Lensbaby Sol 45
Added:
Specifications
| Brand | Lensbaby |
|---|---|
| Category | Normal |
| Prime or Zoom | Prime |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Focal length (mm) | 45 |
| Aperture (max) | 3.5 |
| Angle of View | 51° |
| Filter Size (mm) | 46 |
| Weight (g) | 272 |
| Length (mm) | 65 |
| Diameter (mm) | 73 |
| Weather Sealed | ✘ |
| Image Stabilization | ✘ |
| Min. focus distance (m) | 0.355 |
| Release Year | 2018 |
| Release Price (USD) | 200 |
Description and Reviews
Key Take-Aways:
The Lensbaby Sol 45 is a manual-focus 45mm f/3.5 tilt lens with a fixed aperture and an 8.5 degree tilt that puts a spot of sharp focus inside soft blur; it focuses down to 35.5 cm, weighs 272 g and costs $200. As of Oct 2026, four written reviews and six videos are linked. TechRadar’s Phil Hall calls it fun, easy to use and good value, and likes the smooth fall-off into blur, but finds the circular area of focus could be sharper and calls it an enjoyable but essentially novelty accessory. Amy Davies of Photography Blog, who tried it on a Fujifilm X-E2S, recommends it as a first Lensbaby and likes the tilt mechanism and the pleasing bokeh, but says it takes patience to get used to, that perfect focus is hard and that the corners vignette noticeably. Suzi Pratt of Digital Photography School, who shot it on a Sony A7R III, praises the solid, mostly metal build, the low price and the compact size, and says it needs focus peaking and is a poor choice for moving subjects. Gilmar Smith of KelbyOne loves the dreamy effect and finds it light and compact, though it takes a little time to adjust your eyes to it.
From Lensbaby:
This compact lens creates a spot of focus effect surrounded by smooth bokeh that allows you to separate the subject of your piece from the background. Unleash your artistic vision with the Lensbaby Sol 45, a lens designed to transform your photography into a captivating visual experience.
Engineered for those who crave innovation and creativity, this lens is a must-have for any photography enthusiast seeking to push the boundaries of their craft. Ignite your passion for photography with the Lensbaby Sol 45 – where innovation meets creativity.
Elevate your images to new heights, and let your unique perspective shine through every frame. Embrace the extraordinary and make the ordinary truly remarkable with the Lensbaby Sol 45.
The L Mount selection is $199.95 and is currently sold out. Lensbaby publishes no weight, length or diameter for this lens; the figures (272 g, 65 mm length, 73 mm diameter) come from DPReview and CameraDecision, which agree, and both give them for the mirrorless (Sony E) version.
Reviews:
- TechRadar: Lensbaby Sol 45 review, Phil Hall, Aug 2018
- Photography Blog: Lensbaby Sol 45 Review, Amy Davies, Aug 2018
- Digital Photography School: Gear Review: Lensbaby Sol 45 Field Test, Suzi Pratt, Jan 2019
- KelbyOne: Lensbaby Sol 45: Archived Review, Gilmar Smith, Jan 2020
YouTube:
- gabpolitely: Lensbaby Sol 45 Review: The One Lens for Leading Lines and Bokeh, Aug 2018
- Nick Page: Lensbaby Sol 45mm review, Aug 2018
- Kayleigh June: Lensbaby Sol 45 - LENS REVIEW (With Photos), Aug 2018
- Adventure Rig: The Sol 45 by Lensbaby [Review], Aug 2018
- Julia Trotti: Lensbaby Sol 45 Portrait Photoshoot Behind the Scenes & Review, Aug 2018
- Liam Douglas - Liam Photography: Lensbaby Sol 45mm RF Mount Review, Jan 2021