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Lensbaby Sol 45mm — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home Camera LensesLensbaby Sol 45mm

Lensbaby Sol 45mm — image 1

Lensbaby

Lensbaby Sol 45mm

Expert Review Analysis

The Lensbaby Sol 45mm f/3.5 is a compact, all‑metal manual‑focus prime lens that creates a distinctive sweet‑spot of sharp focus surrounded by smooth bokeh using an 8.5° tilt and optional textured aperture blades. It works on full‑frame, APS‑C and Micro‑Four‑Thirds cameras across multiple mounts and is priced for creative enthusiasts.

✓ Best for: Creative enthusiasts, street and portrait photographers, and beginners who want an inexpensive, portable way to experiment with selective‑focus and bokeh effects, especially on full‑frame or APS‑C cameras during travel or on‑the‑go shooting.✗ Not ideal for: Action, sports, or fast‑moving subjects, low‑light situations that demand a wider aperture or autofocus, and environments that require weather‑sealed equipment.

Pros

✓Extremely lightweight at 9.6 oz (272 g) making it easy to carry for travel and street shooting.
✓All‑metal construction provides a solid, premium feel that exceeds expectations for a creative specialty lens.
✓

Price History

Current

$199.95

Average

$199.95

Lowest

$199.95

Highest

$199.95

Price trend (90d):0.0%

Best Seller Rank History

Now#3,042Best#3,042Worst#3,060 +18

Lower = better sales rank

Rating Trend

Rating4.4/ 5Reviews20

Specifications

Camera

Focal Length45 mm mm

Maximum Aperturef/3.5 (fixed, optional f/5 texture)

Minimum Focus Distance14 in (356 mm) mm

Maximum Magnification0.17x

Lens MountsCanon EF, Fujifilm X, Nikon F (DSLR), Nikon Z, Pentax K, Sony A-mount, Sony E

Design

Weight272 g g

Dimensions390 mm × 390 mm × 730 mm

Mount MaterialMetal

Features

Tilt Angle8.5° degrees

Diaphragm Blades2 (adjustable bokeh blades)

Focus TypeManual barrel focus only

Optical Construction3 elements in 2 groups, broadband multi-coated anti-reflective coating

Filter Thread46 mm mm

General

BrandLensbaby

ManufacturerLensBaby

ModelLBS45X

ColorBlack

Release Date2024-03-29

Optical

Tilt Angle8.5° fixed with center‑locking feature

Diaphragm Blades2 adjustable bokeh blades (no conventional blades)

Focus

Minimum Focus Distance14 in (35.6 cm) with 0.17× maximum magnification

Construction

Mount MaterialAll‑metal construction

Compatibility

Filter Thread46 mm screw‑on

Dimensions & Weight

Height15.354330693 Inches

Width15.354330693 inches

Depth28.740157451 inches

Weight0.59965735264 pounds

Research Sources

photographylife.com

bhphotovideo.com

cameradecision.com

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User Reviews

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4.4

(20 reviews)

$199.95

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LBS45XBlack

Integrated 8.5° tilt mechanism with center‑locking feature enables quick, intuitive sweet‑spot bokeh without post‑processing.

✓Close minimum focusing distance of 14 in (35.6 cm) delivers a 0.17× magnification for tight subject isolation.

✓Fixed f/3.5 aperture combined with optional f/5 textured blades offers a unique, artistic bokeh character at a low price point.

Cons

✗The focus ring is small and has a short throw, making precise manual focusing difficult for many users.
✗A fixed f/3.5 aperture limits exposure flexibility; the only alternative is a textured f/5 setting that changes bokeh character.
✗Manual‑focus only design means the lens cannot be used for fast‑moving subjects or situations that require autofocus.
✗Optimized for full‑frame sensors; APS‑C users may find the field‑of‑view narrower than desired for their format.
✗No weather sealing leaves the lens vulnerable to dust and moisture in challenging shooting environments.

