Lensbaby has announced the new Velvet 56, which is a 56mm f/1.6 portrait and macro lens. It is a throwback to the mid-20th century soft focus portrait lenses with its velvety and ethereal look provided in portrait images at wide apertures.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glZr85dsrvc&w=700]In addition to serving as a portrait lens, it offers a close focus distance of 5-inches for a maximum 1:2 magnification.
The lens is fully manual with an aperture ring, which must be rotated to change the aperture, and the rest of the lens barrel serves as a focus ring.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5HOJIcDIRE&w=700]The Lensbaby Velvet 56 retails for $499 and is available for Canon, Nikon, Sony A and Pentax K mount. A silver version of the lens is available for $599. Check out all of the options here at B&H Photo.