Used Lensbaby Velvet 56, 56mm f/1.6 Macro Lens for Nikon F - Traditional Black Finish

2021-12-27T20:48:47

I bought this lens to cover a couple objectives; to use as an art lens and a beginner macro. This lens performs excellent on both sides! The bokeh it provides gets really artsy as you open up the lens more which is really cool as it's different. The macro features are also very nice as it still can focus in on very minute detail.

Christopher C.

2021-08-26T15:21:56

A creative dream state lens. Great for creating dream state photos, nice and creamy images. The lens is of high quality construction with a very smooth focusing ring.

Guymond L.

2021-07-06T18:16:06

This is a great lens that has really helped me achieve the dreamy, velvety look I was going for with my flower photography.

Kimberly T.

2021-05-02T11:30:20

I like the old school qualities of the lens. I enjoy old movies and this lens has the qualities seen in the old films.

Joseph V.

2021-01-22T07:48:52

Amazing lens! No regrets on my purchase what-so-ever. The glow is very cool and the sharpness is excellent! Considering the 28mm Velvet lens next!

Ben N.

2020-07-21T10:34:45

Excellent product, works as described.

JARED H.

2019-12-24T05:43:59

It permits very creative imaging in camera.

Michael B.

2019-12-24T05:34:55

Excellent lens!

Sherry K.

2019-07-31T06:03:33

Beautiful well made lens. Will take a little time to master.

PATRICIA A.

2019-03-31T15:16:29

The lens has changed my photography life!

CINDY M.

2018-08-11T07:08:23

Love this for creating dreamy images. Did a newborn session for my nephew with this lens and they turned out beautifully.

ANNE C.

2018-08-08T14:29:58

I am still a newby as I have only had this lens for a month, but I am loving it so far. I have had the best luck when using it on a tripod. I am enjoying experimenting with the apeture since this makes such a drastic difference. I need to practice more with getting the focus perfect, but as they say, practice, practice, practice.

Laurie S.

2018-01-04T07:52:52

I've only had the lens for about a week and already I'm in love and taking great shots! The key is to first do a test at each aperture and observe the beautiful effects. It's a highly versatile lens -- soft and dreamy at f1.6 and sharply focused like a regular lens at f16. Amazing.

KATHLEEN H.

2017-12-18T07:36:25

This is a manual focus lens that lets me get very creative. Love it.

Deborah S.

2017-07-23T17:31:25

This lens has opened up a new world for me, I can now really shine at the portraits I love doing, as well as the flower pictures I love!!!!!

Jane C.

2017-06-11T12:21:13

very pleased with the lensWrite your review here. It must be at least 10 characters long. Consider whether you would recommend this product and what you like or dislike about it.

DENISE M.

2017-05-06T03:55:09

For me there was a learning curve - I usually use auto-focus feature on my camera. This lens is total manual. Now that I have worked with the lens, I love it. It has great bokah when taking pictures of flowers. I have some really neat affect photos of my neighbor's dog -- face in focus and everything else fading to a warm bokah.

KATHLEEN D.

2017-04-19T21:38:42

Old school in that it's totally manual, but not a problem. One doesn't just slap it on and expect good results, a real learning curve. Each time I have used it so far, I am increasingly pleased. Great build quality.

Johnie J.

2016-12-13T11:09:14

This lens does exactly what I hoped it would. Using it mainly for flower photography.

Karen T.

2016-10-12T13:56:22

I take lots of animal portraits and I love the creamy look this lens can achieve while keeping your subject's eyes in focus. Great for flower photos, too. Need a little practice with adjusting aperture and manual focus, but it's with it to me. You can see an example of a photo taken with this lens here: https://morningstarfotos.smugmug.com/Pets/Pets-and-Animals-1/i-GRLsmk8#

ELISSA D.

2016-01-28T12:09:54

Recommended with reservations. Hipster LOMO crowd may appreciate and it is clear this product was marketed to that demographic. Build quality is on par with modern Samyang platform. However, lens is glass and metal. No plastic. My copy has very faint grind during focusing that reminds me of a bad wheel bearing. Scrape scrape. That's enough for me to return and never buy another. The mount appears to be an anodized aluminum. It couples tightly to my Nikon D7000. Fits perfect to Nikon F5. Focusing is stiff with long throw. Lens is far too soft to be of use at 1.6. I had some decent art shots from 2-2.8 using D5 with Kodak CN400 film. I think the lens is better suited to mechanical film cameras. Over-priced at $500. On positive note the lens has a unique signature with sweet spot at 2.8. I have received comments asking if images were taken with vintage lens. Think of an old Leitz 35mm 3.5 Summaron with hazy elements. I also like the 2:1 macro capabilities -e.g. Orchids shot side open. I see little use for the lens stepped down to allow large DOF. For experimenters only. Pixel peeper stay away. I'm keeping mine for kicks.

BARRY H.

2016-01-22T08:11:14

This lens is excellent. I love the creamy soft focus at wide apertures and it is also a crisp sharp lens at narrow apertures. It has not been off my camera since I bought it. One note though, if you shoot a Sony A7II the lens may not attach. I contacted the manufacturer and they told me the upgraded A7II had a lens attachment alteration they did not initially know about.They sent me a new lens and I returned the original one to them. So if you buy one and it doesn't work let Lensbaby know and they will send you a replacement lens.

DIANE H.

2015-12-16T06:07:16

Recently picked up this Lens and what the other comments say are true. This lens provides me all the optics i need for my current projects and it is built well

john d.

2015-06-09T21:00:00

I am using Sony Alpha cameras and when it advertised it was for Sony Alpha I figured like most lenses I could use standard settings on my camera's. The only setting I am able to use is manual. Focusing is a problem that I am trying to work through. The lens is a learning experience for me which I need. Lens is well built but I wish it could used with some of the camera setting specially focusing.

JIM J.

2015-05-05T21:00:00

Lens feels solid in the hand and agile in use. I've taken it out 3 times so far and get more excited with each expedition. Don't tell my sister, but I'm getting it for her for xmas!

CHRISTINE B.