From Expert Reviews

Praised by Experts

✓Fstoppers highlights the travel‑friendly size and weight (around 5.8 oz) as ideal for on‑the‑go creative work.
✓Professional reviewers praise the robust all‑metal exterior that feels durable despite the lens’s compact dimensions.
✓The 8.5° tilt and optional textured aperture blades are repeatedly cited as providing uniquely controllable sweet‑spot bokeh.
✓Photography Life notes the close‑focus capability (14 in) as a strong point for portrait and macro‑style creative shots.

Criticized by Experts

✗Fstoppers criticizes the small focus ring and short focus throw, which hinder precise manual focus adjustments.
✗Professional reviewers point out that the lens is primarily designed for full‑frame, leaving APS‑C users wishing for a wider field of view.
✗The fixed f/3.5 aperture is seen as a limitation, with only a quirky f/5 texture option for aperture variation.

From User Reviews

Users Love

✓Everyday photographers love the ease of creating artistic bokeh and subject isolation with a simple tilt motion.
✓Portability is frequently mentioned; users appreciate being able to carry the lens in a pocket or small bag for spontaneous shooting.
✓The lens is described as an affordable way for beginners to experiment with selective‑focus effects without buying expensive gear.
✓Many users highlight the close‑focus distance as perfect for isolating small subjects like flowers or details in street scenes.

Users Complain About

✗Users repeatedly report that manual focus can feel imprecise because of the tiny focus ring and limited throw.
✗The lack of aperture control beyond f/3.5 (and the optional f/5 texture) is a common complaint among hobbyists seeking more exposure flexibility.
✗Several reviewers note that image quality softens noticeably outside the sweet‑spot, especially on full‑frame bodies.
✗The absence of weather sealing is mentioned by users who shoot in dusty or rainy environments.

Expert Opinion

Professional reviewers commend the Lensbaby Sol 45mm for its ultra‑compact, all‑metal build and the intuitive 8.5° tilt that delivers a distinctive sweet‑spot bokeh, making it a fun, travel‑ready creative tool. However, they caution that the small focus ring, fixed aperture, and manual‑focus only operation limit its usefulness for precise work or APS‑C users seeking a wider angle.

What Users Say

Everyday users celebrate the lens for its lightweight portability and the immediate, artistic bokeh it produces with a simple tilt, calling it an inexpensive way to explore selective focus. The most frequent frustrations revolve around the difficulty of fine manual focusing, limited aperture options, and softness outside the focal sweet‑spot.

Common Complaints

Small focus ring and short focus throw make precise manual focusing hard; fixed f/3.5 aperture limits exposure control; softness outside the sweet‑spot on full‑frame; APS‑C users find the field of view narrower than expected; no weather sealing.

What People Are Saying

“users love the tilt for quick isolation without post‑processing”
User feedback summary

“travel‑friendly size/weight (5.8 oz noted) and well‑built metal exterior make it a delightful, non‑hindrance lens at $199.95”
Fstoppers

How It Compares

vs. Lensbaby Composer Pro (with Sweet 50 optic)

Advantages

✓Modular optics allow a wider range of focal lengths and aperture settings.
✓Adjustable tilt up to 15° provides greater creative flexibility than the Sol's fixed 8.5°.

Disadvantages

✗Heavier (~13 oz) and bulkier, reducing portability compared to the Sol 45mm.
✗More complex system may be less intuitive for beginners seeking a simple bokeh tool.

Choose the Composer Pro if you need interchangeable optics and greater tilt range; choose the Sol 45mm for ultra‑compact, budget‑friendly creative shooting.

vs. Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6

Advantages

✓Brighter f/1.6 aperture delivers more light and smoother bokeh for low‑light portrait work.
✓Closer minimum focus (5 in) enables tighter subject isolation than the Sol's 14 in.

Disadvantages

✗Heavier (~14 oz) and larger, making it less convenient for travel.
✗No built‑in tilt; requires optional tilt‑shift add‑on, adding cost and complexity.

Select the Velvet 56mm when you need a fast aperture and very close focus; opt for the Sol 45mm when portability and built‑in tilt are top priorities.