By Shutterbug Staff

March 8, 2007 — Lensbabies, LLC has introduced today the new medium format version of its 3rd generation selective focus lens, Lensbaby 3G. The medium format version of this award-winning lens expands the Lensbaby product family’s capabilities for the first time into the medium format realm of photography.

The Medium Format Lensbaby 3G is now available for Mamiya 645 and Pentax 67 camera bodies. The Lensbaby 3G for Mamiya 645 features an 80mm fixed focal length and possible aperture settings ranging from f/3.4 to f/39. The Lensbaby 3G for Pentax 67 cameras has a 100 mm fixed focal length and has possible aperture settings ranging from f/4 to f/45.

The Lensbaby 3G medium format lens allows photographers to lock the Lensbaby in a desired bent position simply by pressing a button. Then, using its traditional barrel focus mechanism, photographers can do fine focusing and precisely place the sweet spot of sharp focus before pressing the shutter release. The Original Lensbaby lens and the Lensbaby 2.0 lens require the photographer to manually hold the Lensbaby in a bent position while pressing the shutter release.

The optic in the Medium Format Lensbaby 3G produces the same effect as the optic in the Lensbaby 3G for SLR cameras. However, the optic in each Medium Format Lensbaby 3G is optimized for the specific camera body.

Once Lensbaby 3G is locked into place, additional fine focus can be achieved by turning the barrel focusing ring, which moves the optic in and out like a normal manual focus lens. Also, in the locked position, a photographer can make small adjustments to the placement of the sweet spot of focus by turning any combination of the three focusing rails.

The process of shooting with Lensbaby 3G is quite different than with Lensbaby 2.0, and the two lenses are optimized for different types of photography. While Lensbaby 2.0 is great for intuitive, fluid, photojournalistic shots, Lensbaby 3G is a workhorse for pros that require precise focusing, complete control, and repeatability.

Lensbaby 3G medium format lenses can be ordered now (and will ship by the end of March) for $390.00 on www.Lensbabies.com, by calling 877-536-7222 / 971-223-5662, and from select specialty photo stores. Optional accessories include the Lensbaby Macro Kit™, the Lensbaby 0.6X Wide Angle/Macro Lens, and the Lensbaby 0.6X Wide Angle / 1.6X Telephoto Conversion Kit.