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Shift/tilt lens
May 13, 2017 09:50:42 #
I recently photographed an old building with a wide angle lens. The distortion was mind boggling. Fortunately I was able to correct most of it in post processing. But I'd like to hear what experience any of you guys/gals have had with shift/tilt lenses to correct such distortion as picture is taken.
May 13, 2017 09:56:31 #
revhen wrote:
I recently photographed an old building with a wide angle lens. The distortion was mind boggling. Fortunately I was able to correct most of it in post processing. But I'd like to hear what experience any of you guys/gals have had with shift/tilt lenses to correct such distortion as picture is taken.
I have used them several times. Very expensive so unless you are wealthy and like to burn money or this is a type of photography you will do regularly better to rent. Canon has a long experience with TS lenses for many decades that no one else has. I find them to be superb lenses. So I say that it is a matter of finances. They do much
more that post processing cannot do and you don't lose part of the image as you straighten the converging lines.
May 13, 2017 10:04:33 #
melismus
Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country
i have designed an adapter that mounts SLR lenses on mirrorless, with full tilt/shift. Have tried to market it, but few seem interested. I guess the problem is that too few realize how much it can do for you, so a marketing campaign has to be a big tutorial.
Post can correct some problems but not all. Perspective control is a great feature.
Post can correct some problems but not all. Perspective control is a great feature.
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May 13, 2017 10:20:07 #
Robert Bailey
Loc: Canada
1. "Name brand" TS lenses are very expensive- about $2,500 or so.
2. There are appearing some "3rd party" TS lenses that may be just as good (I don't know) at prices around $800 to $900.
3. There are Tilt-Shift adaptors that allow you to use a medium format lens on a smaller format DSLR camera.
These cost around $200. The reason it has to be a medium format lens is that you need a huge image circle.
As you tilt or shift the lens the image circle is moving around. The hope is that the image circle still covers the image sensor
so that you don't get vignetting.
I have many Pentax 645 medium format lenses, and I'm actually considering going with option #3 above on my Nikon D7100.
Interestingly, the adaptor available is only a SHIFT adaptor. I would have to use Pentax 67 (a larger format) lenses in order to get
a TIFT-SHIFT adaptor.
2. There are appearing some "3rd party" TS lenses that may be just as good (I don't know) at prices around $800 to $900.
3. There are Tilt-Shift adaptors that allow you to use a medium format lens on a smaller format DSLR camera.
These cost around $200. The reason it has to be a medium format lens is that you need a huge image circle.
As you tilt or shift the lens the image circle is moving around. The hope is that the image circle still covers the image sensor
so that you don't get vignetting.
I have many Pentax 645 medium format lenses, and I'm actually considering going with option #3 above on my Nikon D7100.
Interestingly, the adaptor available is only a SHIFT adaptor. I would have to use Pentax 67 (a larger format) lenses in order to get
a TIFT-SHIFT adaptor.
May 13, 2017 10:22:47 #
Robert Bailey wrote:
1. "Name brand" TS lenses are very expe... (show quote)
A lot of misinformation in your post.
To begin, Nikon makes Perspective Control (PC) lenses for DSLR's.
May 13, 2017 10:27:02 #
As expensive as TS lenses are, it's probably not worth it unless you need to use them a lot. In the film days there wasn't much choice, but with PP perspective correction available now, it is often enough. It's best to use as long a lens as possible to reduce perspective distortion, or find a higher vantage point if possible. And you have to remember to leave extra space around your subject to allow the cropping necessary in PP perspective correction.
May 13, 2017 10:29:01 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
I have a 17mm TS and don't use it often. Mostly because I don't cary it often. I recently put it in my carry around bag and starting to appreciate it.
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May 13, 2017 10:49:34 #
Robert Bailey
Loc: Canada
"Perspective Control" or Tilt-Shift is a matter of semantics.
These lenses (or adaptors) are trying to emulate the adjustments that are available on a large format camera.
The "Shift" function allows you to correct converging lines- for example, the vertical lines of a tall building which "lean inward" at the top when you point the camera upwards.
The "Tilt" function allows you to control depth of field. By tilting the lens you can get tremendous depth of field
without having to go to a large f-stop number (which will be less sharp).
In both Shift or Tilt you need a large image circle so that it still falls over the image sensor of the camera.
These lenses (or adaptors) are trying to emulate the adjustments that are available on a large format camera.
The "Shift" function allows you to correct converging lines- for example, the vertical lines of a tall building which "lean inward" at the top when you point the camera upwards.
