I just got myself one of these things, along with a macro kit and the creative aperture kit, and I am so hopelessly in love with the silly thing.

For those of you who don't know what they are, lensbabies are a specialized kind of lens. They have a fixed focal point, and you actually manipulate the lens body to move it around and focus it. You get really organic pictures with a sort of faded out blur around the edges, and one "sweet spot" that's in focus. They're incredibly fun, if a bit hard to get used to.

You can read more about them online, as well as order them here - http://www.lensbabies.com

Some of the pics I've taken with mine can be found here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonypics/sets/72157603513263773/

They're not great so far, since I'm still getting the hang of it.

So, anyone else got one? Got an awesome photos to show off, or neat tips and tricks for it? :D

A few Lensbaby Pinky:st photos:

Awesome!

I should have guessed you'd have one, or at least have used one at some point, davidd. ;)

After I got my DSLR camera, I kept reading all these articles about expensive lenses where people agonized over microscopic differences in sharpness. Then I ran across a story about a plastic lens that's designed to take blurry pictures on purpose! I need one of these! I thought to myself. I think it was the irony of the whole concept that attracted me.

I don't use it enough, however. I really need to go out and practice more with it. I like the way the blur can create a simulated "movement" effect with still subjects. Pinkies in motion -- yay!

I have the macro attachment, but I usually use a 12mm extension tube instead to get the close-up shots. The result is the same: very close focus.

Hehe, I felt the same way. It's so contrary to everything I learned in school about taking pictures, and it produces such fabulous, organic, unexpected things.

I like my macro kit, but now I'm curious about looking into some extention tubes.