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I'm interested in the Lensbaby Scout since it seems like a cheap fish-eye option, but I am unsure how it performs. What about the lens's quality (build quality, image quality, and optical quality)?. Are there any problems with its plastic body?

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I've had limited use of a Composer and Muse. The build quality was acceptable, and I know they've held up well for the owners who use them regularly, though it's a pretty clear step below kit lenses in terms of fit and finish.

I think the amount of enjoyment you get out of a Lensbaby is most directly correlated to the optic you choose and your expectation of it. I've used the Plastic and Single optics and they just don't suit me -- I want tack sharp results and those simply don't do it for me; I find it frustrating trying to tell if something is in focus or wondering if this is just as good as it gets. I don't know how the fisheye optic compares but I would consider the quality of it and what your expectations are.

A different direction: if you want a fisheye for cheap you might also look at the Samyang/Rokinon/Bower 8mm fisheye.

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Here's a detailed review from DPreview on one of the Lensbaby lenses (the Composer Pro). They cover the build quality shortly on the second page.

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If you are looking for a low cost fisheye, a lensbaby is not the right tool for you. The strong point of the lensbaby is that it can change the focal plane in somewhat the same way as a tilt/shift lens does. That makes it great for artistic shots where you want random focus effects, but not good for extreme wide-angle, as you would expect from a fisheye.

If you are interested in the lensbaby for its intended purpose, the manufacturer is very customer-friendly, and you can look on the lensbaby web site or call them at 1-877-536-7222 (US phone number).

I think if you look at the images in their gallery, you will see that the hallmark of the lensbaby is a sharp focus falloff. Here's an example, so you see what I mean:

(c) Steve Ross

As you see, there is a huge wide-angle effect, but more dramatic than that is that the center of focus is so narrowly constrained as to give a somewhat bizarre effect almost like motion to the image.

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    Steve, Lensbaby actually offers a fisheye optic, which is a relatively straightforward 12mm fisheye lens, without any tilt, shift, or bend. – mattdm May 14 '12 at 21:00
  • Additionally, the "Scout" body specifically does not offer the tilting effect that the other bodies do, making it more appropriate for the authors intended use. – Dan Wolfgang May 14 '12 at 21:11
  • Yes, that's true -- my bad. Scout is the only one I've not had a chance to use. I have the Canon fisheye, which was (past tense) very cost effective. The OP didn't say what brand camera they had, but perhaps the lensbaby will work out. – Steve Ross May 14 '12 at 22:08

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