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Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic

  • No Longer Available
  • B&H # LEMPCEF
  • Mfr# LBMPC

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  • For Canon EF Digital Cameras

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The Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic will add a unique perspective to the world of SLR photography. The Lensbaby lens 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, and this version of the Muse comes supplied with the Plastic Optic, which provides the softest dreamiest look, with photos that are very ethereal, with abundant chromatic aberration. Also available optionally are the Double Glass for a sharp and crisp 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.
Flexible, tube based, manual compression focusing system with fluid and continuous tilt to move the sharp area of focus.
Interchangeable optics feature curved field of focus, giving you a unique way to control depth of field.
Images have one circular sharp area with surrounding areas dropping off into a beautiful blur.
Features the Lensbaby Optic Swap System which includes several different optics each of which provides a different image quality.
Focus Type Manual Compression
f/Stop Range f/2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8
Aperture Interchangeable levitating aperture disks
Focal Length Approx. 50mm
Minimum Focus Distance Approx. 18" (45.72cm) without expansion
Approx. 9" (22.86cm) when collar is pushed away from the lens
Focus Distance Maximum: Infinity
Filter Size 37mm
Lens Elements/Groups Plastic optics
Height 2.0" (5.08cm)
Width 2.75" (6.98cm)
Weight 3.6 oz (102.05g)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
LensbabyMuse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic
 
4.4

(based on 14 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (9)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

93%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Lightweight (12)
  • Easily interchangeable (7)
  • Consistent output (5)
  • Strong construction (3)

Cons

  • Blurry focus (3)
  • Poor in low light (3)

Best Uses

  • Landscape/scenery (5)
  • Macro photography (5)
  • Weddings (5)
  • Wildlife photos (4)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Pro photographer (4), Semi-pro photographer (3)
    • Was this a gift?:
    • No (4)

Most Liked Positive Review

 

SO MUCH FUN!

I am an advanced photo enthusiast, a tech-fanatic through and through. This little guy is awesome. The experience is what makes the product and it begins when you open the box. Fantastic packaging!...Read complete review

I am an advanced photo enthusiast, a tech-fanatic through and through. This little guy is awesome. The experience is what makes the product and it begins when you open the box. Fantastic packaging!

It takes a little bit to get used to the focus, but stick with it because you'll end up with some fantastic photos.

Not for the person who prefers sharp crisp images! I would recommend to the more artistic/creative or someone who wishes to experiment.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

 

It's cool an all, but...

It's a really cool lens, and interesting way to look at photography, but after a week of use and some time with the other lensbabies, I wish I had save the extra $50 and...Read complete review

It's a really cool lens, and interesting way to look at photography, but after a week of use and some time with the other lensbabies, I wish I had save the extra $50 and gotten the glass optic rather than the plastic. Your pictures come out with such a soft focus that it's starts to look you just have a really shaky hand. Lensbabies are great! Just not this lensbaby.

Reviewed by 14 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-14

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5.0

great little lens

By Danny

from baltimore MD

About Me Photography Student

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Easily Interchangeable
  • Lightweight

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Landscape/Scenery
    • Macro Photography
    • Wildlife Photos

    Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic:

    this lens really give you more freedom then i thing the more expensive lensbabys would.

    • Was this a gift?:
    • No

    Share this review

     
    5.0

    Great Fun

    By Strems

    from Toronto, ON, CA

    About Me Casual Photographer

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Lightweight
    • Strong Construction

    Cons

    • Poor in Low Light

    Best Uses

    • Macro Photography
    • Wildlife Photos

    Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic:

    Fun to use. Interesting results everytime.

    • Was this a gift?:
    • No

    Share this review

    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Fun little toy

    By nat

    from seattle, wa

    About Me Semi-pro Photographer

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Easily Interchangeable
    • Lightweight

    Cons

      Best Uses

        Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic:

        The lensbaby products are spot on every time I've gotten a chance to use them. Though this is the first item I've owned, I look forward to purchasing further optics to switch out--particularly the glass. I love the fact that there is less control so I can take a more fluid and intuitive approach to image making and the plastic optic fun. I do love my holga, but having a "plastic" camera on my 5D Mark 2 blends all the convenience of digital with all the fun of toy cameras.

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No

        Share this review

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

         
        2.0

        It's cool an all, but...

        By Sly1

        from LA, CA

        About Me Semi-pro Photographer

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Consistent Output
        • Lightweight

        Cons

        • Blurry Focus

        Best Uses

        • Macro Photography

        Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic:

        It's a really cool lens, and interesting way to look at photography, but after a week of use and some time with the other lensbabies, I wish I had save the extra $50 and gotten the glass optic rather than the plastic. Your pictures come out with such a soft focus that it's starts to look you just have a really shaky hand. Lensbabies are great! Just not this lensbaby.

