Lensbaby 0.6X Wide Angle/Macro Conversion Lens Review

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Introduction

September 2007

The Lensbaby 0.6X Wide Angle/Macro Lens™ includes a 0.6X attachment that converts the 50mm focal length of the Lensbaby lens to a wider angle 30mm, while keeping the Sweet Spot the same size as a Lensbaby photo taken without a wide angle conversion lens. This lens also has the bonus feature of allowing photographers to unscrew the rear lens element for use as a macro lens that focuses as close as 2" to 3" from their subjects. The rear element of the Lensbaby 0.6X Wide Angle/Macro Conversion Lens is comparable to using a Lensbaby with the +4 and the +10 lenses from the Lensbaby Macro Kit stacked together

Specifications

Construction: 37 mm threads, screws on the front of the Lensbaby

Optics: 0.6X Wide

Close Focus: Macro element focuses from 2" to 3"

Included accessories: Front cap, rear cap, lens pouch.

Price From: $58.95 USD

Manufacturers web site: www.lensbabies.com

Positives

• Macro, using the rear of the conversion lens you get increased macro with the Lensbaby.
  
• Wide, well not really, it gives you 66mm on a DX camera, but it does make the Lensbaby more useful.

Drawbacks

• Changing apertures, you have to unscrew the lens to change apertures on the Lensbaby
  
• Wide? well according to my tests the widest you can go is 44mm(on FF) not, 30mm as advertised. You can go wider, but then you have nothing in focus at all.

Verdict

On a DX sized Dslr like the D200, the lensbaby is still not wide. With the wide angle on, you get 66mm on a DX Dslr, or 44mm on a FF Slr. IR performance is rather good, it can be hard getting images with proper focus on large apertures tough. If you want wide then the Digital Optics 0.45X conversion lens might be a better option. The conversion lenses would be allot more useful if the Lensbaby had an adjustable Diaphragm, instead of the changeable discs.

Features
Performance
IR Performance
Build
Value

Lensbaby 0.6X Wide Angle/Macro Conversion Lens: $ 58.95 USD

Alternatives

Lensbaby Wide Angle/Telephoto Kit. From $88.95 USD

*Prices and rebates are subject to change. Listed Price is from July 28, 2009

Sample Pictures

Images have been imported to photoshop CS3 through Capture NX 2 thus leaving the original image settings as shot, I. E white balance, sharpening, etc .etc. Full resolution sample images are in RGB color mode. Check out my copyright page for information about usage of these images.