Lensbaby 3G Review

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Introduction

July 2007

Lensbaby 3G is the third generation selective focus Single Lens-Reflex lens from lensbabies. It has gone through major upgrades from the 2.0 version.
New features include: three focusing rails that emerge from the camera mount and pass through the focusing collar. A trigger button on the focusing collar releases three pins that engage the focusing rails and lock Lensbaby 3G in a bent position. Once Lensbaby 3G is locked into place, additional fine focus can be achieved by turning the barrel focusing ring, which moves the optic in and out like a normal manual focus lens. Also, in the locked position, you can make small adjustments to the placement of the sweet spot of focus by turning any combination of the three focusing rails. Lensbaby 3G features the same low dispersion, high refractive index, multi-coated optical glass doublet and the same flexible tubing as Lensbaby 2.0

Specifications

Lens Construction: Coated optical glass doublet (same optic as Lensbaby 2.0)

Focal Length: Approx, 50 mm

Minimum focus distance: Approximately 12” (30.48cm)

Filter Size: 37mm

Lens Hood: none

Included accessories: Lens cap, rear cap, aperture discs, disc removal tool and lens pouch.

Size and weight: 3” (7.62cm) high x 3.25” (8.89cm) wide, 5.7oz (161.6g)

Apertures: f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22

Price From: Discontinued

Manufacturers web site: www.lensbabies.com

Positives

• Focus lock.
• Barrel focusing ring.
• Control over focus.

Drawbacks

• A little too much plastic, in my opinion.
• Aperture discs don't have f/ values on them.
• Changing of aperture discs, this is especially cumbersome when doing macro shots, you have to reposition the whole setup if you can't reach the discs.

Easy fix of the f/ values, I simply used a Paint marker to write the values.

Verdict

I really like the updates lensbabies did to the 3G, but there is also more updates I'd like to see. I think the most important update would be to have a Diaphragm on the lens, changing the aperture discs can be allot of work, especially if you are doing macro shots.


I'm also not to fussed about where the release and lock buttons are on the Lensbaby. To me it makes more sense if there was another Trigger Button where my thumb is in the picture.

When I use the Lens handheld I feel that the lock and release buttons are in the wrong place(in landscape mode). I think that the focusing rails also are in awkward positions. In my opinion the whole lens should be twisted slightly clockwise(if you are behind the lens) so the bottom focusing rail would be centered in the middle of the lens. The lensbaby seems to be made to use in portrait mode, as both the lock/release button and the focusing rails are easier to reach when you hold your camera in portrait mode. Making the base of the lens rotatable is another update I'd like to see in the next version of the Lensbaby.

Features
Performance
Build
Value

Alternatives

Lensbaby Control Freak. Price: $269.95 USD

Lensbaby Muse with Plastic Optics. Price: $99.95USD

Lensbaby Muse with Double Glass Optic. Price: $149.95 USD

Lensbaby Composer. Price: $269.95 USD

*Prices and rebates are subject to change. Listed price is from July 28, 2009

Sample Pictures

Images have been imported to photoshop CS3 through Capture NX 2 thus leaving the original image settings as shot, I. E white balance, sharpening, etc .etc. Full resolution sample images are in RGB color mode. Check out my copyright page for information about usage of these images.