Why I Want to Twist With the 28

Wide-angle lenses have always been a favorite of mine - and for a good reason.They're perfect for storytelling, pulling viewers right into the scene, inviting them to step closer and feel the emotion captured in the moment. We often associate wide-angles with landscapes and street photography, but they shine in so many other ways too. So when I heard Lensbaby was releasing the new Twist 28 my curiosity kicked in immediately. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it to beta test myself. How would that signature swirly bokeh translate to a true 28 mm wide-angle view? After seeing the beautiful dreamy effect in action created by other Lensbaby Traiblazers, I wanted to dive right in and start creating myself. It didn't take long at all for me to realize this lens would become a favorite. Now it's never far for my camera - it's truly become a game changer for me in my work. Let me tell you why...

The Lensbaby Twist 28 is designed specifically for mirrorless cameras featuring a fixed F3.5 aperture that is somewhat unusual for a wide angle lens - but that's exactly what contributes its distinctive magic. Weighing only 5 oz its Petzval-inspired optics deliver a signature low-contrast look with pronounced swirling bokeh that can twist dramatically around the edges while keeping the center subject relatively sharp and in focus. You can get as close as about 8 inches to your subject when desired giving you impressive flexibility for framing compositions from landscapes to intimate creative shots. This combination reward is a slower more intentional approach to photography embracing the dream-like artistic imperfections that make the twist effect so addictive. As a macro photographer it was very important to me that I could get the swirly bokeh being so close-up. It didn’t disappoint. 

The Lensbaby Twist 28 is a lens every creative photographer should own because it unlocks a level of artistic expression within you. This lightweight pancake lens is so easy to drop in your camera bag and always have with you on location. It delivers as promised that mesmerising Petzval-style swirly bokeh that turns ordinary backgrounds into dynamic images all the while directing your viewer to your subject. The fixed aperture forces you to slow down, embrace manual focus, be intentional, and reignite the fun and joy in photography. No matter what your genre, environmental portraits, street scenes or macro close-ups from 8mm away this lens adds a signature magic that feels personal. It’s about creating images that evoke feeling and stand out.

Once you experience how it transforms your vision and makes shooting more playful, you’ll wonder how you ever created without it and you’ll reach for it again and again!