        • Was this a gift?:
        • Yes

        Share this review

         
        5.0

        Amusing Toy

        By Happy Snapper

        from Brisbane, Australia

        About Me Pro Photographer

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Lightweight

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Art
          • Weddings/Events

          Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic:

          After spending some time trying to figure out how to use it best I found it to be quite a nice toy that can keep one amused for hours. While its use is limited I was surprised that it actually can produce reasonable sharp images with a bit of a gorgeous dreamy glow. This purchase was a spur of the moment decision also due to the low price. It has given me the opportunity to explore Lensbabies in general at a low cost. Although this lens is a bit basic it is in my view very good value for money.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Share this review

           
          3.0

          Fun but lacks control

          By JohnnyMac

          from Colorado

          About Me Semi-pro Photographer

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

            Cons

              Best Uses

                Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic:

                You get what you pay for on this one. It works but there's no way to maintain focus because your hands have to be on the lens to use it. I have no doubt that the next most expensive one would be fine - As is this one fot the price.

                Share this review

                 
                5.0

                The Muse

                By the Muser

                from Apalchin, NY

                About Me Pro Photographer

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Consistent Output
                • Durable
                • Easily Interchangeable
                • Lightweight

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Landscape/Scenery
                  • Macro Photography
                  • Weddings/Events

                  Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic:

                  I use this product for totally cool fx and I love it! It takes some getting used to - it's super artsy; if you're bent on accuracy, it will make you crazy. It's a lens that fuels your creative freedom, so just let go and use it!

                  Share this review

                   
                  4.0

                  Perfect way to learn

                  By cc

                  from Ottawa, ON

                  About Me Casual Photographer

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Durable
                  • Lightweight
                  • Strong Construction

                  Cons

                  • Blurry Focus
                  • Poor in Low Light

                  Best Uses

                  • Landscape/Scenery

                  Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic:

                  Love it, The actual Tilt-shift lens is very expensive so this is the perfect tool to decide yes or no on the big purchase. If only you could focus with it, i would use it at all times.

                  Share this review

                   
                  5.0

                  SO MUCH FUN!

                  By Tyson

                  from Ontario, Canada

                  About Me Photo Enthusiast

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Easily Interchangeable
                  • Fun
                  • Lightweight
                  • Rugged
                  • Strong Construction
                  • Unique

                  Cons

                  • Poor in Low Light

                  Best Uses

                  • Landscape/Scenery
                  • Macro Photography
                  • Sports/Action
                  • Weddings/Events
                  • Wildlife Photos

                  Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic:

                  I am an advanced photo enthusiast, a tech-fanatic through and through. This little guy is awesome. The experience is what makes the product and it begins when you open the box. Fantastic packaging!

                  It takes a little bit to get used to the focus, but stick with it because you'll end up with some fantastic photos.

                  Not for the person who prefers sharp crisp images! I would recommend to the more artistic/creative or someone who wishes to experiment.

                  Share this review

                  (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                   
                  4.0

                  I love love love my lensbaby!

                  By C. Shelton

                  from Albuquerque NM

                  About Me Pro Photographer

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Consistent Output
                  • Easily Interchangeable
                  • Fun
                  • Lightweight

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • Landscape/Scenery
                    • Portraits
                    • Weddings/Events
                    • Wildlife Photos

                    Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic:

                    I love taking my lensbaby places I usually go to take pictures cause it allows me to look at the places & the things around me in a new way.

                    The lensbaby however does not do well in low light.

                    Share this review

                     
                    4.0

                    Great for the price

                    By Alexis

                    from San Antonio, TX

                    About Me Pro Photographer

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Consistent Output
                    • Easily Interchangeable
                    • Lightweight

                    Cons

                    • Blurry Focus

                    Best Uses

                    • Weddings/Events

                    Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic:

                    Fun for details, weddings
                    If you want to be creative this is a good lens.

                    Share this review

                    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                     
                    5.0

                    Beautiful

                    By JEasy

                    from Carrollton, GA

                    About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • cheap
                    • Consistent Output
                    • Easily Interchangeable
                    • Easy to use
                    • Lightweight

                    Cons

                      Best Uses

                      • General Use
                      • Landscape Photography

                      Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic:

                      The lens is extremely easy to use. There is no need to buy the composer because this does the same thing. The plastic optic is producing excellent shots. I decided to create a whole photo project with the plastic optic because of the look it consistently produces.

                      Share this review

                      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                       
                      5.0

                      EXCELLENT PRODUCT

                      By mistyskyephotography

                      from Farmington, Maine

                      Verified Buyer

                      Pros

                      • Great effects
                      • Inexpensive
                      • Light

                      Cons

                      • none

                      Best Uses

                      • Great for snow shots

                      Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic:

                      I love this lens. It is terrific. It's basically a soft easy to use, inexpensive tilt shift lens- it gives the same effects as a tilt shift.

                      Share this review

                      (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                       
                      5.0

                      Not yer grandpa's lens

                      By emgee

                      from Seattle

                      Verified Reviewer

                      Pros

                      • Different

                      Cons

                        Best Uses

                        • Get out of a rut

                        Comments about Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic:

                        Its cheap enough to be an impusle buy and different enough to make you rethink your composition.

                        Share this review

                        Displaying reviews 1-14

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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: $14.99
                         

                        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: $21.95
                         

                        Estimated arrival at B&H is xxxx. Your order will only be charged at time of shipment.

                        What's in the Box

                        Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic
                        • Front & Rear Lens Caps
                        • Case with Aperture Discs
                        • Storage Case
                        • 1-Year Warranty
                         
                         
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