A crystal ball you shoot through like a lens. In late 2017 I got my hands on a Lensball and took it out on a photoshoot to see if this "toy" could really boost creativity.
What is a Lensball?
It's a solid crystal sphere, 80 mm in diameter, shipped from China in about two weeks. There's also a 60 mm version, but it looked a bit too small to me. Instagram was full of Lensball shots, so I had to try it. You simply take a photo through the ball, and the result is amazing: a wide, fisheye-like view of around 180 degrees. Of course the image comes out upside down.
The materials and packaging felt really good, and the company says the glass is scratch-resistant. It cost me around $40 including shipping, and on Amazon there are cheaper alternatives, though I can't say if the quality is the same.
A heavy toy
Let's be honest, it's a toy. A very heavy one, and not easy to carry in your bag. I'm also a bit wary about pointing it at the sun: if it works like a lens, it can focus sunlight. But it really can help you if you're feeling creative.
On the shoot
I took it to a photoshoot with photographer Fabio Mancini and model Federica. The verdict? Cheap, fun, and Fabio went crazy for it and ordered one straight away. I recommend it mostly because the price is so accessible.