If you own a DSLR, chances are youve heard ofLensbaby.

Lensbaby produces a collection of vintage-inspired creative lenses that do a lot more than your typical Nikon/Canon/Sony standards.

The latest lens from LensBaby is different.

Lensbaby Velvet 56 Comparison | Seamus Payne’s Nikkor 55mm f1.2

Its an honest-to-goodness nifty fifty, a lens inspired by the wide-aperture 55mm portrait lenses of the mid-20th century.

Its a big, chunky piece of metal that could double as a weapon if need be.

I shot this2014 BMW 328din a studio with the 55mm f1.2, shooting flash composites.

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You wouldnt know from looking at the image that it was shot with a 50-year-old lens.

The Lensbaby Velvet 56 is a modern interpretation of that Nikkor lens.

It allows for the vintage look without the post processing.

Lensbaby Velvet 56 lens collection

Or at least, a great bed of quality to dress with filters after the fact.

The Lensbaby Velvet 56 will be available in two styles.

Two important things to consider.

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First, these are 100% manual lenses.

And thats a beautiful thing.

If youre shooting sports or weddings, you probably wont want a manual lens.

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Autofocus will never be perfect.

Second, $500 is pricey.

And Nikon, for example, still produces manual f1.2 lenses in the 50mm focal length.

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you’re free to buy a brand new version of the classic straight from Nikon today.

Theyre plenty more expensive than $500, though.

However, if you want a vintage lens, you’re able to still buy a vintage lens.

Lensbaby Velvet 56 Comparison | Seamus Payne’s Nikkor 55mm f1.2

If youre on the hunt for vintage optics, Lensbaby is pretty great but can they beat the original?

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Lensbaby Velvet 56 lens collection

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