Lensbaby Composer Pro w/Sweet 35

[Fireball]

Rented this from LensProToGo this weekend and am having quite the challenge learning to use it, especially since it's a set aperture and manual focusing. Should be a fun challenge!

Here's a few of some of my pets around the house.







Pretty nice bokeh!

[Fireball]

Okay, guess I'm missing something because you ARE supposed to be able to change the aperture. Mine just says 00. Hmm...

[Fireball]

Well call me a dummy, but I finally figured out the the aperture has to be changed manually on the end of the lens and that you can't trust your meter. Everything (including the shutter speed) is manual. This should be a great challenge!

[jeeper]

Originally Posted by Fireball

Everything (including the shutter speed) is manual.

You should be able to use it in Av. The camera doesn't necessarily have to know what aperture the lens is at - it's still going to meter for the light coming through it. It works with my Lensbaby Muse anyway.

Unless I'm in some environment where the light never changes, I usually switch it over to Av when I'm using the Lensbaby. Focusing can be tricky with them, so I like being able to give my full attention to that without having to watch the meter too.

The aperture will always say 00, on the camera LCD and in the exif. (There is no electrical connection between the body & lens, so as far as the camera knows - you don't even have a lens mounted.)

[Fireball]

Oh, I see. Thanks for the explanation Josh. It just seemed when I had it in AV mode that the pictures looked too dark. I'm so used to using manual only where I can control everything that this is a hard one to get used to. Got 3 more days to play so we'll see what I can come up with. :)

[jeeper]

If you try using it in Av, you might want to switch to center weighted or evaluative metering if you normally use spot. If the lighting is pretty consistent manual is probably better/easier though.

[TheFantasticG]

Very interesting. Keep us updated please.

[Fireball]

I normally use evaluative metering. I took it out again today and changed the aperture to 4.0 or 5.6. I'm starting to get the hang of tilting it a bit and seeing where the sweet spot is. Getting some very interesting shots.

I'm a card/scrapbook designer also and had dumped out a bunch of buttons on my desk and noticed the lady among them. Decided it might make a cool picture with this lens.



A few outdoors.







I really like these!