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Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Lens for Sony E (Black)

BH #LELBV56BX • MFR #LBV56BX
Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Lens for Sony E (Black)
Key Features
  • E-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 black Sony E 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 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

Reminiscent of classic 20th century lenses, the black Sony E 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 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.

Portrait-length 56mm focal length is compatible with Sony E mount cameras with full-frame format sensors as well as APS-C 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.
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 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: 850366006099

Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6Specs

Key Specs
Focal Length
56mm
Maximum Aperture
f/1.6
Lens Mount
Sony E
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
62 mm (Front)
Maximum Aperture
f/1.6
Minimum Aperture
f/16
Lens Mount
Sony E
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Minimum Focus Distance
5" / 12.7 cm
Maximum Magnification
0.5x
Optical Design
4 Elements in 3 Groups
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
62 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)
2.8 x 3.7" / 72 x 95 mm
Weight
14.1 oz / 400 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
1.225 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
5.7 x 4.2 x 4.1"

Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Reviews

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Is this lens compatible with aps-c? Would it mean ...

Is this lens compatible with aps-c? Would it mean it is equivalent to an 84mm macro lens?
Asked by: Melissa
Yes and it works great.
Answered by: Tom
Date published: 2020-06-19

question

Can I use this on my Sony a7? Will I have autofocus?
Asked by: Anonymous
The Lensbaby Velvet is manual focus only.
Answered by: Dana G.
Date published: 2018-08-26

question

Auto or manual f stops ?
Asked by: Anonymous
The Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Lens for Sony E is fully manual and would have a manual aperture ring for setting the lens' desired f-stop setting.
Answered by: Manzell L.
Date published: 2018-08-26

can you use this lens on an apsc format pentax?

can you use this lens on an apsc format pentax?
Asked by: Bob
The Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Lens for Pentax K (Black) is compatible with both full frame and cropped sensor cameras.
Answered by: Lawrence C
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.
Asked by: Roger A.
Both cameras will produce equally good images.
Answered by: Rob
Date published: 2020-08-18

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?
Asked by: Bryce
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.
Answered by: Lee
Date published: 2019-07-29

question

What is the difference between the silver and the black Lensbaby Velvet 56?
Asked by: Caroline R.
Other than the color, the silver finish has etched markings on the lens barrel.
Answered by: Nicolaas S.
Date published: 2018-08-26

Where is the Limited Ed made?

Where is the Limited Ed made?
Asked by: DENN
Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Limited Edition Lens for Canon EF (Black with Copper Accents) country of origin is USA.
Answered by: Daniel C
Date published: 2023-02-17
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