A unique short telephoto with distinct classic appeal, the black Pentax K-mount Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Pentax Kfrom Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Pentax Kproduces a mid-20th century-inspired image quality that is well-suited to portraiture. Characterized by a smooth, glowing aesthetic, this lens's softness can be controlled by stopping down in order to produce a range of effects from soft and dreamy to sharper and crunchier at smaller apertures. A 12-blade diaphragm also contributes to the lens's aesthetic, and helps to produce a smooth bokeh quality to suit shallow depth of field imagery. Additionally, the manual focus design affords a working distance of 9.5" with a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:2 to benefit working with close-up subjects.

K-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format    Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16    Soft Glowing Effect at Wide Apertures    Inspired by Classic Portrait Lenses    1:2 Magnification, 9.5" Working Distance    Manual Focus Design    12-Blade Diaphragm

Short telephoto portrait-length lens is designed for full-frame Pentax K-mount DSLRs, however it can also be used with APS-C models where it provides a 127.5mm equivalent focal length.

Bright f/1.8 maximum aperture affords greater control over depth of field for working with shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques, and also benefits working in low-light conditions.

Inspired by classic portrait lenses from the mid-20th century, this lens is designed to produce an ethereal glowing quality with soft, smooth tonality that is well-suited to portraiture.

Softness can be controlled by stopping-down the lens: when stopped-down to f/16, the image exhibits a smooth quality with greater central sharpness.

A working distance of 9.5" along with a 1:2 reproduction ratio suits working with close-up subjects.

Manual focus design with a smooth, dampened focusing movement is complemented by engraved focus distance indicators.

A 12-blade diaphragm contributes to a smooth bokeh quality that is ideal for selective focus imagery.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. How does this lens work with the NIKON D90?

A: The Lensbaby Velvet 28mm f/2.5 Lens for Nikon F (Silver) would be compatible for use with the Nikon D90 DSLR camera. Do note that the Lensbaby Velvet 28mm f/2.5 Lens for Nikon F (Silver) is a fully manual lens with no electronic contacts on the lens. As such, you would not have aperture control using the dials on the camera body, so you will need to use the aperture ring built onto the ring. EXIF data and metering data will not transferred from the lens to the camera..

Q: 2. Where is this lens manufactured??

A: This was made in China.

Q: 3. My in camera vibration reduction is not working with my old Lensbaby Velvet 56. I am using the FTZ adaptor. Will the Velvet 85 work so I can turn on my VR in my Nikon Z7ii camera?

A: Non-CPU lenses require manual input of lens data (Focal length & Max Aperture) to enable VR stabilization on the Z7 II camera. You also check the camera menu under Photo Shooting Menu; Vibration--you can set the VR to Normal, Sport, or Off.

Q: 4. Will this lens work on a Canon 5D Mk 4 in Aperture Priority mode or only in Manual?

A: Being that this lens lacks any type of electronic contacts, it can only be used in manual mode along with your 5D Mark IV, including manual focus.

Q: 5. I assume this a totally manual lens and that for a current digital camera, you would need to use the aperture or manual exposure setting? I'm from the generation that would feel comfortable with manual focus and would be interested to hear about the experience of others with this type of lens.

A: Hi Tim, Yes this is a manual focus lens. On your Canon camera you should be able to shoot in either Aperture Priority mode or Manual mode. I'll let others comment on their experiences with the lens. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Q: 6. What size filter thread for the Velvet 85mm?

A: Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Lens with Copper Rings (Micro Four Thirds, Black) has front thread of 67mm for filters and caps.

Q: 7. Wouldn't I be able to get the same effect using a filter on my 28mm lens?

A: It might be possible to find a similar filter but it would be hard. Specially an effect where the subject looks soft and the background highlights look rounded and bloomed.

Q: 8. Does this lens transmit lens focal length and f-stop to z bodies?

A: The Lensbaby Velvet 28mm f/2.5 does not have electrical contacts so it will not transmit exposure information to the camera. The camera would need to be set to Aperture or Manual exposure modes.

Q: 9. I have zero experience with the Lensbaby line... input please on if you'd think it would work well for portraits?

A: It is a matter of opinion but I find the Lensbaby lenses are best used as a more experimental lens. It is manual focus. For shooting portraits professionally, I would recommend an auto focus Canon 85mm as a main lens and consider a Lensbaby as a secondary experimental lens.

Q: 10. Will this lens fit a nikon Z fs, do i need an extra adaptor?

A: The Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Nikon Z (Black) fits direct on to a Nikon Zfc Mirrorless Camera.