Lensbaby Muse Special Effects SLR Lens with Plastic Optic
-
Discontinued
Availabillty Details
CloseThis item has been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer available.
This item has been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer available.
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(based on 13 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
92%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Lightweight (11)
- Easily interchangeable (6)
- Consistent output (5)
- Strong construction (3)
Cons
- Blurry focus (3)
- Poor in low light (3)
Best Uses
- Weddings (5)
- Landscape/scenery (4)
- Macro photography (4)
- Wildlife photos (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Pro photographer (4), Semi-pro photographer (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (3)
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.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 13 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-13
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
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
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
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Displaying reviews 1-13
Lenses & Lens Attachments
- Price: $39.95
Cases & Wraps
- Price: $17.95
Care & Cleaning
- Price: $4.99
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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