The Lensbaby Velvet 56 is Inspired by Old Portrait Lenses

That do-everything lens does lots of things well, but it doesn’t do anything great. For close shots, consider the Lensbaby Velvet 56. The lens, which can come with a mount for most big brand cameras, takes ultra sharp images when close to the subject and delivers stunning bokeh in the process. The 56mm f/1.6 lens with 1:2 macro capabilities was inspired by classic portrait lenses from the mid-20th century. As the name would suggest, it delivers velvety tones that give your digital images a film-like feel. The focus can handle being as close as 5″ from your subject. For portraits and up-close shots, it’s a great investment.