Lensbaby Spark: A New Plastic Lens for Selective-Focus Photos on the Cheap

“Entry level” is a huge theme in the photo gear industry this year, and it’s not limited to cameras. Lensbaby has also joined in on the action by announcing its new Spark lens. It’s stripped-down plastic version of the company’s selective focus lenses, allowing you to shoot fun “tilt-shift”-style photos without breaking the bank.

The lens is compatible with Canon and Nikon DSLRs. Specs-wise, it’s 50mm f/5.6 lens that has a minimum focusing distance of 13-inches.

Attached to a spring-like body, the front element is squeezed toward the camera to focus the lens, and tilted to customize the location of the “sweet spot”, or in-focus area, within the frame.

Some sample photographs shot using the Spark:

The Lensbaby Spark will be available starting September 18, 2012, and will cost $80 from Amazon and in a number of camera shops around the world.