The "Tilt" function allows you to control depth of field. By tilting the lens you can get tremendous depth of field
without having to go to a large f-stop number (which will be less sharp).
In both Shift or Tilt you need a large image circle so that it still falls over the image sensor of the camera.
May 13, 2017 10:54:13 #
Robert Bailey wrote:
"Perspective Control" or Tilt-Shift is a... (show quote)
PC lenses are not "adaptors".
May 13, 2017 11:06:53 #
Robert Bailey
Loc: Canada
Kmgw9v-
Of course, PC lenses are not adaptors!
In my post above I mentioned 3 options for the original poster:
1. Buy an expensive "name-brand" PC (or Tilt-Shift, or whatever you prefer to call it) lens.
2. Buy a less expensive "3rd party" lens.
3. Buy an "adaptor" that allows you to use a (large) medium format lens on a (smaller) DSLR camera.
https://www.adorama.com/kaspx645nk.html This link shows the Shift adaptor that would allow me to use Pentax 645 lenses on my Nikon camera.
https://www.adorama.com/kaspx67nk.html This link shows the Tilt AND Shift adaptor that would allow me to use Pentax 67 lenses on my Nikon camera.
Of course, PC lenses are not adaptors!
In my post above I mentioned 3 options for the original poster:
1. Buy an expensive "name-brand" PC (or Tilt-Shift, or whatever you prefer to call it) lens.
2. Buy a less expensive "3rd party" lens.
3. Buy an "adaptor" that allows you to use a (large) medium format lens on a (smaller) DSLR camera.
https://www.adorama.com/kaspx645nk.html This link shows the Shift adaptor that would allow me to use Pentax 645 lenses on my Nikon camera.
https://www.adorama.com/kaspx67nk.html This link shows the Tilt AND Shift adaptor that would allow me to use Pentax 67 lenses on my Nikon camera.
May 13, 2017 11:10:08 #
Robert Bailey
Loc: Canada
By the way, buying a Tilt-Shift adaptor to allow you to use medium format lenses on your smaller format DSLR
only makes sense if you already have the medium format lenses (which I do), or if you can get one cheaply somewhere.
If you have to spend a lot on the medium format lens to use with the adaptor, then you might as well buy a Perspective Control
lens designed for the camera in the first place (my options 1 or 2 above, rather than option 3).
only makes sense if you already have the medium format lenses (which I do), or if you can get one cheaply somewhere.
If you have to spend a lot on the medium format lens to use with the adaptor, then you might as well buy a Perspective Control
lens designed for the camera in the first place (my options 1 or 2 above, rather than option 3).
May 13, 2017 11:16:52 #
Robert Bailey wrote:
Kmgw9v- br Of course, PC lenses are not adaptors! ... (show quote)
Excuse me. I now understand your post.
May 13, 2017 11:22:35 #
Kmgw9v wrote:
A lot of misinformation in your post.
To begin, Nikon makes Perspective Control (PC) lenses for DSLR's.
To begin, Nikon makes Perspective Control (PC) lenses for DSLR's.
Only recently Nikon produced a TS lens. And that was the original question about TS not a PC lens. Huge difference between the 2.
May 13, 2017 11:30:08 #
Robert Bailey
Loc: Canada
A 4th option for the original poster is to buy a large format camera (4 x 5) or (8 x 10) which will have more adjustments
than any PC or TS lens.
If you want to shoot digital, however, a digital back for an 8 x 10 camera can cost over $100,000 U.S.
I have three 4 x 5 cameras and still use them with film.
than any PC or TS lens.
If you want to shoot digital, however, a digital back for an 8 x 10 camera can cost over $100,000 U.S.
I have three 4 x 5 cameras and still use them with film.
May 13, 2017 11:35:06 #
Robert Bailey
Loc: Canada
Kmgw9v wrote:
"Only recently Nikon produced a TS lens. And that was the original question about TS not a PC lens. Huge difference between the 2."
Dear Kmgw9v,
What is your understanding of the difference between a "Perspective Control" lens and a "Tilt-Shift" lens?
My understanding is that they are exactly the same thing, just called a different name.
It is the same as Nikon calling a lens a "Micro" lens, while everyone else calls it a "Macro" lens.
"Only recently Nikon produced a TS lens. And that was the original question about TS not a PC lens. Huge difference between the 2."
Dear Kmgw9v,
What is your understanding of the difference between a "Perspective Control" lens and a "Tilt-Shift" lens?
My understanding is that they are exactly the same thing, just called a different name.
It is the same as Nikon calling a lens a "Micro" lens, while everyone else calls it a "Macro" lens.
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