Earlier this year I was offered the opportunity to beta test the latest offering from Lensbaby: the Obscura. When I received the original email offer, I had no idea what I was agreeing to. I said yes, completely unprepared for how much this lens would push me in new directions and test my confidence.
My initial reaction was excitement. How cool is it to be asked to beta test a new lens? Especially one based on the foundations of photography: the pinhole. Once I received the lens and had a chance to take a few test photos, my excitement quickly faded. The lens I was sent is a 16mm pancake lens. Couple that with a f90 aperture and every thing (and I mean everything!) in the setting is reveled! There is no fudging reality with beautiful bokeh using this lens. A crisis of confidence quickly followed, especially after I made the mistake of checking out the beta test group of photographers on Facebook. Already, some of my fellow Lensbaby enthusiasts had created jaw-dropping photos. That was a true “Oh shit!” moment.
The Obscura
The Obscura comes in two focal lengths; a 50mm created for the optic swap system and a standalone lens, plus the 16mm created for mirrorless cameras. As I mentioned previously, I was playing with the 16mm, which has no ability to focus and only three F-stops: f/22, f/45 and f/90. Each setting has its own distinct look. While the f/90 aperture isn’t a true pinhole, its near-infinite focus and crisp edges feel like one. The f/45, or Sieve, creates these crazy artifacts that show the underlying lens technology (multiple pinholes) plus a dreamy glow and some of the crispness of the f/90. The f/22 setting is called the Zone plate, which creates a maximum dreamy effect and cool stretching along the edges. In my experience, toys look best when placed in this lens’ center sweet spot.
Unfortunately, this made my tried and true “rule of thirds” composition rule obsolete. It was just one of the many habits I had to throw out because they didn’t work with this lens.
Cue the panic attack.
Dark night of the soul
In my Creativity Workshops I talk to my participants about the creative process. It goes something like this: original idea filled with high expectations > dark night of the soul when nothing seems to work out > followed by ending up with something imperfect but not bad. I found this idea in Austin Kleon’s book Steal Like an Artist. This lens took me on that journey and almost broke me.
At one point I even offered to send the lens back, I was so convinced I wouldn’t be able to take a photo of a toy I would be proud of. Since my offer wasn’t accepted, I had no choice but to keep going. So I picked myself up and I put aside my preconceived notions of what I thought this lens was and took a close look at what it was really doing. Part of that process was changing my subject. What did I have that was big enough to fill the frame and be universally recognizable enough to work with this strange new lens?
I put aside my LEGO minifigures and pulled out my Diamond Select Muppet Show figures. I’ve had them in my shop since the Seattle Photo Meet-Up back in 2016. It was high time they came out and played! Once I switched up my figures, lowered my expectations and got back to work, I started to turn the corner on my despair. I also pulled out my dragons and dinosaurs because their shapes where iconic enough to read no matter how distorted the image might be. The shot below was one of the first ‘successes’ that showed me it was possible to make this lens work with toy photography. Once I had this image under my belt, I was off and running!
Embracing the unthinkable
Besides changing up my toys, I also had to change two other aspects of my workflow. I had to embrace the unthinkable (to me): more post-production in Photoshop than I like and adding a tripod to my kit.
When you have a camera with an f/90 aperture, it needs a lot of light. I had the choice of photographing hand-held and bumping up my ISO to 6000+, or I could resort to a tripod for stability and lower ISO settings. I opted for the tripod for a variety of reasons. I researched low-to-the-ground options and settled on the edelkrone StandONE foldable camera mount. By embracing this low-profile camera mount, I was able to capture each scene in all the lens settings and decide what I would use once I could see the image on my home computer. In the end, I combined aspects of at least two of the settings into the final image.
During this time, I was also moving my photo library to Lightroom. This gave me access to Silver Efex Pro 2. I had great fun playing with the settings and pushing some of the images into either high-key black and white, or a more nostalgic look. It’s been years since I moved sliders hard right or left to see what would happen. I love experimenting in this way.
By embracing the unthinkable and breaking my own rules, I was able to push past my own roadblocks.
In conclusion
I’m so grateful for this opportunity to beta test the Lensbaby Obscura. I was able to push past my own self-limiting beliefs, and as a result, I have a LOT more compassion for the people who take my workshops and I have a better understanding of my own process. While this lens isn’t for everyone, the possibilities of the Obscura are amazing. I’ve seen fabulous portraits, architectural and landscape photos from my fellow photographers. For the vast majority of beta testers, this lens pushed them outside their comfort zones. It seems I wasn’t the only one who struggled. From what I can tell from the final images and launch videos, we all came out stronger for the experience.
Whether or not you decide to add this very distinct art lens to your kit, I hope you will find opportunities to challenge yourself photographically. It’s never comfortable, but by embracing the challenge, you may come out the other side stronger and more confident.
