If truly unique images are your game, Lensbaby's got you covered. The Lensbaby Composer is the latest lens to join the company's line of selective-focus optics. If the $270 price tag doesn't give it away, this lens is not a toy: It's a tool for professionals and hobbyists alike.

Unlike other lenses in the Lensbaby lineup, the all-glass Composer is able to retain its focus position, thanks to a ball and socket design. I was able to obtain and hold focus on my subject in seconds; previous lenses required much more patience to achieve the same selective-focus effect.

Available with Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony Alpha, Pentax K, and Olympus mounts, the 4-ounce lens maintains a low profile, extending only 2 inches beyond the camera body. The $270 Lensbaby Composer ships in early December, and includes a Double Glass Optic, with Single Glass, Plastic, and Pinhole Optics available for about $35 each or $95 in a set of three. The Double Glass Optic produces the sharpest image, with the other lenses producing images with softer focus.