X

Lensbaby Edge 80 photos and photo samples

The Epic 80 optic looks like Lensbaby's best-designed lens to date.

Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Lori Grunin
edge80-5.png
1 of 11 Lori Grunin/CNET

Sliver of focus

You can get a pretty narrow area of focus when shooting wide open.
edge80-4.png
2 of 11 Lori Grunin/CNET

Bokeh

The 12-bladed aperture renders lovely, oval out-of-focus highlights in the distorted areas.
edge80-2.png
3 of 11 Lori Grunin/CNET

Fringing

Unfortunately, fringing on high-contrast edges is an inevitable result of purposely introducing distortion.
edge80-1.png
4 of 11 Lori Grunin/CNET

Diagonal focus

You can angle the area of sharpness for some interesting effects.
edge80-3.png
5 of 11 Lori Grunin/CNET

Clarity

The lens is bright, with good light transmission.
lensbaby80mm_01.jpg
6 of 11 Sarah Tew/CNET

Large

The Edge 80 optic works with several of the Lensbaby systems, including Composer, Muse, Scout, and Control Freak. I tested it with the Composer Pro. The optic itself is one of the largest, and doesn't collapse completely into the body the way some of the others do. In part that's because of the built-in macro extension tube.
lensbaby80mm_801.jpg
7 of 11 Sarah Tew/CNET

Macro

Pulling on the edge around the lens extends the lens to enable closer focus, though I wish it were closer than 17 inches. It does support the recently announced 46mm macro converters, though.
lensbaby80mm_02.jpg
8 of 11 Sarah Tew/CNET

Aperture ring

Unlike the sometimes overly convoluted designs for changing apertures in previous Lensbaby optics, the Edge 80 offers the best design to date: a wide, rubberized old-fashioned aperture ring. The narrower rubber ring focuses.
lensbaby80mm_03.jpg
9 of 11 Sarah Tew/CNET

Tilt

The hallmark of the Lensbaby system is the ability to tilt in any direction.
lensbaby80mm_05.jpg
10 of 11 Sarah Tew/CNET

Aperture

The Edge 80 has a 12-bladed circular aperture.
lensbaby80mm_04.jpg
11 of 11 Sarah Tew/CNET

Easy removal

The other welcome design update is the easier removal of the optic from the body. You just set the aperture to f2.8 and match the dots, then press in and rotate toward the open circle.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos