Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Nikon F Mount
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 pro cameras. This Lensbaby is not compatible with Nikon D40, D50, D60, D70, D70S, D80, D90, D100, N50, N65, N70, N75, N80, & Fuji S1, S2, and S3. Manual Functions will work for these models.
- 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(based on 10 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
80%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Lightweight (10)
- Easily interchangeable (5)
- Durable (4)
Cons
- Blurry focus (4)
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (6)
- Macro photography (4)
- Weddings (4)
- Special effects (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (3), Semi-pro photographer (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (5)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great!
Fun special effects lens. It is a bit difficult to use with glasses, but if you set your diopter without them it works great.
Fun special effects lens. It is a bit difficult to use with glasses, but if you set your diopter without them it works great.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Lensbaby Muse
I had always wanted a lensbaby. So I decided to finally go ahead and get one. I had originally wanted the control freak. But I wanted to use it for a school project this...Read complete review
I had always wanted a lensbaby. So I decided to finally go ahead and get one. I had originally wanted the control freak. But I wanted to use it for a school project this semester and the lens wasn't out until after the semester was over. I decided to get a lower model until the control freak came out. I started with the Muse, I returned it and ordered the composer, here's why:
If you're going to get into this lens, you might as well get something that's going to be easy to use (especially if your a newbie). Using the muse was easier than it sounds but still not as easy and convenient than the composer. The squeeze and hold to take a photograph just wasn't what I wanted to do for each photo. I got the composer because you can lock the lens in place (which I never do because it usually stays where you put it.) and you can focus with the focusing ring. Much easier, convenient, and more consistent than the muse.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 10 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Blurry Focus
- Tough To Attach
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Nikon F Mount:
Good for artistic, unique photos. Extremely versatile. Slightly annoying to focus sometimes, but still fun to use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Unique
Cons
- Blurry Focus
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Cityscapes
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- people
- Portraits
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Nikon F Mount:
One of the most fun lenses I have ever used. If you read the other comments, you may notice that this lens is difficult to focus etc. I must agree but like the inventor Craig Strong said, 'It's like riding a bicycle. At first its a little tricky but once you get the hang of it, you will be taking photos like no tomorrow.' I find this lens to be very fun. I have used it for a school's semi formal and I have gotten one of my favorite portraits that night using a Lensbaby with a flashgun.
Also, since this is a manual lens (for Nikon users) it does urge you to go and explore your camera.
Lastly, since this lens produces such unique effects (only the tilt-shift lenses have similar effects which cost BIG $$$) I feel this is a great addition to anyone's set.
If anything at least test it out.
HOWEVER!!! If you want to use this lens for long exposures, DO NOT AND I MEAN DO NOT GET THIS VERSION OF THE LENSBABY!!! Go straight for the Composer or the Control Freak, whichever fits your budget more.
My final opinion about this lens is that it is a fun lens and one of my favorite additions to my already large photography set.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Interesting Blurs
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portrait photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Nikon F Mount:
I haven't had a lot of opportunities to use this lens, but so far I am very impressed. In fact, I wasn't sure by the examples on the LensBaby site that the photos would be amazing, but I have to say that they photos I have taken so far have been amazing! I also have the macro attachments which add even another level of amazement. A very good buy...would recommend to anyone.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Weak Casing
Best Uses
- Fun
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Nikon F Mount:
I haven't had any problems with it! It's a lightweight, fun little lens that's great for having some fun!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Night Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Nikon F Mount:
Some people may complain about how you have to use this lens but it is great for someone like me. I love it. It gives you the control that I needed and lets me work how i want. This does not leave me to work with a fixed lens. The lens works for me
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Blurry Focus
- Poor in Low Light
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Nikon F Mount:
It is nice lens to play with it, couse you can do many different style images, I say is a toy becuse creativity and joy will be needed to use it. For artistic photography is ideal... you will never get the exact focus but with practice will be very acurate. I like how easy is to use it and the possibilities to experiment with atachments is endless...
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fun
- Lightweight
- Quick Focus
- Rugged
Cons
- NONE
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Portraits
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Nikon F Mount:
This is just another great tool in bag of tricks with the lensbaby - the sweet spot is super sharp - love it!
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Complicated
- Diffucult to focus
Best Uses
- Special Effects
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Nikon F Mount:
this lens is very complicated to use. inorder to focus it you must use both hand to push and pull the front part of the lens. also you can not use your metering system on your camera
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Hard to focus
Best Uses
- Special Effects
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Nikon F Mount:
I had always wanted a lensbaby. So I decided to finally go ahead and get one. I had originally wanted the control freak. But I wanted to use it for a school project this semester and the lens wasn't out until after the semester was over. I decided to get a lower model until the control freak came out. I started with the Muse, I returned it and ordered the composer, here's why:
If you're going to get into this lens, you might as well get something that's going to be easy to use (especially if your a newbie). Using the muse was easier than it sounds but still not as easy and convenient than the composer. The squeeze and hold to take a photograph just wasn't what I wanted to do for each photo. I got the composer because you can lock the lens in place (which I never do because it usually stays where you put it.) and you can focus with the focusing ring. Much easier, convenient, and more consistent than the muse.
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fun
- Lightweight
Cons
- Blurry Focus
Best Uses
- Special Effects
Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens for Nikon F Mount:
Fun special effects lens. It is a bit difficult to use with glasses, but if you set your diopter without them it works great.
Displaying reviews 1-10
Lenses & Lens Attachments
- Price: $39.95
Cases & Wraps
- Price: $13.29
Care & Cleaning
-
- Original: $4.99
- Save: $0.50
- Price: $4.49
Books & Tutorials
- Price: $25.95
What's in the Box
- Front & Rear Lens Caps
- Case with Aperture Discs
- Storage Case
- 1-Year Warranty
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