The Lensbaby Composer Pro With Double Glass Optic (For Canon EF) is part of the Lensbaby series of SLR lenses, and offers the same spectacular special-effect results. The refined and enhanced Composer Pro has an all-metal ball that gives you a more exact, smooth focus and tilt control and will retain its position after being bent, which makes it easy to use even with one hand. Simply tilt the lens to a desired angle and then focus with a traditional barrel focusing ring.
The Double Glass Optic is a hybrid between a bellows camera and a tilt-shift camera. It allows for selective focusing with SLR cameras. It will bring one area of a photo into sharp focus, surrounded by gradually increasing blur. Effects like blurring, glowing highlights, and subtle, prismatic color distortions can all be achieved without software manipulations. The lens can be bent off-center in any direction for different results.
The Composer Pro is compatible with the Optic Swap System--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.
The Composer Pro 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.
| Type | Manual focus, low dispersion, high refractive index, multi-coated optical glass doublet |
| Focal Length | 50mm |
| Filter Size | 37mm |
| f/Stop Range | f/2-f/22 |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 18" for Double Glass Optic used with Composer Pro |
| Tilt | Composer Pro: 0-17.5° |
| Length | Double Glass Optic: 1.37" (3.5 cm) |
| Maximum Diameter | Double Glass Optic: 1.75" (4.44 cm) |
| Weight | Not specified by manufacturer |
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Most Liked Positive Review
Fun Specialty Lens
I bought this product because I love the effect of tilt-shift lenses. While it's not exactly the same thing, you still get a similar, whimsical feel for a lot less money.
There's ...Read complete review
I bought this product because I love the effect of tilt-shift lenses. While it's not exactly the same thing, you still get a similar, whimsical feel for a lot less money.
There's definitely a learning curve involved, but it's not difficult. It's also not a shoot-from-the-hip lens, however. It's all manual focus, so you do have to spend some time composing your sweet spot and getting it in focus. I personally had some trouble with this, but I'm also not used to having to manual focus.
You should also keep in mind that this lens is idea for situations with plenty of light, as smaller aperture are the most functional way to get what you want out of this lens.
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Most Liked Negative Review
Not in love
I'm a pro photographer who thought I'd get a fun lens for creative portraiture with bride and grooms and seniors. Problem is, I'm already in love with the Canon T/S lenses and this ...Read complete review
I'm a pro photographer who thought I'd get a fun lens for creative portraiture with bride and grooms and seniors. Problem is, I'm already in love with the Canon T/S lenses and this is no substitute. If you want a T/S lens, then save up. If you like the toy look of the composer - knock yourself out. Just remember - this is no tilt shift. It's really difficult to find the sweet spot... make sure you zoom in on your thumbnail or you might be surprised when you get home. That said, my friend loves this lens.
Reviewed by 13 customers
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Comments about Lensbaby Composer Pro With Double Glass Optic (For Canon EF):
I got this lens a couple of weeks ago and have been using it at every shoot ever since! It takes a while to get used to it (I am STILL getting used to it) but it produces stunning images! I think it is a great lens - especially considered how inexpensive it is.
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Comments about Lensbaby Composer Pro With Double Glass Optic (For Canon EF):
Great for portrait photography as well as making unique landscape shots. It is totally manual which is a good thing otherwise it would be thousands of dollars. It will take you an hour to get rolling and once you start playing with it you will be like me looking for more Lens Baby products.
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Comments about Lensbaby Composer Pro With Double Glass Optic (For Canon EF):
Really neat way to stretch your creativity.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Pro With Double Glass Optic (For Canon EF):
I bought this product because I love the effect of tilt-shift lenses. While it's not exactly the same thing, you still get a similar, whimsical feel for a lot less money.
There's definitely a learning curve involved, but it's not difficult. It's also not a shoot-from-the-hip lens, however. It's all manual focus, so you do have to spend some time composing your sweet spot and getting it in focus. I personally had some trouble with this, but I'm also not used to having to manual focus.
