Reminiscent of classic 20th century lenses, the Nikon F 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 FX 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
- F-Mount Lens/FX 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 Nikon F 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 FX 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 FX format sensors as well as DX format sensors, where it will provide an 84mm 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.
Black all-metal lens barrel with engraved aperture and focus markings.
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.
Manual exposure control requires stop-down metering and manual setting of the aperture.
Manual focus design with a smooth, dampened focusing movement is complemented by engraved focus distance indicators.
UPC: 850366006051
Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6Specs
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Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Reviews
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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
I shoot a Nikon F2AS, the last fully mechanical F ...
I shoot a Nikon F2AS, the last fully mechanical F series film camera Nikon made. Since this is a manual lens with an F mount, would it work on this camera? (The camera does have a built-in light meter which obviously would not couple with this lens, but I seldom use that anyway and it is not a consideration for me.)
As the Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Lens for Nikon F is a fully manual lens and has a built-in aperture ring, it would be compatible for use with the Nikon F2AS 35mm film SLR camera.
Date published: 2019-10-07
Is there a way to use the Nikon D90 meter with ...
Is there a way to use the Nikon D90 meter with the Lensbaby 56mm velvet?
No, there is not. According to page 230 of the Nikon D90 User Manual under "Compatible Non-CPU Lenses," Nikon states that the lens may only be used when the camera is in mode [M]. Selecting another mode disables the shutter release. Aperture must be adjusted manually via the lens aperture ring, and the camera's autofocus system, metering, electronic analog exposure display, depth-of-field preview and i-TTL flash control cannot be used. As such, I would recommend to first take a picture with your desired settings, then review the image on the camera's rear LCD screen, then adjust your camera settings based on your image review and capture another image (then repeat as necessary).
Date published: 2021-07-07
When you put a filter on the lens does the lens ...
When you put a filter on the lens does the lens cap still fit on?
Yes, if you get an additional clip on lens cap that is 62mm. Click the link below to view the cap;
https://bhpho.to/3eTtsSW
Date published: 2020-07-23
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
For those that own one, how would you ...
For those that own one, how would you characterize the overall build quality (fit and finish) of this lens?
This lens seems to be well made, better than some other Lensbaby lenses. It resembles a regular lens, with smooth focusing and a good aperture ring.
Date published: 2019-07-29
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
Where is the Limited Ed made?
Where is the Limited Ed made?
Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Limited Edition Lens for Canon EF (Black with Copper Accents) country of origin is USA.
Date published: 2023-02-17