I rented Canon's 24 mm tilt shift lens and gave it a spin for increasing depth of field. I was able to get it to work beautifuly only about 50% of the time. I suspect there is a learning curve. When it worked, it was great...flowers two feet away and distant mountains in focus. I also tried taking multiple shots incrementally changing the focus and using Helicon Focus software to combine them. It worked well too, especially when there was not a lot of wind. I have tried using it for macro flower shots in the field, but it doesn't work well because even the slightest bit of movement on a closeup screws up the process. On 24 mm landscapes it worked much better.
If time and money were no object, I think the tilt shift lens would be my choice for improving depth of field. I'm assuming with practice you could get most of the shots in sharp focus. Helicon Focus works too, but then you have to deal with taking 10 to 20 shots per image, time on the computer, storage space, organizational issues, etc.
If I shot digital all the time, I would definitely invest in the T/S lenses. They are great. The new versions from Canon and Nikon are supposed to be really sharp, too.
Using tilt does take a little practice. You really have to pay attention to the plane of focus. Things above and below the plane may be out of focus, which can make it tough in certain situations. Like a flower close up, distant mountains and then a big tree in the middle ground above the level of the mountains. That tree may be out of focus if your plane of focus is the flowers and the mountains, since it is well above the plane. Hope that makes some sense.
Tony
The quality of the images makes you want to run out and get one of those lens. Beautiful composition in your hands. I would have like to have seen one of the bad ones just for comparison.
I bought canon's 17mm t/s a few months ago and have found it a bit frustrating to use. However, when its set up properly it is the sharpest lens in my kit.
The images you posted are an inspiration for me to get my butt back in the field and learn how to use the darn thing.
I am shocked by the beauty of your first trip to the San Juans. Great job all around and more important what an awesome trip!
You are really making me miss Colorado with these photos.
I would love to hear more about your adventures including the 4x4 road travel which is not for the faint of heart. It looks like you may have had some rain as well.
As far as your question, well after we all picked our jaw off the floor, gee lets see... Um, yeah I think the 24mm T/S worked well for you here. I've never tried it myself. But your results make it look very promising. The 17mm interests me as well.
Tony, I finally got a chance to look at your San Juan portfolio. Outstanding work! You had great conditions and did a beautiful job showing them off. Looks like you know how to use that lens.
All the images are fabulous, but that first one is killer! You should post that in ES&S! Can't remember the last time you've posted over there... Great work.
I'm not sure what you are asking. Most of the shots were taken with a Canon 24mm TS-E II using tilt. The first shot is also an HDR image done in Photomatix.
Posted by Rodney Ninow on August 12, 2010 at 8:23 PM
What you need to learn is the Scheimpflug principle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheimpflug_principle When I shot my 4x5, I was aware that tilting the lens forward would give me "different" DOF than stopping down. So I always, in addition to tilting, would stop down to f32 or f45. Ok, I have a confession to make, I really haven't studied or looked at the Scheimpflug principle in 20 years, but I know of it.
Discussion
13 replieshttp://www.smugmug.com/gallery/13126803_C52ha#951959658_QkWmD
I rented Canon's 24 mm tilt shift lens and gave it a spin for increasing depth of field. I was able to get it to work beautifuly only about 50% of the time. I suspect there is a learning curve. When it worked, it was great...flowers two feet away and distant mountains in focus. I also tried taking multiple shots incrementally changing the focus and using Helicon Focus software to combine them. It worked well too, especially when there was not a lot of wind. I have tried using it for macro flower shots in the field, but it doesn't work well because even the slightest bit of movement on a closeup screws up the process. On 24 mm landscapes it worked much better.
If time and money were no object, I think the tilt shift lens would be my choice for improving depth of field. I'm assuming with practice you could get most of the shots in sharp focus. Helicon Focus works too, but then you have to deal with taking 10 to 20 shots per image, time on the computer, storage space, organizational issues, etc.
Using tilt does take a little practice. You really have to pay attention to the plane of focus. Things above and below the plane may be out of focus, which can make it tough in certain situations. Like a flower close up, distant mountains and then a big tree in the middle ground above the level of the mountains. That tree may be out of focus if your plane of focus is the flowers and the mountains, since it is well above the plane. Hope that makes some sense.
The quality of the images makes you want to run out and get one of those lens. Beautiful composition in your hands. I would have like to have seen one of the bad ones just for comparison.
Dan Ryan
Northern California
had as much or more to do with these excellent images than did the
TS Lens.
Sandy r
I am jealous. It looks like you had a great trip.
I bought canon's 17mm t/s a few months ago and have found it a bit frustrating to use. However, when its set up properly it is the sharpest lens in my kit.
The images you posted are an inspiration for me to get my butt back in the field and learn how to use the darn thing.
Thanks for sharing your photos.
Roland
I am shocked by the beauty of your first trip to the San Juans. Great job all around and more important what an awesome trip!
You are really making me miss Colorado with these photos.
I would love to hear more about your adventures including the 4x4 road travel which is not for the faint of heart. It looks like you may have had some rain as well.
As far as your question, well after we all picked our jaw off the floor, gee lets see...
Derek
All the images are fabulous, but that first one is killer! You should post that in ES&S! Can't remember the last time you've posted over there... Great work.
Lon
Tony