The Lensbaby Twist 60 is the least expensive Petzval lens out there, but it doesn't swirl backgrounds with the same extreme effect as others.

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  Compact. Petzval optical design. Sharp at center of frame. Inexpensive. Lensbaby Optic Swap system support. Available for multiple camera systems.

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  Signature look and manual focus design aren't for everyone. Effect is lessened on APS-C cameras.

Lensbaby has another winner in their nursery, that’s for sure. The Lensbaby Twist 60 is great for portraits, flowers, etc., and I can’t wait to try it on holiday lights this winter. I’m also imagining how it works with a cross-screen (star) filter.

There are lenses that provide critically sharp images, edge to edge, and sometimes we add soft focus filters or Photoshop work to reduce that sharpness. There are also lenses that remind us that creativity is not always about sharpness and one such range is the Lensbaby.

Its true beauty only really came out during portraits in daylight. Since I didn’t have to also worry about a strobe or other lighting, I was able to devote more time to focusing the lens and challenging myself to always keep the model dead center of the frame. It worked beautifully then!

It’s a 60mm lens with an aperture range of f/2.5-f/22 and a minimum focusing distance of 18in. Lensbaby describes this as having a ‘twisty, swirly blur’, and as the name suggests, it creates a twist at the edge of the frame, akin to the Petzval lens from Lomography.

I am a new user to manual lenses, but the transition was pretty easy. Due to recent shooting trips my use of the lens was mostly on my Sony Nex 6 infrared converted camera. I will include a monochrome IR from the Nex 5, and a quick snap of my cat from my full frame Sony a7 III

First of all, the Twist 60 is amazingly sharp in the dead center shooting wide open at f/2.5 and becomes increasing sharper as it is stopped down. The swirling bokeh effect is great at isolating a subject in the center with vivid movement in the periphery.

This optic does exactly what is says. Really makes your subject stand out from the background with it opened up. Pay attention to the manufactures suggested usage and try to use live view for best focus.

The Twist optic, known more for the swirl of bokah, produces very nice effects. I learned to achieve the swirl your subject should be about 6-7 feet from the camera. I really like this optic.

Amazing lens! This thing is super sharpe focusing is super easy even easier on live view. I absolutely love all of the photos Ive taken with this lens so far! Highly recommend to change things up abit!