Battleship

Nikon D3000, Lensbaby Scout with fisheye optic, 1/60, no f-stop, ISO 1600

Sticking with photos of small objects (and using Lensbaby lenses to accomplish the feat), here’s a different approach. This is a shot of a battleship model taken with the Scout with the fisheye optic installed.

In addition to more standard fisheye effects, this optic allows you to get within a half an inch of the subject and still retain some focus (though the depth of field is quite small at this distance). At this distance the distortion produces some interesting effects, including this other-worldly mess of shape and line that looks little like the actual subject.

For comparison, here’s a shot of the same model taken with a typical macro lens:

Nikon D3000, 300mm (75-300), 1 sec., f/8, ISO 100

And here’s what a map looks like when shot with the Lensbaby fisheye. Note how quickly the lens loses focus away from the center of the shot.

Nikon D3000, Lensbaby Scout with fisheye optic, 1/40, no f-stop, ISO 1600