If you have challenged yourself photographically, I invite you to share your experience below and tell me how it changed you.
I find pinhole a tough one to slide into. I’m still working on it. But as i enjoy lofi images I’m not unhappy with the possibilities. New lenses really do push us. Well done not giving up!
Matthew I agree, pinhole is a tough esthetic to slide into. its so specific and distinct its hard to find a unique voice. But like you I find the low-fi possibilities intriguing. Lets see where this takes us…. And thanks! Challenges feel good, but only when you’re out the other side. 😀
Every new Lens I get always has a learning curve to find the best way to use it. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses.
I recently acquired a bokeh monster of a lens, the Pentacon 135mm f2.8. The thing is built like a tank. When paired with an adapter to my Fuji XE4 it makes the camera extremely front heavy. The bokeh is unmatched though with a 15 blade aperture that makes the bokeh shapes super round.
I don’t think I like the look of pinhole photography. I guess it has its place and I’d probably use it to shoot old abandoned places; but for toys, this obscura is a bit too much on the obscure side for me.
Great job Shelly taking on the challenge and stretching yourself creatively. I think you pulled it off well. My favorite shot is the black and white with the dragon.
I
Joe you’re absolutely right that every lens has a learning curve. The funkier the lens, the steeper the curve! It sounds like you’ve found yourself a fun new toy! I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Lensbaby new when they released this lens that it would have limited appeal. I think that the folks who took the challenge and ran with it really showed its potential though. Ive been thinking how I can use this lens going forward and it definitly has a place. It makes some of the ideas Ive been kicking around for awhile possible. We shall see though where it leads me!
I love read this beta testing experience and feel inspired by yourself, who is so established but yet willing to take a step outside the comfort zone, and the results are beautifully different. True to being art lens, I feel the LB has provided an incredible tool for creative photographers wanting to have new parameters of limitations to work with. After scrolling through the samey images day in and out, this is so refreshing.
I might take a leaf out of Matthew’s pocket and DIY a pinhole for my Canon!
Thanks Janan for the vote of confidence. While I HATE going back to the beginner mind set, I found that by doing so it unlocked something else inside. Ive been stuck for awhile and now I feel that its time to make some movement. A funky lens, or moving into new territory is a great way to force the beginners mind set on your creative process. Its easy to stick to the tried and true. If you want to try your hand at true pinhole photography you can order a pinhole lens cap for your Canon. I have one and they work great. Super fun to think about photography in a new way. I found one that has a f/181! Now that is some depth of field!!
Dreamy images! How does this compare to their older pinhole insert?
Matt I think that is the number one question I heard during the roll out. Since I never had the first one I can’t tell you and most of the people working there weren’t answering the question. If Im going to guess the glass and the optic layering is much more sophisticated that the older version. The fact that you have three options of effect gives you much more to play with. The sieve is the biggest advance. It’s a layer of laser cut holes in metal overplayed on glass that gives the effect of pinhole. Super crazy effects in the specula highlights were you can see the pattern. Also on the Canon you get a purple vignette which is particular to that sensor. I only played with the 16mm and have no idea how the 50mm will be different. But if you’re looking for a unique look, this is the lens for you!
Thanks for sharing Shelly. Your images are terrific and I appreciate your willingness to share your vulnerability while learning.
Thanks so much Carol! When I pitched my video subject to Michael I told him that it was a roller coaster ride. He failed to mention that I wasn’t the only one. I wish I has known sooner how much we all struggled. I think that no one wanted to share that in the beta test group. Plus the images that were be posted in there where super intimidating!! So many excellent LB photographers out there!!
Great article. Shelly! I am fascinated by the Obscura but will have to wait awhile but I also like the suggestion that we need to get out of our comfortable photo ruts and try new things.
Thanks Mary! This experience confirmed for me that Im first and foremost a photographer. Toys second! It was good (albeit painful) to stretch as a photographer. Now to do something new and interesting with what I learned!!
No wonder you’ve been on a muppet kick! ? I wouldn’t have doubted you’d be able to make amazing images with that lens. You’re a pro and one of the most creative people I know.
Thanks for the foldable tripod tip! I had been researching similar options (back in the day) but gave up. But I’m getting back into it again!
Leila Those Muppets I purchased back during the Seattle Toy meet-up finally came in handy! Its been a blast photographing them! When I first was offered the lens I had no doubt I could handle it. It was humbling to struggle as much as I did. It was a good lesson for now and into the future.
Man – that stand!! While not technically a trip-pod, Ive had more people ask about it than the actually lens! Bwahahahaha! Its strong enough for a slider, so will work great for video as well. Love, love, love it!!!