but super fun to play with, best if you have time to fiddle. I wish it came with more of a manual, but I have found helpful information online. I do have trouble with lighting on the smaller apertures, but I'm enjoying the learning curve with this thing, and all the fun accessories. The pinhole and macro have been fabulous and I'll try out the fisheye next. I have been loving this lens for portrait. So far, my only complaint is that the system for changing the aperture, while novel, is a pain if you want to switch it up quickly and it would be very easy to lose those little disks if you're not super-careful.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Blurry Focus
Best Uses
- Night Photography
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
I tried this lens for night outdoor photos to make portraits with selective focus. Performed great with Creative Aperture Kit, but very hard to focus manually and locate the sweet spot in low lighting. Also used it for weekend backyard photos.
Right choice for someone who is new to photography and wants to get understanding of what aperture, focus and frame composition is. Don't buy this lens unless you really enjoy experimenting.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
- Rugged
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
- Video
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
Pleasantly surprised with Lensbaby Composer. Great stills photography product and even more fun with video creating effects that can magically transform mood. Please try this product.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Difficult to Clean
- Lens Creep
- Poor in Low Light
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
this lens is more for fun but hope to implement it into my everyday photography. Looking to try new things and get a new view on different locations in the area. Like the Lens so far, have to play with it more to tell you how it all works out.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fun To Use
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Slow Focus
- Time consuming
Best Uses
- Artsy type of shooting
- Macro Photography
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
Useful especially if you want to be full manual in every sense of the word.
This lens is fun to putz around with and play with the settings (apertures).
So far it's been difficult to get the shots I want.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
It creates some images that Photoshop and Lightroom can't...as least for me!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Blurry Focus
- Inconsistent
Best Uses
- Experimentation
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
Supposedly there is a "sweet spot" of focus, but It was difficult to see this sweet spot until I looked at it on my monitor screen, and the spot was not where I wanted it. It was unpredictable which would be fine if you were just playing around with it, but I would never count on this product in a professional setting where consistency, reliability and time are factors. I think there are more precise methods to achieving the same appearance. This product is too expensive for a limited application.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
Cons
- Manuel focus
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
I love special effects and this delivers with little effort. Just put on your camera body and let the fun begin. With the accessories even macro and telephoto options are available.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Night Photography
- Video
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Special Effects SLR Lens - for Canon EF Mount:
I'm having so much fun with this, it's a brand new world!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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What's in the Box
- Front & Rear Lens Caps
- Case with Aperture Discs
- Storage Bag
- 1-Year Warranty
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