Reminiscent of classic 20th century lenses, the Canon EF mount Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Lens from Lensbaby produces a uniquely soft, glowing image quality that is well-suited to making expressive and ethereal portraits. The overall softness can be controlled by stopping down the lens while still retaining the smooth tonality of a soft focus lens. Compatible with full-frame image sensors, this slightly longer-than-normal focal length pairs with the fast f/1.6 maximum aperture to excel in difficult lighting and achieve a shallow depth of field with controllable sharpness. Additionally, for increased creative versatility, the lens also offers a 1:2 maximum magnification and a minimum working distance of 5" for macro shooting. Housed within a black metal barrel, this lens also features smooth, dampened manual focus control to further benefit creative flexibility. Consistent with Lensbaby's aim of purveying selective focus capabilities and a unique velvety image quality, the Velvet 56mm f/1.6 is a versatile tool that marries classical looks with contemporary control.
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Key Features
- EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/1.6 to f/16
- Singlet-Doublet-Singlet Optical Design
- Soft Glowing Effect at Wide Apertures
Reminiscent of classic 20th century lenses, the Canon EF mount Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Lens from Lensbaby produces a uniquely soft, glowing image quality that is well-suited to making expressive and ethereal portraits. The overall softness can be controlled by stopping down the lens while still retaining the smooth tonality of a soft focus lens. Compatible with full-frame image sensors, this slightly longer-than-normal focal length pairs with the fast f/1.6 maximum aperture to excel in difficult lighting and achieve a shallow depth of field with controllable sharpness. Additionally, for increased creative versatility, the lens also offers a 1:2 maximum magnification and a minimum working distance of 5" for macro shooting. Housed within a black metal barrel, this lens also features smooth, dampened manual focus control to further benefit creative flexibility. Consistent with Lensbaby's aim of purveying selective focus capabilities and a unique velvety image quality, the Velvet 56mm f/1.6 is a versatile tool that marries classical looks with contemporary control.
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Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Overview
Portrait-length 56mm focal length is compatible with full-frame format sensors as well as APS-C format sensors, where it will provide an 89.6mm equivalent focal length.
Fast f/1.6 maximum aperture offers extensive control over selective focus and shallow depth of field, and also benefits working in difficult lighting conditions.
The unique singlet-doublet-singlet lens design renders imagery with a soft, smooth, and glowing image quality reminiscent of mid-20th century portrait lenses.
Softness can be controlled by stopping-down the lens: when stopped-down to f/16, the image exhibits a smooth quality with greater central sharpness.
A 1:2 maximum magnification ratio and 5" minimum working distance enable working with close-up subjects.
Black all-metal lens barrel with engraved aperture and focus markings.
Manual focus design with a smooth, dampened focusing movement is complemented by engraved focus distance indicators.
Manual exposure control requires stop-down metering and manual setting of the aperture.
UPC: 850366006044
Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Specs
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Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Reviews
Coming up on my 10 year anniversary!
By chris
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2025-01-08
Every now and then, a breakthrough product will emerge and the Lensbaby 56 is one of them! I've been using this lens for 9 years simply because of the SOOC results that require either no or very little editing. My clients are always blown away by the results and it keeps them happy and the referrals keep coming!
An Interesting Quality Lens
By Derek
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-11-08
Manual everything so be prepared, but very versatile. Working with different combinations of aperture and distance from your subject you can create glowing soft portraits (wide aperture) or slightly soft landscapes with just a hint of glow (smaller apertures). Lots of good YouTube videos demonstrate all the uses and help the learning curve. Extremely solidly built.
See any errors on this page?
question
What is the difference between the silver and the black Lensbaby Velvet 56?
Other than the color, the silver finish has etched markings on the lens barrel.
Date published: 2018-08-26
The lens cap does not sit, if a filter is ...
The lens cap does not sit, if a filter is attached to the lens. Since the lens cap does not have any clamping mechanism, is there any way to keep the lens cap on?
I am using this one https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1405848-REG/hoya_a_nxtpl62uv_62mm_nxt_plus_uv.html
Date published: 2022-07-06
Is it adaptable to the Sony XIII or Sony XIV? ...
Is it adaptable to the Sony XIII or Sony XIV? Thanks!
If mounting this lens to a Sony E mount camera, you can use an adapter such as the Vello Canon EF/EF-S Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera Lens Adapter, BH # VELANEXCEFII
https://bhpho.to/2PDQTcd
Date published: 2021-04-06
Would this be compatible with a crop sensor ...
Would this be compatible with a crop sensor camera? Will it still work well for macro/flowers? (Canon 7D Mark ii)
Yes the Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Lens for Canon EF (Black) will work fine on a crop sensor like the Canon 7D II. It is 1:2 magnification. So, not good as one that is 1:1 for macro shots but it can work. If the items are very small it will fill the frame.
Date published: 2023-08-06
What the best lens for photograph coins
What the best lens for photograph coins
Understanding that this is a manual focus lens, I've had excellent results using it to photograph fountain pens. The trick is to get your focus point just right. But its worth the time to set it up: the photos I got using this lens worked extremely well. For coins I think you'd get equally good results.
The key requirements are:
this lens, a good tripod, good lighting, and some patience as you work the focus and aperture for your desired image.
Date published: 2021-03-24
does the barrel move when focusing?
does the barrel move when focusing?
The barrel of this lens does move when manually focusing.
Date published: 2020-08-03
can you use this lens on an apsc format pentax?
can you use this lens on an apsc format pentax?
The Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Lens for Pentax K (Black) is compatible with both full frame and cropped sensor cameras.
Date published: 2022-12-28
I want to buy the Nikon F version so I can use it ...
I want to buy the Nikon F version so I can use it on my Nikon Film cameras, then attach the Lens baby to my fujifilm X-t3 with my vello adapter. Will the lens give its best performance on both cameras? The Vello adapter has no glass-it only adjusts the difference between the sensor and the lens. Nikon F cameras have a greater distance between lens mount and film.
Both cameras will produce equally good images.
Date published: 2020-08-18