These lenses don’t easily fit into a category…but they offer either specialized abilities or just plain visual fun. It was a great year for offbeat lenses!
 Lensbaby (formerly known as Lensbabies) introduced three new lenses this year to replace their three original lenses, and one is weirder than the other–but weirdness is what Lensbaby does best. The Lensbaby Composer (shown) is an all-new lens that uses a ball and socket to rotate and finely-tune selective focus, and retains its position without a locking mechanism. The Muse replaces the Original Lensbaby and Lensbaby 2.0, and offers an Optic Swap system of four interchangeable optic options: Double Glass (similar to Lensbaby 2.0 and 3G), Single Glass (similar to the Original Lensbaby but at a faster f/2), Plastic (emulates the plastic lens look made famous by Holga and Diana cameras) and Pinhole/Zone Plate, which give users the option of f/177 pinhole photos or an f/19 Zone plate opening. Each optic is sold separately at prices ranging from $35 to $95 each. The Control Freak is an update of the Lensbaby 3G, with fine-tuning focus adjustment controls, adding the Optic Swap System.  2008 was also a good year if you were PC. No, we’re not talking about political correctness, but rather perspective control. Perspective Control lenses are used to photograph architecture and other applications where alignment between subject and film plane are critical. Nikon introduced two PC lenses, the 45mm f/4.8 ED and 85mm f/2.8D. Rodenstock surprised many by introducing the Digaron Shift + Tilt line of lenses: 40mm f/4, 80mm f/2.8, and 120mm f/4 Macro. We’re told the lenses will be available in Nikon and Canon DSLRs. If you’re a medium-format person, Hasselblad’s Tilt-Shift Adapter is designed for Hasselblad’s 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 80mm lenses, while Phase One’s 45mm f/3.5 TS Tilt-Shift lens, fits both PhaseOne and Mamiya medium-format cameras.  Now for the jaw-dropper: Leica announced the world’s first aspherical lens to have an aperture larger than f/1. The Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 comes in an M mount for Leica’s rangefinder cameras such as the M8. Keep in mind that f/1 is approximately what the human eye sees, so this lens is actually faster than the human eye. Leica claims the lens is optically similar to its 50mm f/1.4, considered one of the sharpest lenses ever. Price? Ten grand (special gift box included). |
