[0.5x] Knowing this was a favorite lens of two awesome flower photographers in Anne Belmont and Kathleen Clemons I just had to try this lens. I already had the Lensbaby Velvet 56 but to be honest had not mastered that lens to my satisfaction. I decided to buy the Velvet 85 after spending more time with my Velvet 56. I love the backgrounds that are created by the Velvet 85. I am still in the learning stages of it but from my playing with it I really do love it so far. I am not into portrait photography but this lens can also be used for that. I definitely recommend this lens.

[Manual Focus] This is a very versatile, very well made lens. I like apertures f 2.8/4.0/5.6. These apertures afford great soft focus and excellent Bokeh. Beyond f 8.0, the lens gets very sharp. The attached head shot of the elderly lady (my dear mother-in-law) was shot at f 4.0.The photo of her with our dog was shot at f 5.6. The photo of the flower was shot between f 11.0 and f 16.0. Thanks go to Lenbaby and B&H!

[12] I have a large number of lenses, but this one gives me the most pleasure. I'm always excited to use it because I'm constantly learning more about its capabilities and how to best exploit them.
One thing's for sure, you can't judge this lens by the usual standards. However, in terms of sturdiness, this lens is built like a tank.
The lens has good sharpness, but it's not extreme. This can be a good thing for portrait photography. The wider the aperture, the creamier the bokeh becomes, to the point where it can be dizzying.
If you're looking to try something different in photography, I recommend it.

[f/16] I have been a fan of Lensbaby lenses for years and the Velvet 85 is no exception. This lens gives the entire image a soft pleasing glow - the entire image as this is not a elective focus lens. You dial in that amount of glow with aperture. As you stop down you can get get quite sharp images but the point of the lens is to open up your aperture to the point of soft glow you feel the subject requires. As with all Lensbaby lenses there is a learning curve - don't give up too early.


Since the image you are trying to achieve has a soft glow, optimal focus can be tricky to achieve with this manual focus lens. I am using it on a Canon R5. Focus peaking on mirrorless camera really helps with focusing. It's still early days for me but I am really enjoying shooting with this lens. You can dial in the glow effect from almost non existent to full throttle at f1.8. This is a substantial lens so be prepared to carry some weight but I have not found this to be an issue. Loving the velvet glow.

[1.61 lb] I have only used this lens a couple of times and there is definitely a learning curve involved in getting images that I an hoping for. Lens seems to be in good working order and tutorials online are a great help.

[Canon EF] The 85mm does a great job on my Fuji GFX50s II with an adapter. The F.1.8 really allows you to use a high shutter speed making it easy to handhold. At 1.8 through about 4 the lens gives you a smooth, dreamy look. After that it is quite sharp. Nice feel and the Macro feature allows you to get REAL close. Very satisfied with the lens...and as always...with B and H!

[f/1.8] There is a learning curve as Anne Belmont describes in using the Velvet 85 lens. The lens operates smoothly and beautifully and makes tack sharp images when stopping down or soft images when wide open. I feel some jiggle on my Sony E mount but there is no light leak. I have also used it with extenders but prefer without them.

[Full-Frame] I have a friend that got me into the extreme close up photography (or a least a chance to get started) and this guy really does the job. It is a manual focus but the pictures are really spectacular.

[Canon EF] My Lensbaby Velvet is
great so was the service. Received very quickley after ordering. Thanatos you

[Canon EF] This lens is not for everyone - it is for people who either see the world in a softer beautiful way or people who want to see it that way. It gives you the ability to focus on a specific area of the image while gradually and softly blurring out the rest of the image and creating a beautiful glow. The aperture allows you to determine how much of the image is in focus. As you work with it I believe it will open up a new world of photography - but you have to learn how to use it and give it some time. Look at some of the great flower photographers and you will see how beautiful this, and other Lensbaby lenses, can make your images look. It can truly open up your creative side and for me it just makes photography fun.