New Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f1.6 in PK mount

SointulArt · 04-07-2015, 09:13 AM

Lensbaby have announced a new soft portrait and macro lens (1:2), the Velvet 56mm f1/6 lens in a Pentax K mount.

VisualDarkness · 04-07-2015, 09:39 AM

It looks like if you misalign elements in a random cheap 50mm and and a dirty UV filter infront. I have trouble seeing why you would pay a premium for this.

---------- Post added 04-07-15 at 06:41 PM ----------

Does it really cost more than an used DA55/1.4? Somebody is trying to make loads of money...

Imp · 04-07-2015, 09:55 AM

Neat that they've released it for Pentax. Looks like it can do some interesting effects. Although, perhaps not quite worth the price tag?

**blackcloudbrew** · 04-07-2015, 09:58 AM

With Lensbabies, it's not the price, it's the look. If you want that look, you'll pay the price.

SointulArt · 04-07-2015, 10:02 AM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

It looks like if you misalign elements in a random cheap 50mm and and a dirty UV filter infront. I have trouble seeing why you would pay a premium for this.

---------- Post added 04-07-15 at 06:41 PM ----------

Does it really cost more than an used DA55/1.4? Somebody is trying to make loads of money...

Some people may find the soft focus pleasing, but I agree it seems a little pricey for what it is. It does seem to be well made, but with no contacts and stop-down metering according to the review on ePhotozine.
But it is good that some manufacturers are supporting the K mount with new lenses. However, I'll stick with my Samyang 85mm f1.4 for portraits and with some extension added it does a nice ethereal glow on macro shots as well.

**stevebrot** · 04-07-2015, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

It looks like if you misalign elements in a random cheap 50mm and and a dirty UV filter infront. I have trouble seeing why you would pay a premium for this.

---------- Post added 04-07-15 at 06:41 PM ----------

Does it really cost more than an used DA55/1.4? Somebody is trying to make loads of money...

So true...Field curvature and spherical aberrations are our friends! To be fair though, a dedicated soft-focus portrait lens has been part of the Pentax line at various times (e.g. FA 85/2.8 Soft and K 85/2.2 Soft), though maybe not to the same degree as the Velvet 56.

Steve

**blackcloudbrew** · 04-07-2015, 10:05 AM - **1 Like**

Just recently acquired the K85 soft lens. It's difficult to use and it's very easy to over do the softness. I have to suspect that the Lensbaby folks have put together a better product.

**mattb123** · 04-07-2015, 10:07 AM

It kind of looks like that sears macro glow that my 135/2.8 macro does. In most cases I'm not a fan but I could see doing some fun portraits with it.
I'm not convinced this one is worth $460 more than what I've got.

VisualDarkness · 04-07-2015, 10:08 AM

I'll unscrew the front elements a bit on my lenses instead to achieve the look.

I can see the joy in using lenses with abberations (I shoot with some from the 1920's) but this doesn't even look like a soft focus one, just a bad one.

D1N0 · 04-07-2015, 11:54 AM - **1 Like**

Review: Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Macro Review

**RGlasel** · 04-07-2015, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

I have trouble seeing why you would pay a premium for this.

Well, it's quicker and easier than digital blurring in Photoshop. Much less control over the final image, however. Which brings a thought to mind. How is this artistic compared to flinging paint at a canvas, or heaven forbid, combining the vision of an artist with the skill of a craftsman to produce something beautiful AND thought provoking?

reh321 · 04-07-2015, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

I have trouble seeing why you would pay a premium for this.

Based on the pricing I've seen on eBay, there are vendors who believe that some will believe you if you tell them that something is valuable.

VisualDarkness · 04-07-2015, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by reh321

Based on the pricing I've seen on eBay, there are vendors who believe that some will believe you if you tell them that something is valuable.

You mean like the "rare" 50/2.0 out there? I just saw a regular Spotmatic here in Sweden overpriced with the notion of being a "super rare" model.

Simen1 · 04-07-2015, 01:48 PM

Prioritized in the first heap of mounts. Sigma should be inspired by Lensbaby and prioritize pentaxians just as good as any other mounts.

D1N0 · 04-07-2015, 01:56 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Simen1

Prioritized in the first heap of mounts. Sigma should be inspired by Lensbaby and prioritize pentaxians just as good as any other mounts.

It is easy to make mounts without electronics. Just requires a fitting piece of metal.

04-07-2015, 09:13 AM	#1
SointulArt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Trail, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 450	New Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f1.6 in PK mount Lensbaby have announced a new soft portrait and macro lens (1:2), the Velvet 56mm f1/6 lens in a Pentax K mount.

