Lensbaby Spark 2.0 versus the Composer Pro: Are Both Worth Buying?
There’s something magical about the moment a lens changes not just how you shoot—but how you see.
For me, that moment came with the Lensbaby Composer Pro. It was the first lens that truly invited me into the world of creative blur, tilt, and selective focus. Through the Composer, I fell in love with the Lensbaby Optic Swap system and discovered a kind of freedom I hadn't known in my photography until then.
And just when I thought that experience couldn’t be topped, along came the Lensbaby Spark 2.0.
When I first held it, I couldn’t help but laugh. It looked like a garden hose—bendy, wobbly, and without a single defined setting. No dials. No rings. Nothing to lock into place. You simply squeeze and tilt until you reach the focus you want. It’s wildly unconventional—and that’s exactly what makes it so exhilarating to use.
In this post, I’ll share how these two creative tools compare—not in a specs-versus-specs way, but in terms of feeling, flow, and the kind of photography they invite. If you’re torn between the Composer Pro and the Spark 2.0, or just curious about what makes each lens unique, this is for you.
Also: If you’re new to the Optic Swap System, start with my deep dive into how it works and why it matters.
Here’s a quick comparison of Lensbaby's two creative systems, the Composer Pro and the Spark 2.0 with the Edge 50 optic.
When Lensbaby introduced the Spark 2.0, I was instantly intrigued. It’s another tilt lens—similar in spirit to the Composer Pro, but wildly different in design and experience. Before I start, I think it would be important to mention that the Spark 2.0 is an upgrade from the Spark 1, the only difference being that the Spark 2.0 allows you to change the aperture. While the v.1 has fixed f/5.6 aperture, the Spark 2.0 features a f/2.5-22 adjustable aperture range and a 12-blade diaphragm. The Spark 2.0 can be ordered with the Sweet 50 optic or without an optic and is fully compatible with the Optic Swap System. This gives you more options in the kind of pictures you can take with it, and it upgrades the lens to the level of the Composer Pro, of which you can also change the aperture.
Differences
Although the Spark 2.0 and Composer Pro seem very similar, they have a few big differences that are important to consider when choosing one to buy. The Spark 2.0 is very versatile and flexible, making it the perfect creative tool. When you move it around, it continues to bend. On the other hand, the Composer Pro is a more traditional lens and when you set it to a setting, it stays in that setting until you change it. A good way to explain this difference is by thinking of the Spark as watercolor and the Composer as a pencil. The watercolor is unpredictable and constantly changing, whereas the pencil is more steady and does exactly what you expect. Both are creative tools, but the watercolor allows more creative freedom and the pencil is easier to control.
Another factor is the speed of the lens: with the Spark, taking photos is incredibly quick and intuitive, and the Composer is a little slower and more thoughtful. The Composer requires more deliberate action and thought since you have to plan your shot specifically. Staying true to their names, the Spark is like a burst of creativity that can be used in an instant, and the Composer is more like carefully designing a photo.
The last difference I find worth mentioning is the weight of both lenses. The Spark is much lighter than its counterpart, making it easier to travel with and more spontaneous. However, both are manageable and are very comfortable in your hands.
Similarities
As different as they are, the lenses are still super similar. With both lenses it can be incredibly difficult to find the focus. The Composer was a little easier to handle when trying to set the focus at the outer edge of the frame, but in the end it depended on the specific photo setting with both systems. While this might sound intimidating, I also want to point out that both lenses are fantastic tools to create dreamy and painterly looking pictures. There really was not a huge difference in the lenses, so when deciding which lens you want, it comes down to user preference: you have to ask yourself if you are looking for something steady and controlled or something super flexible and artistic.
Opinion
The Composer Pro is a wonderful entry point into Lensbaby’s Optic Swap System, but the Spark is a truly awesome way to further your creativity and your photographic skills. Personally, I enjoyed the Spark more because I prefer to create very dreamy pictures over pictures with a lot of focus. I would say that the Composer is a fun entry-level model, but if you are looking for something really exciting and different, I would recommend the Spark 2.0!
Comparison in Pictures
The following pictures were taken at the same time and location for comparison, with the photos on the left having been taken with the Composer Pro and those on the right with the Spark 2.0. They really show how similar the two lenses are and how minute the effect is.
Left: Composer Pro / Right: Spark 2.0
In both pictures I tried to focus on the leaves of the tree on the left side. While the Composer Pro allowed exact focus it was a little more difficult with the Spark. The effect of the Spark is beautiful but - as expected - a little less exact.
In this set of pictures I was able to achieve focus as planned. While both pictures are pretty, I personally prefer the effect on the right hand picture that I took with the Spark. The light is a tad more dramatic and the blur is more intense..
To my surprise in this example the Spark (right hand picture) created better focus than the Composer.
The picture on the left is a good example for how the Composer Pro performs a little better when you want to set the focus to an outer edge of the frame. In both cases I’ve tried to get the palm trees in focus. You can see the aforementioned “watercolor effect” of the Spark in the right picture; it blends things together more and creates a softer, more unexpected look.
The picture on the left has more focus in subjects. The people and the clouds are detailed, while the picture on the right (taken with the Spark) is a little softer if you look at the clouds in the sky. They both had a good focus, however, which impressed me!
Both the Composer Pro and the Spark 2.0 hold a special place in my heart. The Composer gave me the control and flexibility I needed to discover my creative voice. The Spark reminded me how much fun it is to let go.
I don’t use either of them every single day—but every time I do, I walk away feeling more connected to my creativity.
If you’re looking for a way to rekindle your curiosity, to surprise yourself, or to break out of your usual way of seeing—both lenses are worth exploring. And if you already own one, I invite you to try the other. You might be surprised by what it unlocks.