I love all my Lensbabies, but if you look at my Instagram posts, you will see many photos taken with the Sweet 22, a pancake lens. In addition to the creative images I can capture, I really appreciate how lightweight the lens is, since I take my camera on walks. So, I was thrilled to discover that Lensbaby’s newest lens, the Twist 28, is another great pancake lens with the wonderful swirl of the Twist 60.
It is a 28 mm manual lens for mirrorless cameras with a fixed aperture of 3.5. It is great for all kinds of subjects: landscapes, portraits, and macro, as you can get as close as 8 inches to your subject! Like the Twist 60, you get a more pronounced background swirl when there is distance between your subject and the background.
Although you can get close to your subject, I prefer to take tighter shots when photographing flowers and toys. By adding a +4-macro filter to the front of the lens, I can get up close and personal. I love that this gives me the flexibility to switch between landscapes and macro shots on my walks.
In the absence of a strong background, the lens produces a vignette. I have a Canon EOS R that often creates a purple vignette, so I either desaturate it or embrace it.
Another great aspect of this lens is that, with its swirls and rich colors, or by transforming the photo into black-and-white, I can share the mood I felt when taking the image. One person commented after seeing some of my photos that the images have a vivid color palette and almost a 3D feel. I love that!
To be honest, it took some practice for me to get the focus sharp. I don’t normally use a tripod, so I had to move the camera back and forth to get my subject in sharp detail while shooting handheld. It is worth the practice, and frankly, I like the challenge of what it takes to get a good image. I think, in the end, I am a better photographer for pushing my comfort zone, not only in composition but also in learning and getting the hang of a new lens.
Although I am still a fan of the Sweet 22, I am enjoying experimenting with the Twist 28 and am excited to see what I can capture over the coming months. Take the plunge and find out what this new lens can do for your photography.
Carol Vipperman
Carol is a Seattle-based photographer who loves capturing the energy and beauty she sees around her neighborhood and region. She has always been a storyteller; now, with Lensbaby lenses, she tells stories through her images. Carol started taking her camera on her daily walks and found that they were transformed into adventures. Her creativity expanded in surprising ways. She sees life and personality in everyday things, like flowers, boat reflections near docks, light bouncing off buildings, neighborhood pets, and toys. Everything has the possibility of becoming art.
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