Lensbaby is known for making unconventional lenses that create unusual defocused areas, and the Spark is no exception. The Spark 2.0 adds support for eight mounts, both DSLR and mirrorless, as well as 15 optics introduced since 2008.
The Spark 2.0 draws on the design from Lensbaby’s original lens the company introduced in 2004. The company calls the focusing system “dance-like,” but it’s more akin to how you might envision compressing a spring-loaded hose. Rather than the conventional method of twisting a dial to adjust manual focus, the Spark 2.0 is focused by adding or reducing pressure on that hose. The amount of dramatic blur that is introduced can also be controlled by tilting the hose in any direction.
The original Spark hit the market in 2008 and has “been used in motion pictures and video productions ranging from the academy award-nominated film, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, to music videos, to a host of currently streaming TV series on Netflix, HBO, Amazon and Hulu.”
Upgrades to the Spark 1.0, introduced in 2012, include a 12-blade adjustable aperture with settings from f/2.5-22, improved compatibility with past and future optics swap optics, and availability with metal camera mounts for most interchangeable lens systems.
The Spark 2.0 is the first flexible Lensbaby lens body available for mirrorless camera systems. Lensbaby is offering the Spark 2.0 in Canon EF, Canon RF, Fuji X, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon F, Nikon Z, Sony E, and Pentax K mount options. The DSLR version of the Lensbaby Spark 2.0 measures 3 x 1.4 inches and weighs 0.3 pounds. The mirrorless version of the Spark 2.0 measures 3 x 3.4 inches and weighs 0.4 pounds.
The Lensbaby Spark is available for $199.95. For more information on the Lensbaby Spark 2.0 visit the company’s website.
Author: Jaron Schneider
Source: Petapixel
