A unique short telephoto with distinct classic appeal, the black Canon RF-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.
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Key Features
- RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16
- Soft Glowing Effect at Wide Apertures
- Inspired by Classic Portrait Lenses
A unique short telephoto with distinct classic appeal, the black Canon RF-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.
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Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Overview
Short telephoto portrait-length lens is designed for full-frame Canon RF-mount mirrorless cameras.
Bright f/1.8 maximum aperture affords greater control over depth of field for working with shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques, and also benefits working in low-light conditions.
Inspired by classic portrait lenses from the mid-20th century, this lens is designed to produce an ethereal glowing quality with soft, smooth tonality that is well-suited to portraiture.
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 working distance of 9.5" along with a 1:2 reproduction ratio suits working with close-up subjects.
Manual focus design with a smooth, dampened focusing movement is complemented by engraved focus distance indicators.
A 12-blade diaphragm contributes to a smooth bokeh quality that is ideal for selective focus imagery.
UPC: 858285007548
Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Specs
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Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Reviews
LOVE THE LENSBABY
By Sally
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2025-03-17
I have wanted a lensbaby velvet for my Sony Alpha for a couple of years now. I am so glad I decided to gift this to myself. It takes extraordinarily dreamy pictures. I can't wait to explore what it can do further.
Fun but not pro
By MM
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2024-11-12
I bought this lens for my personal work rather than my pro work. With that in mind it is very easy to get a dreamy look wide open, not the greatest optical quality but I was not expecting that anyway. Just a fun lens to do personal projects with.
See any errors on this page?
I have zero experience with the Lensbaby line... ...
I have zero experience with the Lensbaby line... input please on if you'd think it would work well for portraits?
It is a matter of opinion but I find the Lensbaby lenses are best used as a more experimental lens. It is manual focus. For shooting portraits professionally, I would recommend an auto focus Canon 85mm as a main lens and consider a Lensbaby as a secondary experimental lens.
Date published: 2023-02-06
Does this lens come with a lens hood?
Does this lens come with a lens hood?
Just received mine today. It comes with a screw-on lens hood.
Date published: 2022-06-21
Hi all, Is there any difference between the ...
Hi all, Is there any difference between the "Nikon Z 50mm Base" version and the "Nikon Z 50mm With Copper Ring" version?
The difference between the Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Lens with Copper Rings (Nikon Z) and the Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Lens (Nikon Z, Black) is cosmetic; optically, the lenses are the same.
Date published: 2024-12-18
Will this lens fit a nikon Z fs, do i need an ...
Will this lens fit a nikon Z fs, do i need an extra adaptor?
The Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Nikon Z (Black) fits direct on to a Nikon Zfc Mirrorless Camera.
Date published: 2023-02-06
This lens will work on the Nikon Z5?
This lens will work on the Nikon Z5?
Yes, the Lensbaby Velvet 85 mm 1.8 is compatible with the Nikon Z5.
Date published: 2023-02-06
Where is this lens manufactured?
Where is this lens manufactured?
This lens is manufactured in China.
Date published: 2024-11-28
What size filter thread for the Velvet 85mm?
What size filter thread for the Velvet 85mm?
Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Lens with Copper Rings (Micro Four Thirds, Black) has front thread of 67mm for filters and caps.
Date published: 2023-11-22
My in camera vibration reduction is not working ...
My in camera vibration reduction is not working with my old Lensbaby Velvet 56. I am using the FTZ adaptor. Will the Velvet 85 work so I can turn on my VR in my Nikon Z7ii camera?
Non-CPU lenses require manual input of lens data (Focal length & Max Aperture) to enable VR stabilization on the Z7 II camera. You also check the camera menu under Photo Shooting Menu; Vibration--you can set the VR to Normal, Sport, or Off.
Date published: 2024-11-09