Lensbaby Twist 60 Review

Lensbaby Twist 60 Performance

Once we look at the lens in a technical sense then the performance figures should be seen in the context of the uses the Twist 60 is intended for.

In terms of a conventional look at sharpness, the central figures are impressively high. Sharpness is very good at f/2.5, rising to excellent from f/4 through to f/16 and dropping slightly at f/22 but remaining very good.

Measurements were also made at half way across the frame, where the sharpness is already dropping off, but is good at f/2.5 and f/4, very good at f/5.6, excellent at f/8 and f/11 and still very good at f/16 and f/22. This fits the profile of a Petzval lens and gives an idea of the area of high sharpness that can be expected.

The full frame edges of course are way outside the design parameters, at least in conventional terms, and sharpness is poor from f/2.5 to f/16. It does however slowly improve as we stop down and there is actually a good result at f/22.

MTF

How to read our charts

The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges.

The scale on the left side is an indication of actual image resolution as LW/PH and is described in detail above. The taller the column, the better the lens performance.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Nikon D810 using Imatest.

Control of CA (Chromatic Aberration) is actually excellent. Only at the widest apertures and the edge of the 35mm format frame do we see levels rise. In all other situations CA is unlikely to be a problem.

CA Chart

How to read our charts

Chromatic aberration is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.

Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Nikon D810 using Imatest.

There is no lens hood provided, but it is debatable anyway that it would be needed. The lens resists flare very well, but it can be induced when shooting against the light and may well be considered part of the artistic experience.

Barrel distortion measure -1.81%, very acceptable in that it tends to disappear amongst the swirling twist of the out of focus areas. For once, we have a modest telephoto lens that doesn't tend towards pincushion distortion. This is probably a good thing as it would work against the tendency to twirl.

Finally, we look at the bokeh, the quality of the out of focus areas. In the case of the Twist 60 those areas are also at the plane of focus as we move outwards towards the edges. At wider apertures we see the swirling, twisting effect, and that is quite controllable. As we stop down this effect starts to be lost and the bokeh takes on a different character. The fact that the nature of the bokeh can be changed with aperture and working distance, as well as the part of the frame the main subject occupies, means that over a few days at a few locations the possibilities can only be partially explored. There are so many possibilities and getting to know the lens fully might well take some time.

Value For Money

The Lensbaby Twist 60, complete with mount, is priced at £249. For those who have an Optic Swap Compatible lens already, then the lens head alone costs £159, a very good saving.

The obvious competitors are the Lomography 58mm f/1.9 Petzval Art Lens, available in black (£639) and brass (£549), or the Lensbaby Velvet 56 (£419).

The Lensbaby scores on cost and it is only when we see the different construction approach that the higher cost of the Lomography lenses can be seen in more perspective. In terms of the end result though, the Lensbaby Twist 60 looks hard to beat.

For more options have a look at the Top 27 Best Portrait Lenses.

Add your message