In October 2017 I had a special lens on my camera via Lensbaby Nederland. I was allowed to test and review the Lensbaby Velvet 56 F1.6 for one week. Needless to say that I have been traveling a lot with my camera. And that the dogs didn't mind this, of course. In fact .. they enjoyed.
My Lensbaby Velvet 56 F1.6 experience.
After placing a picture on the facebook of Lensbaby Nederland of my dog Rowan, and also a remark that I would like to lay my hands on a Lensbaby Velvet soon there was contact ... and the possibility to use a Velvet 56 F1.6. to test. Wow! A unique opportunity for me. I had often looked at the photos taken with this lens and what struck me again and again was that this lens has a unique look at the largest apertures, but from an F4 itself behaves more like a 'normal' lens. Only the bokeh remains clearly different from other lenses. When the postman delivered the Velvet to me, I did not hesitate for a moment. Immediately I placed the lens on my camera and I went on the road with Rowan.
In this pictures, which aremade with a diaphragm of F1.6, you clearly see the unique look that this Lensbaby creates. Rowan gets a kind of 'glow' around him, like all the highlights in the photo. And the whole picture gets an absolute 'dreamy' look without the need for photoshop.
Because this lens is again completely manual, like all Lensbaby products, you have to get used to it in the beginning and you have to get the right 'stroke', but that went pretty easy and fast. What is striking is that the metal construction of the special edition feels very solid. The aperture ring clicks very smoothly and the focus is quite broad. What is very nice. To make macro recordings, turn the focus ring all the way to the left and there again is enough space to focus accurately.
I took the picture on the left first with a diaphragm of F1.6, and then exactly the same mushroom (right photo) with an aperture of F8. The difference is very clearly visible. The 'glow', which is standard with the large apertures, has disappeared with a slightly smaller aperture.
My over-all finding of this lensbaby is therefore that it would be an absolute addition to my photography and the fact that this lensbaby just all others should be manually focussed would not be an obstacle for me to use it frequently.
Precisely because of the beautiful 'dreamy' effect that this lens has on the large apertures. Especially for dogs is usually chosen for a completely sharp dog, that would mean with this lens that you have to shoot at F4 or higher. But that will take away a large part of the special creative effect. And my opinion is that you do not buy such a lens to see just that effect in your photos.
So I also made several pictures on F1.6, or F2 and F2.8. I love it myself, but that is really personal taste. But if you want something different than others, I would definitely recommend this lens. Especially with my white shepherd the effect is very striking. He gets a special glow around him, which gives a nice atmosphere to the photo.
That you do not have to work with small magnetic rings as you still need to do with the composer pro is also a big advantage. This allows you to quickly and easily set a different aperture quickly and easily. I am really very surprised by this Lensbaby, both in terms of sharpness, bokeh and also the ease with which he can be operated on your camera. I tested with dogs in the past week, what macro, what nature and what 'landscape'.
I am happy with the photos that have come out of this, and I can certainly say that as soon as I have the opportunity ... this Lensbaby Velvet will become a new permanent addition to my photo bag.
Below are some pictures that have been rolled out of my camera during this week of testing the Lensbaby Velvet 56 f1.6.
Hopefully you enjoyed this special lens as much as I did.