Lens Baby Club

thomascdk · 05-07-2009, 09:25 AM

Originally posted by Nesster

Nice photo - my ears perk up, tell us about the Composer and what all attaches to it.

Thanks. I'm still getting to know the Composer, but I can say that the combination of the ball bearing and locking ring offers a lot of flexibility. Haven't use the original, so I can't comment on differences. The wide angle is a nice touch as well as all the other fun stuff (macros, tele, different optics etc).

Mike Cash · 05-07-2009, 11:04 AM

Bottom bird of a string of folded paper cranes hanging outside a Shinto shrine in rural Nagano:

Pentax K20D
Lens Baby 2.0
M42 Bellows Unit

**barondla** · 05-10-2009, 05:52 AM

Nice image Mike. Interesting to use LB with a bellows. Haven't seen that before. Like the warm colors of this shot.
thanks
barondla

Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST 18 WINNER in P&S forum. Enter #19. Any brand camera. Enter now!

Mike Cash · 05-10-2009, 06:06 AM

I like the LB on bellows or tubes. The only real problem is that of adjusting the sweet spot. I generally end up just leaving it in the middle. As you know, with macro it is hard enough to get the focus correct handheld anyway. Trying to handhold, find a focus spot, maintain it, and go for a sweet spot all at the same time are just too much for me.

I'd really like to have a Composer for doing this sort of thing, as well as for long exposure shots.

Pentax K20D
Lens Baby 2.0 @ f2

Yokohama's Minato Mirai area at 4:30 a.m.

**barondla** · 06-14-2009, 01:18 PM

Pentax K20D, Lensbaby Composer. Probably wide open at f2. ISO 200. One of my few attempts at people and shooting quickly on the fly.
thanks
barondla

Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST #19 WINNER in compact camera forum. Enter #20. Any brand camera. Enter now!

Mike Bokeh · 06-14-2009, 06:06 PM

Hey barondla, old buddy, I was shooting the Stars and Stripes with my Lensbaby recently too!

[FONT="Palatino Linotype"]G3 @ f4.0 @ 1/45 sec.[/FONT]

[FONT="Palatino Linotype"]Same photo with I believe the fresco effect added at Photobucket.[/FONT]

Let's see if we can get this thread back into high gear.

As the Beatles once sang, "It's been a long, cold, lonely winter."

Mike

**barondla** · 06-15-2009, 05:14 PM

Mike Bokeh, like the fresco treatment on the flags. Really sets them off. Well done.
thanks
barondla

**barondla** · 07-27-2009, 06:12 PM

Lensbaby Composer, +4 & +10 macro lens attachments, F4 disk, K20D.
thanks
barondla

Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST #20 WINNERS in compact camera forum. Enter #21. Any brand camera. Enter now!

maxwell1295 · 08-10-2009, 05:15 AM

I have a quick question before I pull the trigger on the LB 2.0

I didn't read every post in the thread, but I'm wondering what mode you K-mount users are shooting in.

I assume that since there are no contacts, I can just slap in a disc and shoot in Av mode.....is this correct?

thomascdk · 08-10-2009, 07:20 AM

Originally posted by maxwell1295

I assume that since there are no contacts, I can just slap in a disc and shoot in Av mode.....is this correct?

Spot on. Now go buy one!

Though I usually shoot manual... But that's just me.

Mike Bokeh · 08-10-2009, 10:57 AM

Originally posted by maxwell1295

I have a quick question before I pull the trigger on the LB 2.0

I didn't read every post in the thread, but I'm wondering what mode you K-mount users are shooting in.

I assume that since there are no contacts, I can just slap in a disc and shoot in Av mode.....is this correct?

Yes, that is correct Maxwell1295, but in general, my Lensbaby tends to underexpose, so I make my first exposures in AV mode, then switch to manual and bracket.

I like the results that I get at f4.0, but the only way to really get to know a Lensbaby is to experiment.

A word of caution: If you're going to do people portraits, be very careful focusing especially if you're using f2.8 or f2.0. (Wide open) We've all seen the nice and unusual results Lensbabies can give, but they can also be unforgiving in the focusing department.

I also have a k-mount, but I have a 3G, not a 2.0.

Any more questions, just ask.

Mike

maxwell1295 · 08-10-2009, 06:47 PM

Thanks for the replies. I LBA'd a 2.0 earlier today from Arlington (Texas) Camera. They had the lowest advertised price I could find on Google. Of course, with the free shipping I could have bought it from Adorama for less and probably would get it by Wednesday. Oh well....

**barondla** · 08-10-2009, 07:04 PM

Maxwell1295, you will have fun with it! Usually shoot my LB on av at +1 exposure comp (for f2.8 or F4). Usually +1.5 for F2. This seems to work on both LBO and LB Composer.
thanks
barondla

Tip: if your aperture discs aren't marked with aperture numbers use a yellow permanent marker to do so. Makes shooting easier.

maxwell1295 · 08-10-2009, 07:35 PM

Originally posted by barondla

Maxwell1295, you will have fun with it! Usually shoot my LB on av at +1 exposure comp (for f2.8 or F4). Usually +1.5 for F2. This seems to work on both LBO and LB Composer.
thanks
barondla

Tip: if your aperture discs aren't marked with aperture numbers use a yellow permanent marker to do so. Makes shooting easier.

Thanks for the tip on the discs. Have you tried the aluminum foil trick to get more accurate metering. Works well for M42 lenses and works the same with the Lensbabys. Just short out the contacts and you have real Av shooting without having to dial in the +EV.

maxwell1295 · 08-25-2009, 07:04 PM

Okay, I haven't spent much time with the lens since I got it, but I like what I see so far. It works really well with architecture. I tried a few portraits and those turned out okay. I had a lot of trouble getting the focus right at 2.8. I've been shooting with the F8 disc until I feel more comfortable with the wider apertures.

