The Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens is a lens that will add a unique perspective to the world of SLR photography. The Lensbaby is a hybrid between a bellows camera and a tilt-shift camera. It will bring one area of a photo into sharp focus, surrounded by gradually increasing blur. The lens can be compressed, extended, and/or bent off-center in any direction for different results.
The Lensbaby Muse offers 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.
The Muse 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.
This version of the Muse 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 for that vintage look, or the Pinhole/Zone Plate for softer, dreamier focus images that are equally sharp from edge to edge.
| f/Stop Range | 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, & 8 |
| Focal Length | 50mm |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 12" (30cm) |
| Filter Size | 37mm |
| Lens Elements/Groups | Double Glass Optic |
| Length | 2.5" (6.3cm) [adjustable] |
| Width | 2.25" (5.7cm) |
| Weight | 3.7 oz (105g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
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Most Liked Positive Review
Using for action sports
Simple to use and was snapping neat shots around the house in no time. I am trying to use it for basketball which is more challenging, but I'm sure it is possible with some ...Read complete review
Simple to use and was snapping neat shots around the house in no time. I am trying to use it for basketball which is more challenging, but I'm sure it is possible with some practice.
This is a fully manual lens, so there is no focus conformation from the camera and you must use it in the "creative zones" (Tv, Av, or M).
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Most Liked Negative Review
Very small area covered
I had the opportunity to test the fish-eye insert with this Lensbaby at a recent photo show (PMA2010 in Anaheim) with my Canon 5D Mark II. I own a different fisheye that is just...Read complete review
I had the opportunity to test the fish-eye insert with this Lensbaby at a recent photo show (PMA2010 in Anaheim) with my Canon 5D Mark II. I own a different fisheye that is just an extension on top of any other lens. I expected Lensbaby's fisheye to be significantly better than that.
Lensbaby's fisheye is quite good in terms of being able to capture with relative clarity and sharpness in a semi-dark conference hall some moving activity. My problem with the fisheye is the area covered: every picture I took seems to have the top part of the circle cut off while there is extra room on the bottom of the pictures with nothing on it.
I also found a shallower fish-eye like distortion (bulging of the circle) than when I use my cheapo other fish-eye attachment. Furthermore, if you have photo software, you can create a fish-eye approximation quite well and to a variety of depth. Hence I don't recommend this, unless you really have no other alternative.
It is a fun lens, only there are much better ones out there for even less money.
And finally, Lensbaby comes with so many little lens inserts, it is hard to figure out what is what... this is a complex system.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 20 customers
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Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
As an amateur photographer, this lens give me the opportunity to shoot great pictures. It's fun, and really creative. You'll get some surprises using the muse.
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Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
This Lens is a brilliant piece of equipment once you're able to master the manual focus. It's difficult because you have to nearly employ all your fingers to properly set your focus, yet the soft focus one can achieve on the surrounding area can be breathtaking. Changing the diameters is also a bit difficult but once again worth learning. My only complaint is that you can not use this lens on movie mode.
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Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
This is an easy to use lens that's built to last.
Pros
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Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
I haven't put this down since the order arrived. I love the ease of use, it mounts easily and it's just a great fun lens to have around, It really enables you to control the frame to direct the viewers attention to specific parts of the frame. I just have to force myself to remember that I have other lenses and not jut use this all the time.
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Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
I use this mainly for photographing my kids , it is easy and fun to use no complaints
Pros
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Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
I've taken quite a few pictures already with this puppy. It really is a great lens concept. Unique and easy to use (though it takes some getting used to to find that "sweet spot"), I would recommend this to any avid and artistic photographer! Thanks Lensbaby and B&H.
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Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
This is an awesome toy capable of much more than just prism reflections and blurry effects. Because it's absolutely manual and it doesn't keep the position you want, it's a great tool for creative photography (if you want to be capable of re-shoot exactly same thing twice, this is not for you, unless you have some freakishly skilled hands).
Apertures are fun to use - just interchangeable magnetic discs with round holes, you throw one into the lens and it places itself.
