A unique short telephoto with distinct classic appeal, the Nikon F-mount Velvet 85mm f/1.8 from Lensbaby produces a mid-20th century-inspired image quality that is well-suited to portraiture. Characterized by a smooth, glowing aesthetic, this lens's softness can be controlled by stopping down in order to produce a range of effects from soft and dreamy to sharper and crunchier at smaller apertures. A 12-blade diaphragm also contributes to the lens's aesthetic, and helps to produce a smooth bokeh quality to suit shallow depth of field imagery. Additionally, the manual focus design affords a working distance of 9.5" with a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:2 to benefit working with close-up subjects.
- F-Mount Lens/FX Format
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16
- Soft Glowing Effect at Wide Apertures
- Inspired by Classic Portrait Lenses
Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Overview
Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Specs
Focal Length | 85mm |
Maximum Aperture | f/1.8 |
Minimum Aperture | f/16 |
Lens Mount | Nikon F |
Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
Minimum Focus Distance | 9.5" / 24.13 cm |
Maximum Magnification | 0.5x |
Macro Reproduction Ratio | 1:2 |
Diaphragm Blades | 12 |
Focus Type | Manual Focus |
Image Stabilization | No |
Filter Size | 67 mm (Front) |
Dimensions (ø x L) | 2.99 x 3.5" / 76 x 89 mm |
Weight | 1.17 lb / 530.1 g |
Package Weight | 1.465 lb |
Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 5.75 x 4.25 x 3.95" |
Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Reviews
Interesting Lens - Unique
I have only used this lens a couple of times and there is definitely a learning curve involved in getting images that I an hoping for. Lens seems to be in good working order and tutorials online are a great help.
Give your images that soft glow
I have been a fan of Lensbaby lenses for years and the Velvet 85 is no exception. This lens gives the entire image a soft pleasing glow - the entire image as this is not a elective focus lens. You dial in that amount of glow with aperture. As you stop down you can get get quite sharp images but the point of the lens is to open up your aperture to the point of soft glow you feel the subject requires. As with all Lensbaby lenses there is a learning curve - don't give up too early. Since the image you are trying to achieve has a soft glow, optimal focus can be tricky to achieve with this manual focus lens. I am using it on a Canon R5. Focus peaking on mirrorless camera really helps with focusing. It's still early days for me but I am really enjoying shooting with this lens. You can dial in the glow effect from almost non existent to full throttle at f1.8. This is a substantial lens so be prepared to carry some weight but I have not found this to be an issue. Loving the velvet glow.
I'm in love with this lens!
This is my first Lensbaby lens and I'm in love! I've been into photography my entire life, starting with film in my childhood and switching to digital in 2005. I've done portraits, macro and landscapes. There has just seemed to be a missing piece in my photography. I've found it in Lensbaby. The creativity this lens opens up is freeing and inspiring. The way this lens captures light is breathtaking! Wide open this lens creates unique, soft and ethereal images that you can't get with other lenses or in post processing. Stop down and this lens is extremely sharp! I only wish I would have discovered Lensbaby sooner in my photographic career. I'm already trying to decide what my Lensbaby lens will be. I'm hooked!
Dreamy
A bit of a one-trick pony, but it's a nice trick-dreamy portraits and closeups.
SUPER LENS and SERVICE FROM B&H
I received the lens faster than I had expected and am thrilled with its performance! Better than I had hoped considering some of the reviews I had read regarding it being difficult to focus. REMEMBER: It's an all MANUAL lens and requires patience to use it properly. If you remember that then you too will be blown away by its capabilities. I also HIGHLY RECOMMEND you purchase the close-up lens set for it for one-to-one and even closer magnification.
Loving it.
Most of my work is portraits and headshots and being able to get a dreamy, soft-focus quality when you shoot wide open to a nice sharp image stopped down some is a total joy.
A Great Macro Flower Lens
Knowing this was a favorite lens of two awesome flower photographers in Anne Belmont and Kathleen Clemons I just had to try this lens. I already had the Lensbaby Velvet 56 but to be honest had not mastered that lens to my satisfaction. I decided to buy the Velvet 85 after spending more time with my Velvet 56. I love the backgrounds that are created by the Velvet 85. I am still in the learning stages of it but from my playing with it I really do love it so far. I am not into portrait photography but this lens can also be used for that. I definitely recommend this lens.
Disappointed
This lens does nothing but produce soft focus on any subject. I can obtain this with any of several lenses that I own. This lens is a waste of money.
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