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Tilt/Shift (TS) lenses for 35mm and digital SLRs provide two types of adjustments
that mimic large format camera adjustments. They can be used to correct perspective
(particularly handy when shooting geometric shapes) and they can be used to
control focusing for close-up work. This piece concentrates on the perspective
variation capabilities of these useful tools.
Also referred to as Perspective Correction (PC) lenses, T/S lenses have moveable
front elements for changing the view angle. The Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 used for
this article is an excellent lens that serious photographers might want to consider.
The front elements can be moved up or down a track to simulate the movement
of a lens on a large format camera. (To control focusing, the lens can also
be tilted.)
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1.
A common use of the tilt/shift lens is for shooting tall structures.
You can shift the lens, rather than pointing the camera upward,
and thereby avoid common perspective problems.
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Correct Converging Verticals
Shifting the lens makes it possible to take a picture of a tall structure like
the skyscraper in Photo #1 without pointing the camera upward. This enables
you to avoid rendering buildings as though they’re falling over backwards
as in Photo #2 (with the corrected image as an inset). Since the front element
can be rotated, it’s possible to move it up, down, sideways or diagonally
in varying degrees.
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2.
The inset photo illustrates how the tilt/shift lens can correct
converging verticals and the impression that the tall buildings
are falling backward.
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When shooting buildings, skylines, cityscapes or large geometric shapes that
you want to represent accurately, set the shift adjustment so that the track
travels vertically. For the greatest degree of precision, mount the camera atop
a sturdy tripod while you are fine-tuning the adjustments. The goal is to keep
the back plane of the camera parallel to the vertical plane of the subject.
The more accurately the two are aligned, the better the image will look. Be
sure not to over-correct, or the subject will appear as though it’s falling
toward you. Photo #3 is the corrected image with the uncorrected and over-corrected
photos as insets.
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3.
For maximum accuracy when using the tilt/shift lens for architectural
photography, mount the camera top a tripod before fine-tuning
the adjustments.
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