At PMA 2007 Lensbabies introduced the medium format version of its third-generation
selective focus lens for Mamiya 645 and Pentax 67 cameras. That's right
kiddies, it's a new lens that's engineered for use with medium format
film (remember that stuff?) cameras.
The optic in the Medium Format Lensbaby 3G produces the same effects as the
optic in the Ed Wood-styled Lensbaby 3G for SLR cameras except that it's
optimized for the specific camera body. The Lensbaby 3G for the Mamiya 645 features
an 80mm fixed focal length and aperture settings from f/3.4 to f/39, although
changing them requires a special tool (it's included) and not the familiar
"let's rotate the aperture ring" procedure. The Lensbaby 3G
for Pentax 67 cameras has a 100mm fixed focal length and has apertures from
f/4 to f/45. Both the Mamiya and Pentax versions use magnetic apertures marked
with the f/number that's especially useful for cameras without in camera
metering. After all, a Lensbaby does not electronically communicate with the
camera body.
Previous babies had you shift the in-focus area by bending the flexible lens
tube in any direction. But you had to hold it there. The Lensbaby 3G medium
format lens, like the latest one for 35mm and digital SLRs, allows photographers
to lock the Lensbaby in a desired position by simply pressing a button to place
the "sweet spot"--a term the babies just love--of sharp
focus. Then, using a traditional barrel focus mechanism you can fine-tune focusing
before pressing the shutter release. The upside of all the added mechanical
complexity is repeatability. Studio photographers who need to be able to repeat
Lensbaby-style photos can get it exactly right each time. Not only that, outdoor
and nature photographers can shoot longer exposures than possible with the Original
Lensbaby or Lensbaby 2.0.
In The Field
Shooting with the Medium Format Lensbabies takes practice and patience. Shooting
with a film camera increases the learning curve for a digital photographer who
may have never shot the good old stuff. While you can see the effect in the
viewfinder, you still must have the film processed before you can learn to make
any real adjustments in your technique. You can control the size of the sharpest
area and overall blur by replacing the magnetic aperture ring--it looks
like a washer--with another one. Depending on the aperture and the focusing
screen used, focusing with the Pentax 6x7 can be a challenge and for a couple
of examples, some of which are pictured here, I just gave up and let it be,
as The Beatles sang so long ago.
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I've always been a pictorialist at heart. Photographic fashions
may come and go but I like the way the Medium Format Lensbaby 3G
lens creates the kind of soft focus look beloved of pictorialists
in the 1920s. Using black and white film, such as Fuji's Neopan
1600, adds to the pictorial and nostalgic effect.
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For a series of photographs made at Barr Lake State Park I used
Fuji's PRO 160S film and a Medium Format Lensbaby 3G mounted
on a Pentax 6x7. I had a heck of a time focusing at f/16 so I decided
not to worry and went for the Impressionistic effect.
All Photos © 2007, Joe Farace, All Rights Reserved |
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Depending on the camera you use and the lighting conditions, you'll
have to experiment, but in general I found that when using the Pentax 6x7 the
f/8 aperture ring was easiest. I focused with the lens' barrel focus mechanism
and my camera's microprism collar focusing screen. I would love to try
some of the smaller apertures such as f/32 or f/45 and am considering switching
the Pentax's screen to one of the brighter Beattie Intenscreens (www.display-optics.com)
to make the process a little easier. Serious Lensbaby shooters will want to
do likewise. There are six Beattie Intenscreen models available, although compensation
may be required when using the AE prismfinder and not all are compatible with
the Pentax 67II. (See "Pentax 6x7 Lineage.")
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