Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount

  • Price: $149.95
  • B&H # LEMUCEF
  • Mfr# LBM2C

Product Highlights

  • Sharp-Focus Areas with Gradual Blurring
  • Hybrid - Bellows & Tilt-Shift Cameras
  • Accepts Variety of Optics
  • Multi-Coated Optical Glass
  • Manual Focus
  • Pre-installed Double Glass Optic

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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.

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 with many digital and film SLR cameras.
The lens aperture can be changed by inserting different size aperture discs.
The lens tubing is the part of the Muse 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' ahead. To focus on subjects that are between these distances, you have to partly compress the Muse.
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®

by PowerReviews
Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount
 
4.0

(based on 20 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (7)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (7)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (4)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (2)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

89%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Lightweight (17)
  • Easily interchangeable (11)
  • Durable (7)
  • Consistent output (5)
  • Strong construction (4)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Landscape/scenery (11)
    • Macro photography (6)
    • Night photography (4)
    • Special effects (4)
    • Weddings (4)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Semi-pro photographer (6), Pro photographer (5), Photo enthusiast (4), Semi-professional (3)
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No (9)

    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).

    VS

    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

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-20

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    4.0

    Fun at first shot!

    By Casual photographer

    from Quebec

    About Me Photo Enthusiast

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Easy to use

    Cons

    • The tube loosen by cold

    Best Uses

    • Landscape/Scenery
    • Macro Photography

    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.

    • Was this a gift?:
    • Yes

    Share this review

    (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    Not-so user friendly

    By MC3x4

    from Tucson, AZ

    About Me Semi-pro Photographer

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Durable
    • Lightweight
    • Strong Construction

    Cons

    • Difficult to Clean
    • Slow Focus

    Best Uses

    • Macro Photography

    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.

    • Was this a gift?:
    • No

    Share this review

     
    5.0

    Great Lens

    By JrJohnson

    from Austin, TX

    About Me Photo Enthusiast

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Consistent Output
    • Durable
    • Easily Interchangeable
    • Lightweight
    • Rugged
    • Strong Construction

    Cons

      Best Uses

        Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:

        This is an easy to use lens that's built to last.

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No

        Share this review

         
        5.0

        Great little, inexpensive tool.

        By Will from Vacilando

        from Newport, Rhode Island

        About Me Pro Photographer

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Consistent Output
        • Easily Interchangeable
        • Lightweight

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Landscape/Scenery
          • Macro Photography
          • Weddings/Events

          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.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Share this review

           
          5.0

          lots of fun

          By Liz

          from east texas

          About Me Casual Photographer

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Consistent Output
          • Durable
          • Easily Interchangeable
          • Lightweight

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Indoors/Low Light

            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

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Share this review

             
            5.0

            "Muse" is right.

            By Bobby the Indie Filmmaker

            from Phoenix, AZ

            About Me Photo Enthusiast

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Easily Interchangeable
            • Lightweight
            • Unique

            Cons

            • Slow Focus

            Best Uses

            • Landscape/Scenery
            • Sports/Action

            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.

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Share this review

            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

             
            5.0

            great fun!

            By davidrborquez

            from Buenos Aires, Argentina

            About Me Semi-pro Photographer

            Verified Reviewer

            Pros

            • Durable
            • Lightweight
            • Nice Bokeh
            • Strong Construction

            Cons

            • Hard to focus

            Best Uses

            • Creative
            • Indoors/Low Light
            • Landscape/Scenery
            • Macro Photography
            • Night Photography

            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.

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Share this review

             
            5.0

            I would buy this product again

            By Nankey

            from NE PA

            About Me Photo Enthusiast

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Durable
            • Easily Interchangeable
            • Lightweight
            • Nice Bokeh
            • Strong Construction

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Landscape/Scenery
              • Macro Photography

              Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:

              Easy to use, great results

              • Was this a gift?:
              • Yes

              Share this review

              (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

               
              3.0

              Fun to play around with

              By Hollis

              from Atlanta

              About Me Pro Photographer

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Easily Interchangeable
              • Lightweight

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Landscape/Scenery

                Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount:

                Fun to play around with but would not use on a job.

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

                Share this review

                (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                 
                4.0

                It's a great and fun item

                By CHAPIN the amateur

                from Laredo Texas

                About Me Pro Photographer

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Easily Interchangeable

                Cons

                • Blurry Focus

                Best Uses

                • Landscape/Scenery

                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

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

                Share this review

                (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                 
                3.0

                Very Interesting

                By Chris in Austin

                from Texas

                About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                  Cons

                    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.

