The method of shooting video on DSLRs opened up countless new possibilities by removing limitations imposed in the past by things such as cost and camera size. Another great advantage is the increased variety of available lenses to shoot on, and standard still photography lenses are only the beginning. Specialty lenses allow one to create amazing new effects that are unique and original. Lensbaby is a manufacturer of such lenses, and with their cool fully-controllable tilt-shift features, focus styles and creative apertures combined with the interchangeable, modular nature of the lenses, the possibility are virtually endless. Check out our in-depth video and read on to learn more.
USES IN FILMMAKING
While the Lensbaby lenses are useful photographer’s tools, they also open up a slew of new looks for the filmmaker when. One neat attribute of tilt-shift lenses is their ability to create the illusion of a model-sized world. The combination of the shallow depth of field with wide, distant shots it what creates this illusion, and has been used, for example, to to show our world through a giant’s eyes. Another use for the soft, warped image that can result from tilting the lens is to show the world from the perspective of a character who is disoriented or unfocused. The camera angle could be POV or can be turned on the subject to lend the sense of disorientation to the audience. The creative apertures add effects that can’t easily be created in post, by actually transforming the bokeh in the image to unique shapes.
LENSES
At the most basic level, the main line consists of tilt-shift style lenses with varying degrees of control over the image. The most basic lens offered is called the Muse. The accordion-style lens casing can be manipulated into all sorts of lengths and angles to control focus and the location of the “sweet spot” – the area of the image that is in focus. The next step up is the Composer which allows you to- well- compose your image. When adjusted the lens will stay in the configuration of your choice, and focus can be adjusted separately. And there is the Control Freak, which offers the best of both worlds. It features the accordion style lens but can lock into place and then be adjusted in minute increments with three threaded stud attachments, as well as offering separate focus adjustment. Also offered by Lensbaby is the Scout, a 12mm fisheye lens (minus a tilt-shift feature).
OPTICS
Once you have chosen a lens to work with, you then can vary your image by choosing different optics. Choices include the plastic optic for a dreamy, saturated image, the single glass optic for a “vintage”-looking image, or the double glass optic for a sharper, clearer image. These lenses are a 35mm equivalent of a 50mm lens. Additionally you can choose from the Sweet 35 optic with built-in adjustable aperture ring (35mm equivalent), the Edge 80 for a slice of extra-sharp focus, the pinhole/zone plate optic offering f/177 pinhole f/19 zone plate for soft focus, gauzy images, the soft focus optic for edge-to-edge softness, or the fisheye optic for a 12mm angle with tilt-shift capabilities.
ACCESSORIES
Lastly you can choose an aperture for your optic. While the Sweet 35 and the Edge 80 offer built-in apertures, the other optics accept aperture rings. This includes rings ranging from the standard f/4 to f/22 (included when you purchase an optic), or special creative aperture rings. These rings have special shapes – a star for example – and any points of light in your image will take on that shape. This will be more noticeable the smaller the points of light are – such as with Christmas lights. When points of light in your shot are slightly out of focus, the effect would be that of starts floating in space. The more out-of-focus the points of light are, the larger the shape.
If you need a wider or longer shot, there are also optional lens adapters to change the effective length of your lens. Wide or telephoto adapters can be attached directly to the optic to effectively turn a 50mm lens into an 80mm with the 1.6x telephoto adapter, or into a 30mm with the .6x wide-angle adapter. You can also get the macro adapter kit for ultra-closeup photography.
This overview should give you a good idea of how to choose and utilize these fun, versatile creative effects lenses to inspire and enable you to express your artistic vision in new ways.
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