Basic Tilt-Shift Simplified

**Don Burkett** · 08-31-2011, 05:13 PM

Always review the news and community but haven't been a contributor for awhile, something I plan to rectify.

Thanks to a recent posting regarding Adorama refurbs, acquired a ts-e 24mm 3.5L II. Online research material on how to use Tilt-Shift lenses tends to always gravitate towards technical explanations rather than simple instructions. For the benefit of others who may venture into this amazing capability I thought I'd share the simple instruction I eventually found.

Focus to Distance, Tilt to Closest..

While I have an awful lot to learn about the capabilities of this lens. That simple instruction has got me off and running with very satisfactory results. As I learn other simple principals will share them. If others have simple instructions on how to get the best out of this type of lens I'd appreciate the knowledge. Except for how to do miniatures. That aspect of this lens is extremely will documented.

Here are two examples of using the Focus to Distance, Tilt to Closest Rule

In this example, focused on the Smoke Stack and tilted down about 1.5 degrees to bring the railing into focus.

Shot Settings: 5D MII - f/9 1/1250 ISO 200

.

In this example, focused on the tape housing and tilted left about 8 degrees to bring the front of the tape into focus.

Shot Settings: 7D - f/5.6 1/5th @ ISO 640

Notice how a left/right tile created a thinner dof.

I guess f/5.6 vs f/8 in the first image has something to do with this, but suspect the DOF in a <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Horizontal Shift runs vertically above the plane of the Tape Measure whereas in the Vertical Shift the DOF runs horizontally.

As I learn more I will share if there's interest. There is one more tip for those learning a Tilt-Shift lens... Pack a notebook. The only way to compare various settings is to take copious notes on each setting referencing back to the image number.

**ddt0725** · 08-31-2011, 05:56 PM

This is great for you to share your experience and knowledge with us as you learn the capabilities a lens like this!

Only thing is, too bad it comes to late for me! Some of my most favorite shots I ever took were with my TS-E 90mm but I sold it shortly after I bought it just because of the few fantastic shots I got with it, I had no idea what I did to obtain them. My keeper ratio was low compared to my frustration level that I felt it deserved to be in more skilled hands. There was very little helpful information on the web for using it.

Maybe after this thread progresses, I will pick up another one and give it (and myself) another shot at it!

**btaylor** · 08-31-2011, 09:34 PM

Thanks for this Don, hopefully a few more people contribute to this thread. I

**iND** · 09-04-2011, 10:06 PM

I have been thinking about a tilt shift, a fill in lens to develop some special shots to have my work stand apart.

Not sure where to start. 24 35 90 ? 90 has great reviews and is less expensive, but not sure I want to use it for portraits.

I liked your first photo, with the 24, like the perspective it gives to the scene.

Is it typical to have the foreground in such good focus, when you set your focus on a far object?

Does anyone with tilt shift experience have a suggestion on what focal length start with?

**Don Burkett** · 09-05-2011, 03:35 AM

The great thing about the TS is the ability to manipulate the plane of focus so that the foreground and background are in focus. The opposite can be achieved as well so that only a small part of the image is in focus. I am liking the 24mm for landscapes on a 5D MII. But, I

**Don Burkett** · 09-05-2011, 09:10 PM

In this example, I wanted the entire scene in focus but also enough shutter speed to freeze the flags at the end of the pier. It was shot with TE-S24mm f/3.5L II - ISO 640 f/8 at 1/160th.

Without TS-E the aperture needed to capture the scene would not have yielded enough shutter speed. The image was processed as a single image HDR to get some vibrancy while holding the texture of the sky.

**Jonathan Huyer** · 09-06-2011, 03:49 AM

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This is a good topic... thanks for bringing it up and sharing your experiences. I also use the "focus to distance, tilt to closest" approach, but I repeat it a few times. When you make the first tilt, the focus of the distance item is usually thrown off slightly. So I readjust that, and then readjust the tilt. And then I repeat the process at least one more time. With live view and 10x zoom, it's not that hard. However, when you're dealing with a very cold winter sunrise shot, all that fiddling with dials can be a little painful on the bare fingers...... (but still worth it). This shot is with the 24 mm TS-E. The rocks in the foreground are inches away from the lens, and the peak of the mountain came out tack sharp. I still used f/16 to be safe, and the 1/3 second exposure helped to smooth a few ripples on the water as well.

[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/700x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/12/6761.IMG_5F00_0750_2D00_7.jpg[/img]
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**bob williams** · 09-06-2011, 11:52 PM

Don, This is some good stuff. I have only been slightly interested in TS photography, but never enough to purchase a lens----Now I'm interested enough to put a TS on my wishlist--I have actually been a little afraid of these things because I really didn't understand the concept---Your explanation cleared some of that up--Thanks.

I have a request that I think could benefit many: Several people have submitted "tutorials" or "how to" articles that Bryan is planning to add to the website, your explanation and use of TS would be a valuable addition to that collection. If you are interested please see the posting Call to All Forum Members--Ok, That's my sales pitch.

I did visit your website and your article"By any Measure"---One thing came to mind----Close Enough for GovernmentWork defined: "Measured with a micrometer, marked with chalk and cut with an axe"---You have to see the aerticle to understand---

Anyway, great article and great post.

Bob

**Chris White** · 09-07-2011, 01:06 AM

I too am following this thread with interest as I am looking to play around with my TS-E 24 II this fall. Thanks for starting it Don.

Originally Posted by Bob Williams

Close Enough for GovernmentWork defined: "Measured with a micrometer, marked with chalk and cut with an axe"

I like that Bob, do I need a release to use it?[

]

**bob williams** · 09-07-2011, 02:09 AM

Originally Posted by Chris White

I like that Bob, do I need a release to use it?[img]/emoticons/emotion-1.gif[/img]

Spread the word--

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