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Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Canon EF (Silver)

BH #LEV8518CEFS • MFR #LBV85SEC
Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Canon EF (Silver)
Key Features
  • EF-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 silver Canon EF-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

A unique short telephoto with distinct classic appeal, the silver Canon EF-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.

Short telephoto portrait-length lens is designed for full-frame Canon EF-mount DSLRs, however it can also be used with APS-C models where it provides a 136mm equivalent focal length.
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: 188772000180

Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Specs

Key Specs
Focal Length
85mm
Maximum Aperture
f/1.8
Lens Mount
Canon EF
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
67 mm (Front)
Maximum Aperture
f/1.8
Minimum Aperture
f/16
Lens Mount
Canon EF
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Minimum Focus Distance
9.5" / 24.1 cm
Maximum Magnification
0.5x
Diaphragm Blades
12
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
67 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)
3 x 3.5" / 76 x 89 mm
Weight
1.2 lb / 530.1 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
1.61 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
5.7 x 4.3 x 4"

Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Reviews

Great look!

By Dan
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-07-19

The 85mm does a great job on my Fuji GFX50s II with an adapter. The F.1.8 really allows you to use a high shutter speed making it easy to handhold. At 1.8 through about 4 the lens gives you a smooth, dreamy look. After that it is quite sharp. Nice feel and the Macro feature allows you to get REAL close. Very satisfied with the lens...and as always...with B and H!

Interesting Lens - Unique

By Virginia
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-12-29

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.

A Great Macro Flower Lens

By Nancy
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-09-01

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

By Frank
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2022-08-07

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.

Give your images that soft glow

By Michael
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-08-04

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!

By Pamela
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-08-03

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!

Satisfaction

By Diane
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-04-21

My Lensbaby Velvet is great so was the service. Received very quickley after ordering. Thanatos you

Beautiful effect and excellent quality

By Jack
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-04-17

I am very pleased with the build quality of the lens. But most important, the visual effect you can create with it is awesome.

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Asked by: Robert
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