Why a Tilt Shift Lens?

[brambor]

Hello. I don't have any experience with TS lenses. Could anyone

explain to me what can be achieved with these lenses that can not be

done with regular lenses ?

[s._fisher]

<a href="http://www.archiphoto.com/personal%20pages/Shift%20and%20Tilt.html">http://www.archiphoto.com/personal%20pages/Shift%20and%20Tilt.html</a>

<p>

<a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/eflenses/lineup/tiltshift/">http://www.usa.canon.com/eflenses/lineup/tiltshift/</a>

</p>

[preston_merchant]

Magazine photographers often use them for weird selective focus / blur effects, since you can shift the focal plane. It's hard to describe, but you know it when you see it. These are not usually archtecture shots, but fsahion or other editorial.

[melissa_eiselein]

Rene, I don't have a TS lens, but I want one. It appears there are a number of reasons for someone to use a TS lens. See the links below that were generously passed on to me by PN member John Lund:

<br><a href=http://www.photosafaris.com/TiltLenses.asp> http://www.photosafaris.com/TiltLenses.asp<a/>

<br> <a href=http://www.hoothollow.com/Question-JanFeb2003.html>

http://www.hoothollow.com/Question-JanFeb2003.html</a>

 

<p>My main purpose for wanting a TS lens is to get some decent architectural shots. Ever taken a picture of a multi-story building and wondered why it looked like it was about fall over or into itself? This isn't my example, but a another photographer's picture of a building that's near my home:

<br> <a href=http://www.macmurph.com/photodb/picture.php?picture_id=771> www.macmurph.com/photodb/picture.php?picture_id=771</a>

<br>In real life, this building is straight from top to bottom. In the photo, it looks like the tall part is about ready to fall over on the walkway. A Tilt/Shift lens would correct the persepctive problem. How difficult it would be to operate this lens, I don't know. It doesn't look like a quickie point and shoot variety.

<p>It would be really cool if Canon decided to make a 15mm TS lens for use with the Canon 10D.

[lu_yin]

There are more uses for TS lenses than architectural shots. You can really manipuate images by using TS. I played with one a little at a camera store and liked it (it reminded me the old days when I used view cameras), but it's hard for me to spend that much money on one.

[joe r]

The 24mm TS seems particularly useful for landscapes.

Especially good if there's a slight breeze - use the TS for a little more depth of field, then you don't have to stop down quite so much - allowing you to use a higher shutter speed & thus have a sharper image.

[beauh44]

Hi Rene, I thought about getting a Canon TS lens too. When I saw the asking price, I decided to just buy a 4X5 field camera - it's cheaper! I feel like I'll have a better opportunity to learn about how movements work and what they can do. Also, getting back a 4X5" slide or neg is pretty awesome - well, when I manage to expose 'em right, that is! ;-) Best wishes . . .

[karl_lehmann]

The 24mm TSE is my favorite landscape lens. I bought it primarily for the tilt feature (for near-far perspectives with an almost macro foreground, and so I can shoot at larger apertures to minimize wind blur), But I've become addicted to shifting and now I shift even more than I tilt. Of course it's great for architectural shots and macro too (with a short extension tube).<P>I agree a 4X5 field camera would be better and arguably cheaper in the short run (don't forget film & processing costs though) - but even if I had one I don't think I'd find it in my bag at the end of a long hike! And I'd have to carry the 35mm gear anyway, for wildlife etc.<P>The TSE lenses are a real pain to use though, mainly because of the gymnastics required to use built-in metering. You can avoid the hassle by using a hand held meter... unless you want to use flash; for that you have to go TTL. Or manual, which takes just as long. I suppose with a digital body it might be a lot faster to just "meter" by trial and error.<p>Karl Lehmann <a href="http://www.lostworldarts.com/new_page_3.htm">Lost World

Arts</a>

[bob stewart jacksonville]

I have often thought about getting a ts lens, but never could justify the expense. With digital , the need for a ts lens seems to be somewhat decreased. how much of the perspective control advantages of a ts lens can be duplicated in PS?

[beauh44]

>>how much of the perspective control advantages of a ts lens can be duplicated in PS?

 

Well you can certainly correct converging vertical lines in Photoshop pretty easily, but there's no way Photoshop can increase your depth of field. There are some things that TS lenses can do that simply can't be pulled off any other way. I guess that's why view cameras are still around and mostly unchanged in the last 100 years. BTW, My Tachiahara field camera weighs only a little over 3lbs - and folds up quite nicely. It's no problem taking it on a hike and weighs much less than my Canon 1VHS - with a lens!! Processing the film is expensive, and I've gotta load it in the dark. There's no question that 35mm is much easier. ;-) Best wishes . . .