Tilt & shift lenses
Tilt & shift lenses, sometimes called perspective control lenses, may be pricey but they do open a world of creative possibilities. Luckily there are several lens options to achieve their effect. Here’s how to get started…
When I studied photography there was an unspoken snobbery regarding the format of camera you shot with. Shooting with a large format view camera was the pinnacle of respectability, but what was so special about them? Image quality was extremely high and an important factor, but I think the real attraction was amount of creative and technical control afforded by their tilt-and-shift movements – movements that are available to DSLRs if you have the right type of lens.
Perspective control lenses aren’t a new type of lens. The first 35mm lens featuring any kind movement was the Nikon 35mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor with shift and rotate was released in 1962. It was then in 1973 that Canon released the TS35mm f/2.8 S.S.C – the first lens to feature both tilt-and-shift movements. They were originally intended for correcting perspective issues commonly associated with architecture photography, although in recent years the more creative effects of them has been picked up by popular photographic culture. Rather than using these lenses for increasing depth-of-field and correcting perspective, photographers have taken up minimising depth-of-field to make the world look like a model shot with a macro lens.
Controlling depth-of-field
You may have heard of the scheimpflug principle, which can be slightly confusing but actually describes a very simple concept. It basically states that for a subject that is not parallel to the camera sensor to be totally in focus, the subject plane, lens plane and image plane must all intersect along an imaginary line.
You may have heard of the scheimpflug principle, which can be slightly confusing but actually describes a very simple concept. It basically states that for a subject that is not parallel to the camera sensor to be totally in focus, the subject plane, lens plane and image plane must all intersect along an imaginary line.
When the lens is set to the normal position so the sensor and the lens are parallel to one another, but the subject plane is not. At f/4 Depth-of field is very shallow. By tilting the lens so the lens plane is now more in line with the subject plane, depth-of-field will increased because the subject plane, lens plane and image plane all intersect along an imaginary line.
Tilt movement
The tilt movement allows the lens elements to be tilted in relation to the camera sensor so the plane of focus can be repositioned within the frame – this can be used to control the depth-of-field.
The tilt movement allows the lens elements to be tilted in relation to the camera sensor so the plane of focus can be repositioned within the frame – this can be used to control the depth-of-field.
Shift movement
The shift movement allows a horizontal or vertical movement of the lens for capturing tall or wide subjects. This prevents the need for tilting the camera back to fit the subject into the frame, which results in converging verticals.
The shift movement allows a horizontal or vertical movement of the lens for capturing tall or wide subjects. This prevents the need for tilting the camera back to fit the subject into the frame, which results in converging verticals.
How to create a miniature effect with a tilt and shift lens
Step 1 Set lens tiltAchieving the illusion of a miniature world requires a lens with a tilt movement. Setting this to the maximum tilt will allow you to control the line of sharpness in your shot. If you’re shooting in landscape format tilt the lens up. If you’re shooting in portrait format tilt the lens to the right so when in portrait format it’s actually tilted upwards.
Step 2 Apply exposure compensation
Set your camera to aperture-priority mode and choose the widest aperture possible. When using Tilt-and-shift movements exposure changes depending on the position of the lens, so it’s quite likely you’ll need to use exposure compensation. Remember that if the shot is too dark on the LCD screen you need to add overexposure (+). If the shot is too light you’ll need to underexpose (-).
Set your camera to aperture-priority mode and choose the widest aperture possible. When using Tilt-and-shift movements exposure changes depending on the position of the lens, so it’s quite likely you’ll need to use exposure compensation. Remember that if the shot is too dark on the LCD screen you need to add overexposure (+). If the shot is too light you’ll need to underexpose (-).
Step 3 Find an elevated viewpoint
An elevated position where you can get a 45 degree viewpoint over your subject will provide the best results. You may need permission to shoot from some locations, so it’s worth seeking this before you shoot. I shott many a lot of photos at ground level where results are slightly different.
An elevated position where you can get a 45 degree viewpoint over your subject will provide the best results. You may need permission to shoot from some locations, so it’s worth seeking this before you shoot. I shott many a lot of photos at ground level where results are slightly different.
Tilt & shift lens FAQs
Are tilt & shift lenses easy to use?
Tilt & shift lenses are as easy to use as any other lens. All you need to know is that the tilt movement is for controlling point of focus, while shift movements mostly allow you to fit tall or wide subjects into the frame without moving the camera.
Tilt & shift lenses are as easy to use as any other lens. All you need to know is that the tilt movement is for controlling point of focus, while shift movements mostly allow you to fit tall or wide subjects into the frame without moving the camera.
Are there many options available to buy?
Availability of tilt-and-shift lenses remains limited despite the popularity of their effects. Canon, Nikon and Samyang produce the largest range of high quality lenses, but a Ukrainian company called Arax produce cheaper options with a range of mounts for different manufacturers. Then there’s Lensbaby lenses, where there’s a range of different options available.
Availability of tilt-and-shift lenses remains limited despite the popularity of their effects. Canon, Nikon and Samyang produce the largest range of high quality lenses, but a Ukrainian company called Arax produce cheaper options with a range of mounts for different manufacturers. Then there’s Lensbaby lenses, where there’s a range of different options available.
Can I replicate the effect in Photoshop?
Achieving the effect of tilt & shift lenses is possible in Photoshop but the results aren’t as effective as getting it right in-camera. Making shots look like they’re of a model is easy, but they don’t look quite as good as the real thing and there are limitations with correcting perspective because you can only manipulate pixels so much before they give in.
Achieving the effect of tilt & shift lenses is possible in Photoshop but the results aren’t as effective as getting it right in-camera. Making shots look like they’re of a model is easy, but they don’t look quite as good as the real thing and there are limitations with correcting perspective because you can only manipulate pixels so much before they give in.
Should I buy or hire a tilt-and-shift lens?
There’s no skirting around the fact that tilt-and-shift lenses are expensive. The optics required for a wide image spread, the moving parts and the fact that manufactures don’t sell very many of these lenses all play a part in their high cost. Despite the high price there’s no doubt that the ability to apply tilt-and-shift movements opens up a world of creativity and control that can’t be ignored. Whether you’re interested in their practical application for correcting perspective and maximising depth-of-field, or creative use for minimising depth-of-field, tilt-and-shift lenses could be a welcome addition to most kit bags.
There’s no skirting around the fact that tilt-and-shift lenses are expensive. The optics required for a wide image spread, the moving parts and the fact that manufactures don’t sell very many of these lenses all play a part in their high cost. Despite the high price there’s no doubt that the ability to apply tilt-and-shift movements opens up a world of creativity and control that can’t be ignored. Whether you’re interested in their practical application for correcting perspective and maximising depth-of-field, or creative use for minimising depth-of-field, tilt-and-shift lenses could be a welcome addition to most kit bags.
To find out more about the affordable tilt lens used to take the shot above featuring a Carl Zeiss lens click here.
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