I have been using Lensbaby lenses since they first came out. How cool was it to create wild out of focus images using this compact lens? It reminded me of shooting my Holga camera; you never knew exactly what the image was going to look like. But then Lensbaby started developing their line with the Control Freak and Composer. Now photographers had more control with what was in focus, and what was out of focus. I really liked the Composer, but still longed for a vertical plane of focus similar to a tilt-shift lens. With the introduction of the Edge 80 Optic, my wishes were answered.
The Edge 80 is a long way from the the original Lensbaby magnetic drop-in aperture rings. This lens can be attached to the Composer, and has an adjustable aperture ring link a normal lens. Using the lens with the Composer is the same; you push and tilt the lens any direction you want to change the plane of focus. If I want a vertical plane of focus, I simply adjust the lens until I get the effect I want. I recently was driving across Wyoming and was struck by this interesting wind farm and clouds. Rather than shoot it with a standard lens, I used the Composer/Edge 80 with my D800 for this shot. I really like the miniature effect this lens creates. I use the lens in Apeture priority mode for good exposures.
If you are looking for a new creative tool, check out the latest Lensbaby lens. Whether you want total focus control or spontaneous creative effects, Lensbaby gives you many choices.