Lensbaby has released a new 80mm f/2.8 optic that provides creative control over depth-of-field with the impact of a tilt-shift lens.
The Edge 80 can also be used as straight lens to deliver edge-to-edge sharpness or tilted to focus on a single plane in the subject, rendering other distances as a soft blur. It can be utilised in any situation that lends itself to selective focus, including replicating the ‘miniature’ effect with much greater control over the zone of sharpness. Priced at an RRP of $339, the Edge 80 delivers a flat field of focus and a 12-blade adjustable aperture to control the width of the plane of sharpness in shots.
Two views of the new Lensbaby Edge 80 optic. (Source: Lensbaby.)
Part of the Lensbaby Optic Swap System, the Edge 80 is compatible with bodies including the Composer Pro, Composer, Muse, Scout and Control Freak. With Lensbaby’s Sweet 35, Double Glass, Single Glass, and Plastic Optics, photographers can control a curved field of focus that brings one area of the photo into sharp focus with other areas at the same depth of field falling off into blur.
Two examples of how the Edge 80 optic can be used creatively. (Source: Lensbaby.)
The Pinhole/Zone plate provides infinite depth of field, the Soft Focus optic delivers a sharp image with a soft overlay from edge to edge, while the Fisheye Optic provides a 160 degree angle of view on the world. A video demonstrating how tilt, aperture and focus affect the placement and appearance of the slice of sharpness in images can be found at www.lensbaby.com, along with full product information.
