Are you looking for a lens that is as fun and versatile as you imagine? Meet the Lensbaby Trio 28 – a creative powerhouse that lets you explore the world in triplicate. Three lenses, endless possibilities, and all the inspiration you need in one compact package!
Who is lensbaby?
To understand this you have to understand the beginning of the company trio 28 and any lens From lensbabyBorn in 2004 by co-founder Craig Strong, who combined a vacuum hose with a Speed Graphic camera lens, the mission was simple: to bring art and creative, free-thinking photography to every photographer, regardless of skill level or equipment. . They started in Portland, Oregon and captured the attention of photographers with their groundbreaking lenses – lenses that challenged traditional photography and explored artistic possibilities through optics and accessories. Since 2004, Lensbaby has released some of the most unique and creative products, including the Spark, Composer Pro and Muse as well as optics such as the Double Glass, Sweet 35 and Twist 60. Later, standalone lenses were introduced, such as the Obscura 16, Sol 22, and Trio 28. Each offers photographers new ways to see the world, reimagine, and ultimately destroy their creativity. Traditional photography walls.
Introduction and Specifications
The Lensbaby Trio 28 is a pancake-style lens that features three different optic options in one lens – Twist, Velvet and Sweet – while allowing you to easily switch between all three with a twist of the barrel. You guessed it, the Trio 28 has a focal length of 28mm and is very light, with a total weight of 4.9 ounces / 139 grams. It has a fixed aperture of f/3.5, is manual focus only and has a filter size of 46 mm. The uniqueness factor of this lens comes from the three optics you can choose from by rotating the barrel.
- turn:The Twist uses a Petzval-inspired design, providing a central area of sharp focus surrounded by a swirl of twisting Bokeh.
- velvety: Creates a soft-focus effect with a dreamy center area and a delicate glow at the edges.
- Sweet: Provides a central spot of sharp focus surrounded by gradually increasing blur.
The best part is that they’re all in one lens, so you won’t have to fill your camera bag with lenses or filters.
The Trio 28 is compatible with 35mm full frame, APS-C and 4/3 cameras. It is currently offered in Canon RF, Canon M, Fuji X, Nikon Z, Sony E, Micro Four Thirds, and L mounts.
build quality
Overall, one can’t complain about the build quality of the lens for the price—$249.95. It weighs a little and is made of metal. You might think that a lens at this price would be made mostly of plastic, especially the lens mount. Being a Nikon user since 2004, I’m no stranger to plastic lens mounts, as Nikon has offered several to protect the affordability of their lenses. It’s only offered in chrome color, so if you like all-black lenses, you’re out of luck. but who cares?
My only complaint about the overall build quality is the front barrel that you twist to switch between three effects—Velvet, Twist, and Sweet. It is small and has a smooth surface, making it challenging to hold and turn. I would have liked to see the barrel larger and possibly include some rubber to make it easier to switch between the three effects. This is more difficult if you’re outside wearing gloves in the colder months or your hands are sweaty in the summer.
Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to remove.
-Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
image quality
If you are a photographer and are concerned about image quality in terms of sharpness, this lens is not for you. Not because the image quality of the lens is bad, but because you’re going to be chasing things the lens wasn’t designed for. You have to remember that this is a “creative” lens and it is designed for “creative” purposes. It is designed to create images that tear down the walls of traditional photography with sharpness. It creates beautiful pictures with the effect of lens. Now, the parts of your images that should be sharp are sharp, and I can’t complain. The challenge for any photographer who has never used a Lensbaby before will be to get over the fact that you won’t be able to get an image that’s sharp from edge to edge – that’s the point.
The limitations it presents
This lens has two big limitations: fixed focal length and f-stop. Is this a bad thing? No, for many people, the fixed focal length of 28mm means nothing; It’s no different from any other fixed focal length lens. Now, a fixed f-stop of f/3.5? This can also be a problem for some people. When I first bought this lens, I hated it – for two reasons: manual focus and fixed f/3.5. I felt like it caged me, and I couldn’t understand why a lens designed for creativity was hindering its sole purpose. I had to step back and finally realize it wasn’t the lens but me. I needed to relax, have fun, and look at things different from traditional photography. That’s when things changed; It had neither manual focus nor fixed aperture. The lens was serving its purpose, making me think and look at the images I created in a different and new way, while also reminding myself of what I always tell my advising students. : “When you’re uncomfortable, you’re learning!”
artistic appeal
How many times can you consider a lens from an aesthetic appeal standpoint? Only a few times, but trio 28 lens Bought for this reason only. It offers three lenses in one, and each effect has its own look and feel. Is this the lens you carry with you all day, every day? No, it’s a lens that’s very specific as to the lens and the community. There are online communities that focus solely on the artistic appeal of this lens, and rightfully so. I bought this lens because I was in a creative mindset and I should have taken my own advice that if you’re in trouble, buying new gear is not the way to fix that problem, but that’s for another day. I sat down and thought about what I wanted to do to get out of this problem, and that was to start making more “creative” images and how I would do that. Long story short, after much contemplation, I purchased the Trio 28 for artistic appeal. This would give me what I was looking for instead of sitting through the post process, adding blur, etc. I wanted my images to look different, and after scouring Lensbaby’s website, I found three looks I wanted but didn’t want to buy three lenses. I found two looks I liked – Sweet and Velvet – and even better, it was offered in one lens. I generally viewed Lensbaby as a “gimmick”. I think this was due to my closed mindset and the arrogant attitude of the photographer. Once I purchased the Trio 28, I fell in love and found a new love for imperfection and creativity. Ultimately, this led me to purchase the Sol 45!
What I like!
- Its simplicity, three effects and manual focus.
- I pushed my creative boundaries, which allowed me to look more creatively.
- Affordability—You can’t complain for $249.95.
what needs improvement
- Add rubber or some material so you can grip the barrel to change effects more quickly.
final thoughts
an affordable lens One that significantly expands creative thinking and exploration is undoubtedly a smart purchase. This lightweight lens offers three effects at once, making it a great deal. I’m excited I decided to invest in it, because it has expanded my creativity and allowed me to relax and experiment with my photography. It serves as a reminder that photography goes beyond technical aspects like f/1.2 aperture and the latest equipment. Instead, it revolves around self-expression and expressing your unique view of the world.
