Lensbaby Lens Hacks Series Part 2: OMNI Flare Expansion Pack
In Part 2 of the Lensbaby Lens Hacks series, we’re turning up the drama—literally—with the OMNI Flare Expansion Pack. These hand-held or mounted filters add light streaks, bursts, and unexpected atmosphere to your images. In this post, I’ll walk you through the flare elements I use most, how they interact with light, and how they’ve become a go-to part of my creative toolkit.
Missed Part 1? Start here with Easy Ways to Use OMNI Filters
Welcome to Part 2 of the Lensbaby Lens Hacks series. In this installment, we're exploring the OMNI Flare Expansion Pack—a set of handcrafted glass wands designed to infuse your images with dynamic light effects. Whether you're aiming for subtle glows or dramatic flares, these tools offer a versatile way to enhance your creative photography.
Discovering the Flare Expansion Pack
As a longtime Lensbaby enthusiast, I was thrilled to beta test this expansion pack. Each wand is meticulously crafted in Oregon City, ensuring durability and a unique touch to your photography. Measuring approximately 4.5 inches, they're compact enough to fit in a small bag or pocket—perfect for on-the-go shooting.
OMNI Flare Expansion set: Saber, Zig-Zag, Prism Flare and Anamorphic Raindrop (from left to right)
Meet the Wands
The Flare Expansion Pack includes four distinct wands, each offering unique light manipulation capabilities.
Saber Wand
Think of the Saber like a painter’s brush for light. Depending on how you rotate or tilt it, it can create soft impressionistic reflections or long, clean light streaks that stretch across the frame. I love how it adds elegance without overpowering the scene—it’s subtle, but magical.
Zig-Zag Wand
This one’s full of drama—in the best way! The Zig-Zag Wand produces bold, explosive flares that look like tiny bursts of fireworks. You can control how intense the effect is by rotating or repositioning the wand. It’s my go-to when I want energy and movement in a static scene.
Prism Flare Wand
Light hits this wand and splits into delicate little rainbows—sometimes obvious, sometimes just a whisper. It creates a prism effect that comes and goes as you rotate it, which makes it feel like the photo is alive and shifting. It adds just enough wonder without overwhelming your composition.
Anamorphic Raindrop Wand
This wand is the most unique in the pack. The rounded “raindrop” on the tip creates a beautiful soft distortion where you can focus light and bend shapes. Meanwhile, the body of the wand stretches out highlights into glowing cinematic flares. I often use it for storytelling—it adds emotion and mood instantly.
Practical Tips
Portability: I often carry these wands in a fanny pack, making it easy to add sparkles to my images spontaneously.
Mounting: Using the OMNI filter system's magnetic arms can help recreate specific effects consistently, especially useful for series or client work.
Visual Examples: Here are some examples showcasing the effects of each wand
Saber Wand
Zig-Zag Wand
Prism Flare Wand
Anamorphic Raindrop Wand
Conclusion
The OMNI Flare Expansion Pack is a valuable addition to any photographer's toolkit, offering lightweight, sturdy, and versatile options to enhance your images with creative light effects. If you experiment with these wands, I'd love to see your results! Next up in the series, we’ll shift focus to how OMNI Filters interact with natural light—from golden hour to overcast days—and how each condition opens up different moods and textures.
Explore the Full Series:
👉 Part 1: Easy Ways to Use Your OMNI Filters
Tips for handheld, mounted, and hybrid use + practical setup insights.👉 Part 2: OMNI Flare Expansion Pack (you’re here!)
Explore expressive wands like Prism Flare, Saber, and Zig-Zag, with visual examples.
👉 Part 3: OMNI Filters and Natural Light
How changing light throughout the day transforms your OMNI results.
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