Fans of Lensbaby's unique optics will be pleased to know that today, the company has announced a new lens, the Twist 60. Drawing on the resurgence in popularity of swirly bokeh effects, the lens is sure to be another interesting option for those who have recently jumped aboard the vintage optics movement.
The Twist 60 is a 60mm f/2.5 lens meant to harken to the classic Petzval design, meaning the wider the aperture, the greater the swirly bokeh and vignetting. Its full specs are as follows:
- Four elements in three groups
- 12-blade aperture (f/2.5-f/22)
- Recommended for use on full-frame cameras (a crop camera will cut out most of the swirly bokeh effect)
- Available for Canon EF, Nikon F, and Sony E mounts
- Minimum focus distance: 18"
Such lenses are normally conducive to center-composed portraits, in which the swirly bokeh effect and quick drop in sharpness off-center help to isolate the subject. Nonetheless, they can be used for more than just human subjects or portraits. Check out some of the sample images below.
Pre-order
The Lensbaby Twist 60 is available both as a standalone lens and as the Twist 60 Optic for use with Lensbaby Optic Swap System-compatible lenses. Pick up your copy here!
After a while it seem likes solid innovation evaporates into the mist of novelty.
I just ordered a USSR Halios from ebay to get some swirly bokeh like the one in the example photos.
Those are far more superior to lens baby IMO-
Oh nice, do you own one of the Halios?
I imagine the lensbaby is sharper but the Helios doesn't distort the subject like this lensbaby seems to.
bit too much for my taste but I respect them for continuously putting out new and fun products
If you want 'vintage photographs' why not buy the right gear and shoot film instead of pretending and faking it?
I agree. Images from my Kiev rangefinder have a very vintage feel.
Because some people enjoy the optical appearance of a lens like this but have no interest whatsoever in dealing with film.
As long as you don't mind faking it. I prefer the real thing - too much lying is not good for anything.
Both digital and film are the real thing. The selection of one over the other is merely a choice of recording medium. The act of using an optical design on a digital sensor to achieve a specific creative vision is in no way dishonest, it is merely a choice.
I choose to use a digital sensor because I believe, for my workflow, it is a vastly superior medium in every single way. Others, such as yourself, disagree, which there is nothing wrong with. We all choose the path that best works for us.
You shouldn't resent those who choose a different creative direction than your own. It will eat away at you and rob you of your love of photography.