The Lensbaby Velvet 85 is a unique lens that captures dreamy and ethereal images with its distinct soft focus effect. This manual focus lens is a popular choice among portrait photographers and creative individuals who want to add a touch of vintage charm to their photographs. In this review, we will take a closer look at the features, performance, pros, and cons of the Lensbaby Velvet 85.
Overview of the Lensbaby Velvet 85
The Lensbaby Velvet 85 is a medium telephoto lens with a focal length of 85mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.8. It is available in a variety of camera mounts including Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E, and Pentax K. The lens features a manual focus ring, allowing photographers to have complete control over their focal point. With its unique design, the Velvet 85 creates a soft, glowing effect around the subject while maintaining sharpness in the center, resulting in a dreamy and romantic look.
The lens is constructed with high-quality glass elements that minimize chromatic aberration and produce stunning image quality. The lens also has a minimum focusing distance of 9.5 inches, allowing photographers to capture detailed close-up shots with a beautifully blurred background. The Lensbaby Velvet 85 is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around for outdoor shoots or travel photography.
Pros and Cons of the Lensbaby Velvet 85
Pros:
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Artistic Soft Focus: The unique soft focus effect produced by the Lensbaby Velvet 85 adds a touch of creativity and artistry to photographs. It creates a dreamy and romantic atmosphere that is perfect for portrait photography or capturing artistic still life images.
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Build Quality: The lens is well-built and feels solid in hand. The focus ring is smooth and precise, allowing photographers to easily achieve the desired focal point. The lens also comes with a metal lens hood for added protection and to prevent lens flare.
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Versatile: The Lensbaby Velvet 85 is a versatile lens that can be used for various genres of photography. While it excels in portrait photography, it can also be used for landscape, macro, and street photography. Its unique soft focus effect adds a creative twist to any subject.
Cons:
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Manual Focus: The Lensbaby Velvet 85 is a manual focus lens, which may not be suitable for photographers who prefer autofocus functionality. It requires time and practice to achieve the desired focus, especially when shooting moving subjects or in low-light conditions.
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Limited Aperture Ring: Although the lens has a maximum aperture of f/1.8, the aperture ring only offers two stops, f/2.8 and f/16. This limited range may restrict certain creative possibilities for some photographers who prefer more control over their depth of field.
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Price: The Lensbaby Velvet 85 is relatively expensive compared to other lenses in its category. While it offers a unique and artistic effect, the price may be a barrier for some photographers, especially those on a tight budget.
In conclusion, the Lensbaby Velvet 85 is a versatile lens that captures stunning and dreamy images with its soft focus effect. Its unique design and high-quality construction make it a popular choice among photographers who seek to add a touch of creativity to their work. However, the manual focus and limited aperture ring may not suit every photographer’s preferences and shooting style. Despite its drawbacks, the Lensbaby Velvet 85 remains a valuable tool for those who appreciate its artistic capabilities and are willing to invest in its unique features.