                      • Was this a gift?:
                      • No

                      Share this review

                      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                       
                      3.0

                      Best bang for the buck!

                      By Neon Mike

                      from Chelmsford, MA

                      About Me Pro Photographer

                      Verified Buyer

                      Pros

                      • Easily Interchangeable
                      • Lightweight
                      • Nice Bokeh

                      Cons

                      • Hard to maintain focus
                      • Tricky to use

                      Best Uses

                      • Indoors/Low Light
                      • Macro Photography
                      • Night Photography
                      • Sports/Action
                      • Weddings/Events

                      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

                      Share this review

                      (3 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

                       
                      3.0

                      Very small area covered

                      By CARedhair

                      from Anaheim, CA

                      About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                      Verified Reviewer

                      Pros

                      • Lightweight

                      Cons

                      • Blurry Focus
                      • Manual Focus

                      Best Uses

                      • Fun stuff
                      • Landscape/Scenery
                      • Night Photography
                      • Portraits

                      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.

                      Share this review

                      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                       
                      4.0

                      SO much fun!!

                      By lensbabybaby

                      from seattle, WA

                      About Me Pro Photographer

                      Verified Buyer

                      Pros

                      • Artistic
                      • Durable
                      • Fun
                      • Lightweight
                      • Sharp Focus

                      Cons

                        Best Uses

                        • Landscape/Scenery
                        • Night Photography
                        • Portraits
                        • Travel
                        • Weddings/Events

                        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!

                        Share this review

                        (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

                         
                        2.0

                        Get The Composer Instead

                        By Michael

                        from Watervliet, NY

                        About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                        • Durable
                        • Easily Interchangeable
                        • Lightweight

                        Cons

                        • Other product is better

                        Best Uses

                        • Landscape/Scenery
                        • Macro
                        • Travel
                        • Weddings/Events

                        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.

                        Share this review

                        (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

                         
                        2.0

                        Get the Composer

                        By Michael

                        from Watervliet, NY

                        About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                        • Easily Interchangeable
                        • Lightweight

                        Cons

                        • Doesn't hold its position

                        Best Uses

                        • Landscape/Scenery
                        • Macro
                        • Portraits

                        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.

                        Share this review

                        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                         
                        4.0

                        So fun!

                        By Kel Ward

                        from Oregon

                        About Me Semi-Professional

                        Pros

                        • Consistent Output
                        • Easily Interchangeable
                        • Lightweight

                        Cons

                          Best Uses

                          • General Use
                          • Landscape Photography
                          • Special Effects

                          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.

                          Share this review

                          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                           
                          4.0

                          DELECTABLE "BABY"

                          By SHANKAR

                          from CHENNAI, INDIA

                          About Me Semi-Professional

                          Verified Buyer

                          Pros

                          • Lightweight

                          Cons

                            Best Uses

                            • Special Effects

                            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.

                            Share this review

                            (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                             
                            5.0

                            Great Product

                            By Gerry

                            from Bellevue, WA

                            About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Consistent Output
                            • Lightweight

                            Cons

                            • Difficult to Clean

                            Best Uses

                            • Special Effects

                            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.

                            Share this review

                            (8 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

                             
                            4.0

                            Using for action sports

                            By vsJackson[@]

                            from Jackson, OH

                            About Me Semi-Professional

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Artistic
                            • Lightweight

                            Cons

                            • Need a steady hand

                            Best Uses

                            • General Use
                            • Special Effects

                            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).

                            Share this review

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                            Lenses & Lens Attachments

                            Lensbaby -  Pinhole/Zone Plate Optic for Lensbaby Composer, Muse, & Control Freak Lenses
                            • Price: $39.95
                             

                            Cases & Wraps

                            Lensbaby -  Custom Case for Lensbaby Composer & Muse Lenses
                            • Price: $13.29
                             

                            Care & Cleaning

                            Pearstone -  Microfiber Cleaning Cloth, 18% Gray (7 x 7.9")
                              • Original: $4.99
                              • Save: $0.50
                            • Price: $4.49
                             

                            Books & Tutorials

                            Lensbaby -  BOOK BENDING YOUR PRSPCTV BY COREY HLZ
                            • Price: $25.95
                             

                            What's in the Box

                            Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Canon EF Mount
                            • Front & Rear Lens Caps
                            • Case with Aperture Discs
                            • Storage Case
                            • 1-Year Warranty
                             
                             
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