LensbabyVelvet 85 for Nikon F

First, to clear up all the confusion about which Nikon cameras this is compatible with. It will attach to any Nikon Film or digital SLR ever made. This is what's called a "Non-CPU" lens, plus it has no communication with the camera at all. So, manual focus and the aperture actually stops down when you set it, with the viewfinder getting darker.This is easiest with full frame DSLRs (D600, D700, D800, D5, etc), where you get an electronic focus indicator in the viewfinder and can use aperture priority mode as well as manual with metering. The top APS-C cameras (D300, D500) also have these same features with this lens. All these cameras will also give you an accurate representation of the exposure in live mode.The D7000 series is the same as described for the cameras above, except it does not reflect the actual exposure in live mode.With the D3000 and D5000 series cameras, you have to focus manually, with no focus aids, and you also have no meter. Not even a manual meter. You have to guess at everything, take a photo, then look at a review of the photo to check your focus and exposure. So, it technically works, but it has to be difficult to deal with.I'm using the Velvet 85 on a Nikon D500, which is APS-C. The main thing that surprises me is that the soft effect isn't all the visible through the viewfinder. The final photo has a much stronger soft effect than I'm seeing through the viewfinder. I don't know why this is. As I've worked with the lens, I've decided that a good way to work with fairly stationary subjects is to shoot at a range of apertures and decide later which one you like best. You will probably like different ones for different reasons. Also, since the effect is based on depth of field, the closer the subject, the stronger the soft effect. As you stop down, the photo gets sharper moving out from the center, but it never seems to actually look like a normal lens, even stopped down all the way. There's always a little bit of a soft, dreamy, film-like appearance to it.The nearly macro capability is a very nice feature as well.

Mine came DOA, the aperture ring was frozen, so I couldn't change the f/stop, which is the main control for the "lensbaby" effect, similar to the problem another reviewer had. Most of the lens seems to be solid, but the coupling mechanism from the aperture ring to the aperture blades is poor, exposed (you can stick your finger through the back and touch the coupling) and flimsily connected, not what you should expect from a 500 dollar lens. I have several, cheap made-in-china lens that are better made.A second serious problem is the factory packaging which probably contributed to the DOA condition of the lens. Lensbaby only uses a thin cardstock "box" with a thin (1/8") thick of high density foam, which doesn't give much space for it to absorb the energy of handling or shipping. No major or minor lens manufacturer has such inadequate protection. Adding insult to injury, the lens was not wrapped in plastic with a dessicant.I strongly advise you not to consider this lens. I also ordered the Lensbaby Creative Portrait Kit at the same time, and those products seem to be better made and designed.

I purchased this lens from Amazon. All I can say is thank God I purchased the WarranTech insurance.I used this lens maybe three times over the course of several months. Seemed to work well enough especially for macro. But one day, I attached it to my camera, turned the aperture ring towards f4 and snaaaapppppp! The focus ring broke and stayed stuck in f1.2 causing a massive blur. I was unable to get it out of f1.2. I sent it off for repair via WarranTech - I purchased the additional warranty insurance. A week after I shipped it off to them, I called and was told the lens could not be repaired, duhhh, and they were providing me with a full refund.... which they did. So thank you WarranTech!If you watch a few youtube videos on this lens, or where is lens is tested on youtube (see Matt Granger), you will see that the same issue described here occurs in the videos. I haven't read or heard anything from Lensbaby as a company addressing the build issues in this lens. Which has made me stay away from ALL of there lenses.Do NOT BUY. Get a Tamron 90mm macro instead.

If you like the premise of Lensbaby lenses and want that lovely look, you like this lens. It's well built, made of metal (unlike some other Lensbabys), and is easy to use. My only complaint is that for $500 there should be the capacity of auto focus. Exposure and blur are largely a function of trial and error. Naturally, the user will improve with practice. However, in meantime there will be plenty of disappointments.

Bought this lens in January this year. Used once, and then last week when I tried to use it again, the aperture ring seems to be stuck at F4. When i tried to move it high up to higher F stop, it seems to have no effect at all. Not sure what is the problem, could be due to poor build quality! Tried contacting Amazon for return but was told that this is past the 60 days return window :(

This is one of my go to lenses. Love the softness, but find I use it for sharp macro as well.

Love it

Same problem as Jamie Arton on the US site - 4 months old and the aperture ring seems to have packed up - will have to return under warranty.

Desde que lo tengo no lo saco de la cámara. Deja la fotos aterciopeladas y con un bokeh fantástico. Muy contenta con la compra.