Lensbaby Twist 28 Pancake: B&H Photo
Lensbaby Launches Twist 28, a Wide-Angle Petzval-Inspired Lens Developed in Response to Years of Photographer Demand
PORTLAND, OR, UNITED STATES, April 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Portland, Oregon-based optics company expands its Twist series to 28mm for the first time in its 20-year history
Lensbaby, a creative effects lens manufacturer based in Portland, Oregon, today announced the commercial release of the Lensbaby Twist 28, a 28mm Petzval-inspired wide-angle lens. The product marks the first time Lensbaby has extended its signature Twist optic to a wide-angle focal length since the series was introduced.
The Twist 28 was developed over multiple years following sustained requests from photographers across the Lensbaby community. Feedback gathered through trade shows, social media channels, direct correspondence, and photography forums consistently pointed to demand for a wider-angle version of the Twist optic — one that could bring the series’ characteristic swirling bokeh effect to environmental portraiture, street photography, and landscape work.
“I heard this request so many times I stopped counting,” said Michael Anthony, VP of Lensbaby. “When a community speaks that clearly for that long, it becomes the work. The Twist 28 is the result of thousands of hours from our R&D team, beta testers, and creative community.”
About the Lens
The Twist 28 draws on 19th-century Petzval optical design, which produces a sharp center of focus with a swirling blur effect in the outer portions of the frame. At 28mm, this optical characteristic applies across a wider field of view than prior Twist lenses, which photographers have used to create layered, motion-influenced images in tighter focal lengths.
Technical specifications include a fixed f/3.5 circular aperture, a minimum focus distance of 8 inches, a weight of 140 grams, manual focus operation, and compatibility with mirrorless camera systems. The fixed aperture was a deliberate design choice, positioning the lens as a tool for photographers who prioritize creative framing over aperture control.
The lens was put through an extended beta testing process before release, with feedback from working photographers used to refine its optical and mechanical characteristics.
Community-Driven Development
Lensbaby attributed the Twist 28’s development timeline directly to community input. The company noted that the volume and consistency of the wide-angle Twist request across more than a decade made it a clear development priority, though the optical challenges involved in extending the Petzval design to 28mm required significant research and testing before a product meeting Lensbaby’s standards was achievable.
“Lensbaby has always been about producing an optical result that cannot be replicated in post-production,” Anthony added. “That principle guided every decision made on this lens.”
The Twist 28 is now available at lensbaby.com.
About Lensbaby
Lensbaby is a Portland, Oregon-based optics company that has operated in the creative effects lens category since 2004. The company produces lenses for photographers and filmmakers seeking optical results that differ from standard rectilinear optics. Lensbaby products are compatible with major mirrorless and DSLR camera systems.
