Lensbaby Lens Hacks Series Part 2: OMNI Flare Expansion Pack
Exciting news!
Lensbaby released a new OMNI filter expansion set.
Luckily I was able to beta test them and these are my initial thoughts:
I can honestly say that this product is one of my all-time favorites from Lensbaby. Those of you who have followed me for a while know that I’ve loved and used Lensbaby products long before becoming an ambassador for the brand; so when I say that this product is worth the money, I mean it. They are well-made and a great way to switch up your style without much effort. My personal favorite is the Zig-Zag wand, but each wand has its own interesting effect that is fun to explore.
As a bit of background for those of you that haven’t heard about the wands yet, these little gems are made of glass and produced in Oregon City. Each wand is handmade. Lensbaby claims that this is the best pack they have made yet, and I have to agree with them. In your package you will find four individual glass wands, each one feeling durable and solid. This is nice because it’s not as easy to drop them accidentally, which unfortunately happened sometimes with the original OMNI Filters. They are 4.5 inches long (about as long as a roll of toilet paper is wide) and fit nicely into a small bag or pocket. That’s super important to me because I hate fumbling through a backpack when I want a quick shot!
This is what they look like:
OMNI Flare Expansion set: Saber, Zig-Zag, Prism Flare and Anamorphic Raindrop (from left to right)
• Saber: Brush highlights in impressionistic reflections while varying the length of streaky flare that shortens and lengthens when rotated
• Zig-Zag: Make explosions of light while creating effects ranging from subtle to over-the-top based on the rotation and placement of its curves.
• Prism Flare: Apply a prism effect to your stretched points of light, splitting them into tiny bits of rainbows that come and go when rotated.
• Anamorphic Raindrop: The “Raindrop” at the end for selective distortion, while the body of the wand making cinematic flare out of your highlights.
Each of the new wands is compatible with the OMNI filter system. Personally, I just carry them in my fanny pack wherever I go so I can add some sparkles to my pictures easily. The filter system is a nice tool when you need to create the same effect multiple times.
Here are a few examples of the effects the wands create:
Hermosa Beach Pier, CA, Saber wand effect
Sunset at Hermosa Beach, CA, Zig-Zag-wand effect
Surfer in California; Prism Flare effect
Lifeguard Tower, Anamorphic Raindrop wand
In conclusion, these little glass wands are the ultimate tool for the color- and effect-loving photographer. Having these lightweight, sturdy, and versatile wands in your bag is like magic dust at your fingertips. If you buy these, send me the pictures you take! I’d love to see how your work turns out. If you’re interested, you can buy the wands here.
This post is part of a blog circle. The next one in our loop is Jillian Faulkner, a Newborn, Child and Family Photographer in Calgary who wrote about a recent outdoor photo session!
Lensbaby Lens Hacks Series Part 3: OMNI Filter
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