The Lensbaby Movie Maker Kit II is a versatile system designed for creative filmmakers seeking unique in-camera optical effects. It centres around the Composer Pro II lens body, which allows for precise tilting and swivelling, enabling selective focus and miniature-like effects. The kit includes various “Optics” (e.g., Sweet 35, Edge 50, Twist 60) that produce distinct visual characteristics like sharp sweet spots, slice of focus, or swirling bokeh. This system is manual focus and manual aperture, offering hands-on creative control for abstract, dreamlike, or stylised cinematic sequences.
Overview
- Versatile creative effects lens system
- Centred around Composer Pro II lens body for tilt/swivel
- Includes various “Optics” for distinct visual effects
- Selective focus (Sweet Spot, Slice of Focus)
- Swirly bokeh (Twist 60)
- Manual focus and manual aperture control
- Ideal for artistic, abstract, dreamlike, or stylised filmmaking
- Offers hands-on creative optical control
| Focal Length | Aperture | Close focus | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edge 50 | F3.2 | 20cm | 8″ | 283 g |
| Edge 80 | F2.8 | 43cm | 1’4″ | 269 g |
| Sweet 35 | F2.5 | 19cm | 7’5″ | 207 g |
| Sweet 50 | F2.5 | 38cm | 1’2″ | 173 g |
| Twist 60 | F2.5 | 45cm | 1’5″ | 96 g |
1x Lensbaby Composer Pro II (EF)
1x Lensbaby Composer Pro II (PL)
1x Lensbaby Sweet 35mm Optic Lens
1x Lensbaby Sweet 50mm Optic Lens
1x Lensbaby Edge 50mm Optic Lens
1x Lensbaby Twist 60mm Optic Lens
1x Lensbaby Edge 80mm Optic Lens
Achieving Unique In-Camera Effects
This kit’s primary appeal is its ability to allow filmmakers to achieve unique optical effects directly in-camera (like selective focus, miniature looks, or swirly bokeh) rather than relying solely on post-production. Experiment with these effects to create distinctive visual styles.
Leveraging Composer Pro II Flexibility
The Composer Pro II body acts as a versatile platform. It allows you to tilt and swivel the optic inside, precisely controlling the plane of focus and the amount of creative blur. Practice with the tilt and swivel movements to gain intuitive control over where your focus lies and how the blur manifests.
Experimenting with Diverse Optics
The kit typically comes with several interchangeable “Optics” (e.g., Sweet 35 for a sharp sweet spot, Edge 50 for a slice of focus, Twist 60 for powerful swirly bokeh). Swap between these to explore a range of distinct visual looks and find the perfect effect for your scene.
Embracing Hands-On Creative Control
As a fully manual system, this kit encourages experimentation and tactile manipulation. This provides direct, real-time control over the creative effects, allowing you to see and adjust the look as you compose your shot.
Adding Unique Character to Your Footage
This kit is ideal for projects that require a non-traditional, artistic, dreamlike, or abstract aesthetic. It’s perfect for setting footage apart from conventional, optically perfect lenses, allowing you to infuse your work with a distinct personality.
Navigating the Learning Curve
While incredibly creative, mastering the tilt and swivel movements and understanding the unique effects of each optic requires some practice and experimentation. Be patient, embrace the learning process, and don’t be afraid to play around to discover new possibilities.