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04-07-2015, 09:39 AM	#2
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,438	It looks like if you misalign elements in a random cheap 50mm and and a dirty UV filter infront. I have trouble seeing why you would pay a premium for this. ---------- Post added 04-07-15 at 06:41 PM ---------- Does it really cost more than an used DA55/1.4? Somebody is trying to make loads of money...

04-07-2015, 09:55 AM	#3
Imp Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Washington, DC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,714	Neat that they've released it for Pentax. Looks like it can do some interesting effects. Although, perhaps not quite worth the price tag?

04-07-2015, 09:58 AM	#4
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,397	With Lensbabies, it's not the price, it's the look. If you want that look, you'll pay the price.

04-07-2015, 10:02 AM	#5
SointulArt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Trail, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 450 Original Poster	Originally posted by VisualDarkness It looks like if you misalign elements in a random cheap 50mm and and a dirty UV filter infront. I have trouble seeing why you would pay a premium for this. ---------- Post added 04-07-15 at 06:41 PM ---------- Does it really cost more than an used DA55/1.4? Somebody is trying to make loads of money... Some people may find the soft focus pleasing, but I agree it seems a little pricey for what it is. It does seem to be well made, but with no contacts and stop-down metering according to the review on ePhotozine. But it is good that some manufacturers are supporting the K mount with new lenses. However, I'll stick with my Samyang 85mm f1.4 for portraits and with some extension added it does a nice ethereal glow on macro shots as well.

04-07-2015, 10:03 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by VisualDarkness It looks like if you misalign elements in a random cheap 50mm and and a dirty UV filter infront. I have trouble seeing why you would pay a premium for this. ---------- Post added 04-07-15 at 06:41 PM ---------- Does it really cost more than an used DA55/1.4? Somebody is trying to make loads of money... So true...Field curvature and spherical aberrations are our friends! To be fair though, a dedicated soft-focus portrait lens has been part of the Pentax line at various times (e.g. FA 85/2.8 Soft and K 85/2.2 Soft), though maybe not to the same degree as the Velvet 56. Steve

04-07-2015, 10:05 AM - 1 Like	#7
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,397	Just recently acquired the K85 soft lens. It's difficult to use and it's very easy to over do the softness. I have to suspect that the Lensbaby folks have put together a better product.

04-07-2015, 10:07 AM	#8
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,649	It kind of looks like that sears macro glow that my 135/2.8 macro does. In most cases I'm not a fan but I could see doing some fun portraits with it. I'm not convinced this one is worth $460 more than what I've got.

04-07-2015, 10:08 AM	#9
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,438	I'll unscrew the front elements a bit on my lenses instead to achieve the look. I can see the joy in using lenses with abberations (I shoot with some from the 1920's) but this doesn't even look like a soft focus one, just a bad one.

04-07-2015, 11:54 AM - 1 Like	#10
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,763	Review: Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 Macro Review

04-07-2015, 12:22 PM	#11
RGlasel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saskatoon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,170	Originally posted by VisualDarkness I have trouble seeing why you would pay a premium for this. Well, it's quicker and easier than digital blurring in Photoshop. Much less control over the final image, however. Which brings a thought to mind. How is this artistic compared to flinging paint at a canvas, or heaven forbid, combining the vision of an artist with the skill of a craftsman to produce something beautiful AND thought provoking?

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04-07-2015, 01:02 PM	#12
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 22,147	Originally posted by VisualDarkness I have trouble seeing why you would pay a premium for this. Based on the pricing I've seen on eBay, there are vendors who believe that some will believe you if you tell them that something is valuable.

04-07-2015, 01:09 PM	#13
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,438	Originally posted by reh321 Based on the pricing I've seen on eBay, there are vendors who believe that some will believe you if you tell them that something is valuable. You mean like the "rare" 50/2.0 out there? I just saw a regular Spotmatic here in Sweden overpriced with the notion of being a "super rare" model.

04-07-2015, 01:48 PM	#14
Simen1 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tromsø, Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 1,031	Prioritized in the first heap of mounts. Sigma should be inspired by Lensbaby and prioritize pentaxians just as good as any other mounts.

04-07-2015, 01:56 PM - 1 Like	#15
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,763	Originally posted by Simen1 Prioritized in the first heap of mounts. Sigma should be inspired by Lensbaby and prioritize pentaxians just as good as any other mounts. It is easy to make mounts without electronics. Just requires a fitting piece of metal.