Lensbaby Composer Pro II with Sweet 80 Optic for Micro 4/3 Instruction Manual

Introduction

The Lensbaby Composer Pro II with Sweet 80 Optic is an 80mm f/2.8 selective focus lens designed for Micro Four Thirds camera systems. This lens allows photographers to create images with a sharp "sweet spot" of focus surrounded by a smooth, dramatic blur, often referred to as bokeh. The Composer Pro II lens body features an upgraded metal construction for enhanced durability and precise control over tilt and focus. The Sweet 80 Optic is an interchangeable optic within the Lensbaby Optic Swap System, offering versatility for creative photography.

This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, and maintaining your Composer Pro II with Sweet 80 Optic to achieve optimal photographic results.

Product Overview

Figure 1: The Lensbaby Composer Pro II with Sweet 80 Optic mounted on a camera. This image illustrates the overall appearance of the lens and its attachment to a compatible camera body.

The Composer Pro II body allows for precise tilting of the optic, enabling the photographer to move the sharp sweet spot of focus anywhere within the frame. The Sweet 80 Optic features a 12-blade adjustable aperture, ranging from f/2.8 to f/22, which controls both the depth of field and the size of the sweet spot.

Setup

1. Attaching the Composer Pro II Lens Body to Your Camera

1. Ensure your camera is powered off.
2. Align the mounting index mark on the Composer Pro II lens body with the corresponding mark on your Micro Four Thirds camera body.
3. Gently insert the lens into the camera's lens mount.
4. Rotate the lens clockwise until it clicks into place, indicating it is securely locked.

2. Inserting the Sweet 80 Optic

1. With the Composer Pro II body attached to your camera, locate the optic well.
2. Carefully insert the Sweet 80 Optic into the optic well of the Composer Pro II body.
3. Ensure the optic is seated correctly. Some Lensbaby optics may have a small dot or arrow for alignment.
4. Twist the optic locking ring (if present on your Composer Pro II model) to secure the optic in place.

Operating the Lens

1. Adjusting Aperture

The Sweet 80 Optic features a manual aperture ring. Rotate the ring to select your desired aperture from f/2.8 to f/22. The aperture controls both the depth of field and the size of the sweet spot of focus:

• Brighter Apertures (e.g., f/2.8, f/4): Produce a smaller sweet spot of focus with more dramatic blur (bokeh).
• Darker Apertures (e.g., f/16, f/22): Result in a larger area of focus with less blur.

2. Tilting for Selective Focus

The Composer Pro II body allows you to tilt the optic to position the sweet spot of focus. To tilt:

1. Grasp the Composer Pro II body and gently tilt it in the desired direction.
2. Observe the effect through your camera's viewfinder or LCD screen. The sweet spot will move across the frame as you tilt.
3. Once the sweet spot is positioned, you can lock the tilt mechanism (if your model has one) or hold it steady while focusing.

Figure 2: An example photograph showcasing the selective focus effect. The subject's face is sharp, while the background exhibits a smooth, artistic blur.

3. Manual Focusing

The Sweet 80 Optic is a manual focus lens. To achieve sharp focus:

1. After positioning the sweet spot with the tilt mechanism, rotate the focusing ring on the Composer Pro II body.
2. Use your camera's focus peaking or magnification features (if available) to assist in achieving precise focus within the sweet spot.
3. Take your photograph once focus is achieved.

Figure 3: Another example of selective focus, demonstrating how the sweet spot can draw attention to a specific subject within a scene.

Maintenance

Cleaning the Lens

• Use a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth specifically designed for camera lenses to gently wipe dust and smudges from the glass elements.
• For stubborn smudges, apply a small amount of lens cleaning solution to the cloth (not directly to the lens) and wipe carefully.
• Use a blower brush to remove loose dust particles before wiping to prevent scratching.
• Avoid touching the glass elements with your fingers.

Storage

• Store the lens in a clean, dry environment, away from extreme temperatures and humidity.
• Always attach front and rear lens caps when the lens is not in use to protect the glass elements.
• If storing for extended periods, consider using a dehumidifying agent in your camera bag or storage container.

Troubleshooting

• Issue: Image is entirely blurry.

  Solution: Ensure you are manually focusing correctly. Use your camera's focus peaking or magnification aid. Check that the aperture is not too wide (e.g., f/2.8) if you expect a larger area of focus. Verify the optic is securely seated in the Composer Pro II body.

• Issue: Sweet spot is not appearing or is too large/small.

  Solution: The size of the sweet spot is controlled by the aperture. A wider aperture (smaller f-number) will create a smaller, more dramatic sweet spot. A narrower aperture (larger f-number) will result in a larger sweet spot with less blur. Ensure the lens is tilted to position the sweet spot.
• Issue: Lens feels loose on the camera body.

  Solution: Re-attach the Composer Pro II lens body, ensuring it clicks securely into place on your camera's mount. If the optic feels loose within the Composer Pro II, ensure the optic locking ring is tightened.

Specifications

Warranty and Support

For warranty information, product registration, or technical support, please refer to the official Lensbaby website or contact their customer service directly. Keep your purchase receipt as proof of purchase for any warranty claims.

Online Resources: For additional tips, tutorials, and community forums, visit the Lensbaby official website. Many creative examples and usage guides are available to help you explore the full potential of your Composer Pro II with Sweet 80 Optic.