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05-07-2009, 09:25 AM	#136
thomascdk Senior Member	Originally posted by Nesster Nice photo - my ears perk up, tell us about the Composer and what all attaches to it. Thanks. I'm still getting to know the Composer, but I can say that the combination of the ball bearing and locking ring offers a lot of flexibility. Haven't use the original, so I can't comment on differences. The wide angle is a nice touch as well as all the other fun stuff (macros, tele, different optics etc).

05-07-2009, 11:04 AM	#137
Mike Cash Pentaxian	Bottom bird of a string of folded paper cranes hanging outside a Shinto shrine in rural Nagano: Pentax K20D Lens Baby 2.0 M42 Bellows Unit

05-10-2009, 05:52 AM	#138
barondla Site Supporter	Nice image Mike. Interesting to use LB with a bellows. Haven't seen that before. Like the warm colors of this shot. thanks barondla Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST 18 WINNER in P&S forum. Enter #19. Any brand camera. Enter now!

05-10-2009, 06:06 AM	#139
Mike Cash Pentaxian	I like the LB on bellows or tubes. The only real problem is that of adjusting the sweet spot. I generally end up just leaving it in the middle. As you know, with macro it is hard enough to get the focus correct handheld anyway. Trying to handhold, find a focus spot, maintain it, and go for a sweet spot all at the same time are just too much for me. I'd really like to have a Composer for doing this sort of thing, as well as for long exposure shots. Pentax K20D Lens Baby 2.0 @ f2 Yokohama's Minato Mirai area at 4:30 a.m.

06-14-2009, 06:06 PM	#141
Mike Bokeh Veteran Member	Hey barondla, old buddy, I was shooting the Stars and Stripes with my Lensbaby recently too! [FONT="Palatino Linotype"]G3 @ f4.0 @ 1/45 sec.[/FONT] [FONT="Palatino Linotype"]Same photo with I believe the fresco effect added at Photobucket.[/FONT] Let's see if we can get this thread back into high gear. As the Beatles once sang, "It's been a long, cold, lonely winter." Mike

06-15-2009, 05:14 PM	#142
barondla Site Supporter	Mike Bokeh, like the fresco treatment on the flags. Really sets them off. Well done. thanks barondla

08-10-2009, 05:15 AM	#144
maxwell1295 Veteran Member	I have a quick question before I pull the trigger on the LB 2.0 I didn't read every post in the thread, but I'm wondering what mode you K-mount users are shooting in. I assume that since there are no contacts, I can just slap in a disc and shoot in Av mode.....is this correct?

08-10-2009, 07:20 AM	#145
thomascdk Senior Member	Originally posted by maxwell1295 I assume that since there are no contacts, I can just slap in a disc and shoot in Av mode.....is this correct? Spot on. Now go buy one! Though I usually shoot manual... But that's just me.

08-10-2009, 10:57 AM	#146
Mike Bokeh Veteran Member	Originally posted by maxwell1295 I have a quick question before I pull the trigger on the LB 2.0 I didn't read every post in the thread, but I'm wondering what mode you K-mount users are shooting in. I assume that since there are no contacts, I can just slap in a disc and shoot in Av mode.....is this correct? Yes, that is correct Maxwell1295, but in general, my Lensbaby tends to underexpose, so I make my first exposures in AV mode, then switch to manual and bracket. I like the results that I get at f4.0, but the only way to really get to know a Lensbaby is to experiment. A word of caution: If you're going to do people portraits, be very careful focusing especially if you're using f2.8 or f2.0. (Wide open) We've all seen the nice and unusual results Lensbabies can give, but they can also be unforgiving in the focusing department. I also have a k-mount, but I have a 3G, not a 2.0. Any more questions, just ask. Mike

08-10-2009, 06:47 PM	#147
maxwell1295 Veteran Member	Thanks for the replies. I LBA'd a 2.0 earlier today from Arlington (Texas) Camera. They had the lowest advertised price I could find on Google. Of course, with the free shipping I could have bought it from Adorama for less and probably would get it by Wednesday. Oh well....

08-10-2009, 07:04 PM	#148
barondla Site Supporter	Maxwell1295, you will have fun with it! Usually shoot my LB on av at +1 exposure comp (for f2.8 or F4). Usually +1.5 for F2. This seems to work on both LBO and LB Composer. thanks barondla Tip: if your aperture discs aren't marked with aperture numbers use a yellow permanent marker to do so. Makes shooting easier.

08-10-2009, 07:35 PM	#149
maxwell1295 Veteran Member	Originally posted by barondla Maxwell1295, you will have fun with it! Usually shoot my LB on av at +1 exposure comp (for f2.8 or F4). Usually +1.5 for F2. This seems to work on both LBO and LB Composer. thanks barondla Tip: if your aperture discs aren't marked with aperture numbers use a yellow permanent marker to do so. Makes shooting easier. Thanks for the tip on the discs. Have you tried the aluminum foil trick to get more accurate metering. Works well for M42 lenses and works the same with the Lensbabys. Just short out the contacts and you have real Av shooting without having to dial in the +EV.

08-25-2009, 07:04 PM	#150
maxwell1295 Veteran Member	Okay, I haven't spent much time with the lens since I got it, but I like what I see so far. It works really well with architecture. I tried a few portraits and those turned out okay. I had a lot of trouble getting the focus right at 2.8. I've been shooting with the F8 disc until I feel more comfortable with the wider apertures.