[Review] The Sol 45 by Lensbaby

The new Lensbaby Sol 45 lens takes a creative twist on a traditional prime lens. With a set focal length of 45mm, fixed f-stop of 3.5mm, bokeh blades and a tilt mechanism, the Sol 45 is a tool that gets you outside of your comfort zone and into the creative mindset.

I feel like the 45mm focal length is truly the sweet spot for a prime lens and is very versatile in what it can help you achieve. While at first I was very excited to use this lens for more macro shots, I learned quickly that it was excelling in everything I was throwing at it. For landscapes, the twisting mechanism adds a whole new level of movement and focus – one that would be very hard to achieve with a traditional lens. It’s incredible to be able to shift the lens to a focal point by actually moving part of the lens.

At first, I was a little bit skeptical of the f/3.5. For many of the product shots we do, the lower the f-stop the better. I was honestly very impressed by the f/3.5 and it gives a very crisp and clear focal point while blurring the background. I can’t say it enough, but for gathering product shots, this lens is perfect. I can easily focus on a part of the product while keeping the whole product centered in the frame.

It’s definitely worth mentioning that the manual-only focus caught me off guard. If I’m honest I will say that I use automatic focus about 90% of the time. For the type of photography we are shooting, it makes sense and is easy and mindless. Switching to manual focus was a bit of a challenge at first, especially while shooting Hank our hound dog who is sporadic and always moving. It takes some getting used to and for me it was just relearning how to be on top of your game while shooting. The focal ring is very smooth and I’ve found it to work flawlessly.

The twisting/tilting mechanism works seamlessly as of right now and I will say that while I was a bit of a skeptic at first, it’s easy to tell that this lens is made of very high-quality materials and is made to last. When I first pulled the lens out of the box, I was not sure what I should expect as the price point is just under $200. If you know the feel of a cheap lens, you know what I’m talking about. That was absolutely not the case when I pulled out the Sol 45. It’s heavy in a good way – not in a negative way.

I have the Sony E Mount Sol 45 but they also offer mounts for Canon EF, Fuji X, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony Alpha A. There are few limits for mounting options, which again adds to the accessibility of Sol 45.

If you’re looking to add a creative twist to your images, look into Lensbaby. They offer high-quality lenses at an accessible price. Whether you’re looking for traditional lenses or looking to add a new look, Lensbaby lenses are the way to go. The best part about the Sol 45 is that it has pushed me to get out and shoot for the fun of it. It’s taken me back to some of my creative roots and I’m so grateful for that.