Is this Crazy Camera Setup Worth Trying?

Whenever a camera setup comes along that looks a little crazy, my interest is always piqued. The big question with these inventions is whether they are just gimmicks or potentially the next big thing in photography.

Alternative camera setups can help photographers produce pictures that are wildly different from the norm. This can be great for trying to stand out in a competitive field such as photography. Enter stage left, Mathieu Stern, the photographer and educator who questions in his latest video if one of these alternative camera setups is the most absurd ever made. The product he is featuring is called the Lensbender.

For those who don't know, a Lensbender is a product that allows photographers to free-lens, a photography technique where interchangeable lenses are freely held in front of the lens mount of a camera to create interesting visual effects. The particular adapter featured in the video takes advantage of a bracket that holds the lens in front of the camera, which should make freelensing a whole lot easier. Stern shows the product in action, and the results are somewhat mixed. He goes through some of the quality and control issues of the setup and offers some useful suggestions for improvements. I personally like the lo-fi effect that the Lensbender gives, but I do appreciate that it may not be to everyone's taste.

Stern is known for testing all kinds of weird and wonderful lens setups, and the one by Lensbender definitely ticks both of those boxes. Whether you should add this product to your camera bag largely depends on your style of photography and your tastes. Be sure to check out the video for some real-world examples of "the most absurd lens adapter ever made" before adding one to your shopping basket.

What are your thoughts on this product? Do you think it's the most absurd lens adapter ever made? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.