You should also keep in mind that this lens is idea for situations with plenty of light, as smaller aperture are the most functional way to get what you want out of this lens.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Pro With Double Glass Optic (For Canon EF):
It's a little difficult to get the sweet spot where you want it. I've found that it's not focused on what I think it's focused on. So I make tiny adjustments and take several in the hopes that one will turn out right. Fantastic, dreamy images.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Pro With Double Glass Optic (For Canon EF):
I'm a pro photographer who thought I'd get a fun lens for creative portraiture with bride and grooms and seniors. Problem is, I'm already in love with the Canon T/S lenses and this is no substitute. If you want a T/S lens, then save up. If you like the toy look of the composer - knock yourself out. Just remember - this is no tilt shift. It's really difficult to find the sweet spot... make sure you zoom in on your thumbnail or you might be surprised when you get home. That said, my friend loves this lens.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Pro With Double Glass Optic (For Canon EF):
Lets be clear if you love auto focus and sharp images this lens is not for you. But if you love being creative, creating unique looks and doing things a little differently you will love this lens. Also if your familiar with other lens baby products, you will find this the easiest and most versatile of their line.
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Comments about Lensbaby Composer Pro With Double Glass Optic (For Canon EF):
I purchased the Lensbaby Composer Pro for my senior and portrait work. I have been able to use this lens on my past two senior sessions and so far have been very pleased. I would recommend playing with the lens a bit to understand the nature of it, but once you have that down, images turn out great. It is a fully manual lens.
Pros- love the sweet spot, and the tack sharpness of it. Great way to introduce some creative flair to portraiture work, lightweight, smooth socket when tilting the lens.
Cons- so far I haven't found any. It can be frustrating in the beginning to nail your sharpness, but just practice and take extra frames adjusting as needed!
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Comments about Lensbaby Composer Pro With Double Glass Optic (For Canon EF):
Feels nicer than the original version. 50mm is a bit long for cropped sensors and makes framing a little difficult, especially in tight spaces. [...]. Makes very unique and interesting photos.
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Comments about Lensbaby Composer Pro With Double Glass Optic (For Canon EF):
I changed cameras and needed a lensbaby but was not in a rush. I am very happy I waited as this new lens is a very good upgrade. The metal ball is very smooth and accurate and not much more money!
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Comments about Lensbaby Composer Pro With Double Glass Optic (For Canon EF):
I shoot portraits with the Canon 85 1.2 II but thought I'd add this just for fun at the end of shoots and for random things just to change things up. It's a lot of fun for creative shots and helps me think outside the box. For the price, it's an easy deal. The only downside is, like previous versions of the lens, you have to physically change out the disc to change your aperture (which I'm sometimes too lazy to do). The added locking of the lens after you hit your focus is a great addition to previous versions. If you use it for what it's meant to be (a fun tool/toy for creativity, not to try to replace standard lenses), it's a great lens and a lot of fun.
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Pro With Double Glass Optic (For Canon EF):
If you need something to help you break out of the photo blues, give the Lensbaby Composer a try. Just a great and inexpensive way to take unique shots. This has been amazing for macro shots of flowers and great for streetscapes when you want to focus on a limited subject. There is a small learning curve to be able to adjust the sweet spot around the frame and changing the aperatures can be frustrating at times. I will say that the pros of this lens are much greater than any of the cons.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Lensbaby Composer Pro With Double Glass Optic (For Canon EF):
The Lensbaby Pro Composer offers a very unique way to add a splash of creativity to every photo shoot. I've used this in portrait photography, landscape, wildlife, and architectural, at a professional level. It's simple and fun to use with a total learning curve of 30-45 minutes. Swapping lenses may take some getting used to, and is best to practice it a few times inside your house, instead of deciding to learn while on the side of a mountain with 40km/h winds gusting by you like I did.
The additional lenses and attachments push the envelope even further to allow an incredible array of choices for artistic expression; and you can almost pick them all up for less than the cost of a single entry level Canon 'L' lens.
The Pro Composer has the updated features of a metal swivel ball, which is smoother than its plastic counterpart; and a marvelous new focus ring which just feels fantastic to use. If you're considering a Lensbaby, just buy it already! You won't regret it.
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