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Lensbaby Launches Omni Filter System
18 June 2019
Lensbaby has introduced its Omni Creative Filter System engineered "to create distinct and compelling in-camera effects," the company said. The system attaches any of several Effect Wands to a magnetic ring that screws into a len's filter threads.
Omni Filter System. With the Crystal Seahorse wand.
"Shooting through handheld objects can add something special," said Craig Strong, Lensbaby chief creative officer and co-founder, "but it's difficult to hold an object in front of your lens and achieve the desired effect, while also framing your subject and operating your camera.
"The Omni Creative Filter System puts unique, variable and repeatable in-camera effects right at the fingertips of video and still photographers. Omni's Effect Wands attach magnetically and can easily be manipulated, offering a simple, intuitive and elegant solution."
Kit. Three wands, the holder and the magnetic seats.
HOW IT WORKS
The Omni ingeniously provides that mythical third hand to position an Effect Wand over the front of the lens. And it does it simply without restricting the possible positions the Wand can occupy.
The holder is attached to one of two rings with additional step-up/step-down adapters that fit a particular lens's filter threads. Four magnetic paired seats attach to the holder with cupped seats to mount the wands, which each have a metal ball that fits the seat.
Omni System Filter. Image courtesy of Stephanie DeFranco.
By rotating the wand in the ball joint, you can position the wand anywhere you want it to get the effect you are looking for.
The holder itself does not rotate when attached but you can slide the magnetic seats anywhere along the holder.
EFFECT WANDS
Omni Effect Wands include:
- Crystal Seahorse: "With its multitude of angles and edge scallops, this uniquely shaped crystal offers endless possibilities for complex flare, light redirection and radiant reflections," the company said.
- Stretch Glass: "The large surface area of the Stretch Glass is excellent for creating bright stretches and streaks of light within an image. Shoot through the flat and curved sides or at an angle to achieve chance reflections and luminous effects."
- Rainbow Film: "The Rainbow Film is a unique diffraction panel that creates beaming reflective rainbows offset from any bright light source."
TWO VERSIONS
The Omni Creative Filter System is designed to fit most prime and zoom lenses on the market, Strong said. For the best result, a 35mm or longer focal length lenses is recommended. When shooting on any focal length lens, especially those wider than 35mm, bright apertures ensure the most natural looking creative effects.
Small and Large versions are tailored to smaller or larger filter threads and include step-up or step-down rings to fit a range of filter thread sizes.
EXPANSION PACK
Expansion Pack. Crystal Speak Triangular Prism and Scalloped Window.
The Crystal expansion pack, sold separately for $49.95, includes:
- Crystal Spear: "Create a wide variety of effects, from radiant specular highlights and kaleidoscopic reflections to dreamlike flare with the versatile Crystal Spear."
- Triangular Prism: "Create surprising reflections within the frame by shooting through the differently sized sides of the Triangular Prism."
- Scalloped Window: "The unique edges of the Scalloped Window offer brilliant flare and reflection, while the large clear center keeps your subject visible."
PRICE, AVAILABILITY
The Omni Creative Filter System and he first Expansion Pack featuring additional Effect Wands is available now for pre-order now from Lensbaby. The Omni Creative Filter System is $99.95 while the Expansion Pack with three crystals is $49.95.
For more information see the news release below.
Lensbaby Announces Innovative New Omni Creative Filter System
Designed to work with manual and autofocus lenses
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Lensbaby has announced the availability of the Omni Creative Filter System by Lensbaby.
The Omni System offers control and repeatability when shooting through crystals and other objects engineered by Lensbaby to create distinct and compelling in-camera effects. This unique, professional system is unlike anything currently on the market and geared to work on photographers' existing prime and zoom lenses.
"Shooting through handheld objects can add something special -- but it's difficult to hold an object in front of your lens and achieve the desired effect, while also framing your subject and operating your camera. The Omni Creative Filter System puts unique, variable and repeatable in-camera effects right at the fingertips of video and still photographers," said Craig Strong, Lensbaby Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder. "Omni's Effect Wands attach magnetically and can easily be manipulated, offering a simple, intuitive and elegant solution."
The Omni Creative Filter System utilizes a lightweight ring that screws onto the lens's filter threads. It includes three Effect Wands that magnetically attach to the filter ring, for quick and easy positioning anywhere around the front of the lens.
"This system brings Lensbaby's pursuit of in-camera creative effects to those who don't shoot with Lensbaby lenses," said Strong. "Omni is not another camera lens. It's the ultimate tool for adding artistic control while you are interacting with your subject and making pictures."
The Omni Creative Filter System and first Expansion Pack featuring additional Effect Wands will be available for pre-order June 18. The Omni Creative Filter System will retail for $99.95. Expansion Packs will include three unique crystals and retail for $49.95.
Effect Wands
All Omni Effect Wands are engineered by Lensbaby to deliver extraordinary, artistic in-camera effects right at photographers' fingertips.
- Crystal Seahorse: With its multitude of angles and edge scallops, this uniquely shaped crystal offers endless possibilities for complex flare, light redirection and radiant reflections.
- Stretch Glass: The large surface area of the Stretch Glass is excellent for creating bright stretches and streaks of light within an image. Shoot through the flat and curved sides or at an angle to achieve chance reflections and luminous effects.
- Rainbow Film: The Rainbow Film is a unique diffraction panel that creates beaming reflective rainbows offset from any bright light source.
Compatibility
The Omni Creative Filter System is designed to fit most prime and zoom lenses on the market. For the best shooting experience, use 35mm or longer focal length lenses. When shooting on all focal length lenses, especially those wider than 35mm, choose bright apertures to ensure the most natural looking creative effects.
Omni is available in Small and Large versions and includes step-up or step-down rings to fit a range of filter thread sizes.
Small ring version:
- Native size: 58mm
- Step up rings: 49mm, 52mm, 55mm
Large ring version:
- Native size: 77mm
- Step up/down rings: 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 82mm*
* When using the 82mm step-down ring, vignetting will occur at focal lengths wider than 50mm. Lenses longer than 50mm will most likely not vignette.
In the Box
What's included:
- Filter Ring (Small or Large)
- Crystal Seahorse Effect Wand
- Stretch Glass Effect Wand
- Rainbow Film Effect Wand
- Step-up/down Rings
- Small Filter Ring will fit 49mm, 52mm, 55mm and 58mm lens threads
- Large Filter Ring will fit 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm and 82mm lens threads
- 2 x Magnetic Mounts (each mount holds up to two Effect Wands)
- 2 x Arms (one longer, one shorter)
- Small Carrying Case
Omni Crystal Expansion Pack
The Crystal Pack, sold separately for $49.95, includes:
- Crystal Spear: Create a wide variety of effects, from radiant specular highlights and kaleidoscopic reflections to dreamlike flare with the versatile Crystal Spear.
- Triangular Prism: Create surprising reflections within the frame by shooting through the differently sized sides of the Triangular Prism.
- Scalloped Window: The unique edges of the Scalloped Window offer brilliant flare and reflection, while the large clear center keeps your subject visible.