For a long time, photographers have appreciated the use of selective focus. Some achieve it through extremely shallow depth of field while others use expensive tilt shift lenses. Those who are gluttons for punishment (myself included) still shoot with large format cameras. However, over the past few years, Lensbaby has made all of this easier for DSLR shooters. Over time, the system has advanced to the point where users can pick their favorite lenses and optics to use in combination. (A while back I wrote an entirely too long and detailed post about a very simple product, the Lensbaby Composer and Optic Swap system.) The "Sweet 35" is the most recent addition to Lensbaby's arsenal of optics. I took one out for a spin last week in Morristown, New Jersey. Here are my thoughts and some sample images.
[caption id="attachment_3264" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="The aperture ring on the Sweet 35 can turn back and forth freely or be pressed down and turned for hard stops."]
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The Lensbaby Sweet 35 drops into your Muse, Composer, or Control Freak just like any other Optic Swap system accessory would. Unlike previous Lensbaby optics, however, the Sweet 35 has a focal length of 35mm. This is beneficial for DSLR shooters that use APS crop bodies. I always found the 50mm length to be a little too "tight" for crop cameras. People will argue about what good focal lengths are all day long, but having a choice is nice. Just like many of the other Lensbaby products, there are limited movements when using the Sweet 35. If Lensbaby wanted to make a product with more coverage for full frame sensors, the lens would have to be bigger, which means more expensive as well. Since 90% of potential Lensbaby customers shoot on crop bodies, I understand why the lens is designed this way.
The free spinning aperture ring on the Lensbaby Sweet 35 is perhaps the most anticipated feature. Past Lensbaby products, even the highly regarded Composer, have very crude control over aperture settings. Having to remove and replace a disk with a little magnet isn't exactly the way to shoot "on the go". It works for most people, but is a serious limitation to certain types of photography. So the built-in 12 blade aperture system is a pleasant surprise. I always figured Lensbaby would make a solution (shorter focal length) for crop cameras, but I expected it to come with another set of aperture discs! My one complaint about this set up is the position of the ring. After the Sweet 35 is dropped into place and locked, the aperture ring is on the side of the lens. I know Lensbaby likes to be different, but it wouldn't hurt to be consistent with about every other lens that's ever been made for an SLR by having the aperture control on top of the lens. Additionally, when focusing on a subject farther away, the lens naturally recedes back into the lens barrel. This makes changing the aperture impossible. So in order to change the aperture, you need to refocus and then adjust. These are just a few small nuances I noticed while using the product. All online reviews are going to be the same if you just compare product specs. Reading about how a product feels/operates in the hands of a photographer is what I believe counts.
In terms of image quality, I would say that the Sweet 35 is very similar to the Double Glass optic that Lensbaby offers. It is sharp in the center when stopped down a little. Look, this isn't a 70-200 f/2.8L lens, but it is definitely sharp enough to print! Wide open, it gives the typical "dreamy" Lensbaby look, even in the center. I am not sure why the Sweet 35 is slightly slower than the composer, but f/2.5 is fast enough for shooting in reasonable lighting conditions.
Overall, the Sweet 35 is a nice accessory for Lensbaby owners who need a wider angle of view. It's a more expensive solution than some are willing to pay for, but it is a very innovative product and a very good solution for those who don't own full frame cameras. Full frame shooters can use the Sweet 35 as well, but don't expect full coverage with extreme lens movements.
Another key aspect of the Sweet 35 is the video potential it has when used with a DSLR that has HD video recording. Videographers already have enough stuff to schlep around while on location, so the little aperture discs in other Lensbaby products could quickly become irritating.
Here are some samples I took while briefly testing out the Lensbaby Sweet 35 on a Nikon D3s.
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