Lensbaby Omni Creative Filter System: Elegant Optical Effects

If you’re looking for a conversation starter to attach to your camera, you won’t do much better than the Lensbaby Omni Creative Filter System.

- JIM FISHER

It’s an attachment system that screws into the filter threads of your lens and includes a number of magnetic wand attachments to bend light and create other artistic effects. I’ve had a lot of fun testing it and am happy enough to call it a PCMag Editors’ Choice. If you’re interested in adding some cool optical effects to your images, you should give it a try.

WHAT’S THAT ON YOUR CAMERA?

The Omni’s main component is a metal ring that goes around your lens. Lensbaby sells it in two sizes—a small one for lenses with filters from 49 to 58mm and one for larger lenses with thread diameters from 62mm to 82mm. We tried both with a few different lenses.

The ring holds a pair of magnetic attachment points, so you can directly attach one of the Effects Wands. The basic starter kit also includes a pair of extension arms that let you put more distance between the wand and front element. Everything is held in a gray felt pouch with velcro strips to attach it to the interior of your camera bag. Lensbaby also includes a plastic filter wrench to remove the filter or a step-up ring if either gets stuck on a lens. The starter kit comes with three Effects Wands: Stretch Glass, Crystal Seahorse, and Rainbow Film. The Stretch Glass and Seahorse can be employed in a variety of ways. You can use them to add flare and reflections or to change the character of bokeh. The Rainbow Film adds rainbow streaks to your photos.