Also it's usable without disc apertures but then, focusing turns really tricky (...or fun)
For the people who doesn't know, bigger apertures give more blur.
That is a main concern with this lens, because sometimes focusing gets time consuming with apertures of 2.0 so, in low light conditions, you may prefer to use a sharper aperture of 5.6 or 8 and make a longer exposition.
I would not use it in a job for two reasons:
Re-take a photo is impossible
Focused areas are narrow and there's a big chance of reflections.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
Easy to use, great results
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
Fun to play around with but would not use on a job.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
I used for still photo in studio and close up faces models.
So easy to use and cheap.
HD do not expect from this item
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
If this is the look you want, then this lens is pretty cool... but I don't think it's for everybody.
Pros
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Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
I didn't have the extra money to get the composer so after comparing the two and seeing that I could buy the extra aperature discs seperately I went with the muse. It's tricky having to hold the lens in position and can sometimes be frustrating to keep the sweet spot where you want it. For the money it's worth the price. If you can afford the composer though, get it! LOL
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
I had the opportunity to test the fish-eye insert with this Lensbaby at a recent photo show (PMA2010 in Anaheim) with my Canon 5D Mark II. I own a different fisheye that is just an extension on top of any other lens. I expected Lensbaby's fisheye to be significantly better than that.
Lensbaby's fisheye is quite good in terms of being able to capture with relative clarity and sharpness in a semi-dark conference hall some moving activity. My problem with the fisheye is the area covered: every picture I took seems to have the top part of the circle cut off while there is extra room on the bottom of the pictures with nothing on it.
I also found a shallower fish-eye like distortion (bulging of the circle) than when I use my cheapo other fish-eye attachment. Furthermore, if you have photo software, you can create a fish-eye approximation quite well and to a variety of depth. Hence I don't recommend this, unless you really have no other alternative.
It is a fun lens, only there are much better ones out there for even less money.
And finally, Lensbaby comes with so many little lens inserts, it is hard to figure out what is what... this is a complex system.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
The only reason I didn't give this baby 5 stars is because I wish the manual explained a little more about how to use the drop-in apertures. I haven't quite figured out the difference between any of them so I just leave in the f4 and it seems to do just fine. This lensbaby is so much fun! I decided when I bought it to go with the lesser Muse over the Composer and I'm not sorry I did. It is fantastic. If you're feeling stale or uninspired, just grab this bad boy and shoot off a couple frames. It'll keep you going for hours!
Pros
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Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
The Lensbaby system is great! However, the Muse does not stay in place when you let go of it. It moves back to its neutral position. This makes reproducing a shot impossible. The Composer is highly recommended. Its ball joint design allows the user to let go of the lens and it stays where it is put. The Composer even has a focus ring.
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Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
The Lensbaby concept is fantastic. However the Muse does not hold its position. When you let go of the lens it moves back to its neutral position. For me, this is a big problem. Just holding it in place during a shot is difficult.
Spend a little more and get the Composer. Its ball-joint design holds the lens at the angle you move it to AND has a focus ring.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
I have a lot of fun using this lens. I find that it helps me see 'every day items' differently. It does take some practice to get the fucusing down, but once you do it's pretty simple.
Pros
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Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
CAN GET FANTASTIC RESULTS WITH A LITTLE PRACTICE. COMPACT AND USE. EVEN FIRST TRIES WERE INTERESTING.
CAME WELL PACKED AND BECAUSE IT IS COMPACT FITS IN TO THE CARRY BAG. SUGGEST A HARD CASE THOUGH.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
I found that this lens is a lot easier to use than it seems. Once you figure out the details, like focusing on near objects or how to use the different apertures, the pictures are great. Just follow the instructions on where to put the fingers for best control.
I can't wait to go on my camping vacation and try landscapes, outdoor portraits and some nature close ups.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:
Simple to use and was snapping neat shots around the house in no time. I am trying to use it for basketball which is more challenging, but I'm sure it is possible with some practice.
This is a fully manual lens, so there is no focus conformation from the camera and you must use it in the "creative zones" (Tv, Av, or M).
Displaying reviews 1-20