Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8

Leica L-Mount

Review

The Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 for Leica L mount offers a unique and artistic take on portrait photography, allowing photographers to produce beautiful, dreamy images with a distinctive character. This lens stands out due to its soft-focus qualities and pleasing bokeh, making it an intriguing option for anyone looking to add a creative touch to their work.

When you first handle the Velvet 85mm, you'll notice its solid and well-constructed body that feels comfortable in the hand. The lens has a vintage aesthetic with a sleek design that pairs beautifully with Leica cameras. At f/1.8, it can achieve a shallow depth of field that emphasizes subjects while softly blurring the background—ideal for portraits or detail shots.

One of the most notable features of this lens is its ability to create a unique 'Velvet' effect. This aesthetic comes from the lens's optical design, which adds a beautiful glow to highlights and enriches colors. This characteristic can elevate portraits, but it also means that this lens may not suit everyone’s style; photographers looking for clinical sharpness should be aware of its softer rendering.

Another notable quality is its versatility. While primarily seen as a portrait lens, the Velvet 85mm can also be used for various other genres such as still life, macro, and landscapes. Its close focusing capability allows photographers to get creative with their compositions, making it a worthy addition to any photographer's toolkit.

However, it's worth noting that the Velvet 85mm isn’t inherently sharp across all apertures, particularly wide open. Some users might find that they need to stop down to achieve the desired sharpness, especially for critical focus situations. Additionally, as it is a manual focus lens, it requires a bit more patience and care, which may not be ideal for fast-paced shooting scenarios.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Beautiful soft-focus and creamy bokeh for a dreamy aesthetic.
• Solid construction with a vintage look and feel.
• Versatile for various photography styles beyond portraits.
• Close focusing capability for creative compositions.

Cons

• Softness at wide apertures may not suit all photographic styles.
• Manual focus can be challenging in fast-paced situations.
• Limited sharpness wide open, requiring stopping down for best results.

Verdict

The Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 for Leica L mount is a compelling option for photographers drawn to a creative and artistic approach. With its dreamy rendering, versatile capabilities, and aesthetic quality, it can produce stunning images that stand out from the standard fare. However, those needing precision and sharpness may find it lacks in certain aspects. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for photographers who appreciate experimental techniques and want to introduce a unique flair to their work.