I just was not prepared for this. I’ve used Lensbaby products for 10 years and really enjoyed them, but I’ve always relegated them to the “specialty” lens category. But I have to say I find myself reaching for the new Velvet 56 more often than not. It’s no specialty lens. And what’s really telling about my constant use of this lens is that I have THREE (count em THREE) additional lenses that cover the same focal length – and every one of those lenses is stellar.
Photo Copyright Scott Bourne
I have the Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R
It’s crazy. I know, but there’s something about the Velvet 56 that just calls my name.
I love that Lensbaby made one for the Fuji mount. Props for that. I love the metal lens cover. I love the design that recesses the lens element so no external lens hood is necessary. I love the soft, creamy, out-of-focus backgrounds you can create in-camera with this lens but I also like the incredibly sharp images you can also make with it.
I find myself using the macro capability of the lens often and the images I make from the Velvet 56 just have a certain “feel” to them. The color and clarity from this lens is superb.
Then there’s just the way the lens sits in the hand. It is ROCK solid and the aperture ring clicks soundly and solidly when you change it. The click from the aperture ring might put off some video shooters, but I use my Fuji cameras for stills so it doesn’t bother me.
I also think my enjoyment of this lens is particularly tied to my ability to use Fuji’s brilliant focus peaking option for manual focus. I have not missed a single, solitary shot due to focus issues with this lens. Not one.
I can’t believe I am about to say this but I am. I can see myself going on a lot of photo shoots with JUST the Velvet 56 mounted to my camera. It’s THAT versatile. I don’t care what type of photography you do, there’s a case to be made that the Velvet 56 can offer something different for those who want a unique point of view.
The photo I display at the top of this post was made with the Velvet 56. Sometimes I like a photo to be relatively crisp from that lens and this was one of those times. At f/8 it’s sharper than almost any lens in the same focal range. I wanted one last shot for my new book (coming soon) on Americana photography. I went pretty sharp on this one at f/5.6 when I went to the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas with the notion that I couldn’t carry a lot of gear around in there. So I used my X-T1 and the Velvet 56 and got the shot I wanted for the book.
Conclusion
The real sleeper feature in the Velvet 56 is it’s ability to go from soft to sharp, or from macro to distance at a moment’s notice. This chameleon quality has me genuinely loving it. I think it gives me an opportunity to be creative when I am feeling my arty side – and the ability to be tack sharp when that’s what I think a scene needs.
The Lensbaby is marketed to portrait photographers – and there’s no doubt that portrait photographers will want this lens, but it’s almost film-like look will appeal to shooters of all styles.
I don’t think a camera lens can have a soul – but if a camera lens COULD have a soul it would be THIS lens.
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Filed under: Gear, Photography Tagged: americana, Lensbaby, manual focus, velvet lens 
