Tilt–shift photography

A tilt- and -shift lens (also TS lens, T & S lens ) is a special lens for photography or projection, which is moving (English: Shift) and pivoting (English: tilt) of the lens system with respect to the film plane possible.

The functions ' Tilt' and 'Shift ' are independent, so there are lenses that allow for example, only shift, but there are, for example, professional cameras, in which the functions are not implemented Tilt and Shift by the mechanics of the lens itself, but by the camera be.

Shift

When projecting Shift lenses allow the correct representation of the image format, if the projector for reasons of space can not be projected vertically on the screen ( alternative: electronic keystone correction ). Also, an accurate image overlay ( blend) of images from two or more projectors if they are above or next to each other, can be ensured.

Tilt

By pivoting the lens system allows the focal plane shift ( Scheimpflug rule). The sharpness level can be adjusted to the desired object level. This can be technical purposes ( consistent sharpness in an inclined plane ) and image design purposes ( works with selective focus, is used to simulate a shallow depth of field ).

The additional (selective ) blur that is sometimes desired for portraits, can be modeled with an image processing program, but it does not originate from a depth information, but is then defined by the position in the image is determined ( eg, the radial distance from the center of the image ).

Origins and technical implementation

This recording techniques derived from the field of large format and technical cameras, where the adjustability at least the front standard is common. For small-and medium-format photography special lenses or special adapters are necessary due to the usual there solid housing.

Special lenses

At present ( 2013) are Shift and tilt / shift lenses available for small format SLR systems from the camera manufacturers Canon and Nikon, as well as from other manufacturers such as Schneider Kreuznach, Samyang or hard lead from Kiev.

• T & S from Canon for small format: TS -E 17mm f / 4 TS-E 24mm f/3.5, TS -E 45mm f/2.8, TS -E 90mm f/2.8
• T & S Nikon for small image: Nikkor 24mm f3.5 PC-E ED D, Micro- Nikkor 45mm f2.8 PC-E ED D, Micro- Nikkor 85mm f2.8 PC-E ED D, Micro- Nikkor PC 85mm f2. 8 D
• T & S of Samyang for small format: TS 24mm 1:3.5 with connections for Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax
• T & S of hard lead for small format: TS- PC Hartblei 35 mm f/2.8, TS - PC Hartblei 65 mm f/3.5, TS - PC Hartblei 80 mm f/2.8, TS - PC Hartblei 120 mm f/2.8
• T & S of hard lead for medium format: TS- PC Hartblei 45 mm f/3.5
• T & S Schneider Kreuznach PC- TS Super - Angulon 4.5 / 28, PC -TS Super - Angulon 2.8 / 50 HM, PC -TS Macro - Symmar 4.5 / 90 HM, PC -TS Apo -Digitar 5, 6/120 HM Asperic

At current cameras, also some older, only used available lenses can be used. Mention may be made especially older PC Nikkor shift lenses with 28 mm and 35 mm for the Nikon system or the Olympus Zuiko Shift lenses.

All of these lenses have no focus, often no automatic iris control.

Development strategies for T & S lenses

In addition to the complete recalculation of a T & S lens (which is shown in simplified form a lens with a larger field of view and additional mechanics ) there are several other approaches.

• Adaptation of lenses the next higher image format class: For a T & S lens for small image you take an ordinary lens for medium format and adds to other mechanics. This approach is supported by the larger flange of medium format lenses (hard lead).
• Adapter without magnification: Similar to the adaptation, but the adapter mechanism as an intermediate ring is prepared similarly as a separate optical component (?)
• Adapter with Magnification: are taken lenses the camera itself. However, the adapter scales the image ( typically 1.5 x), thereby gaining back focus for a mechanism that allows a selection of the magnified image (Shift ) or the image can be tilted (Tilt) ( Hasselblad ).
• Sensor movement: It is not adjusted the lens, but the camera can move the sensor and tilt (TSE adapter).

However, the adaptation has the disadvantage not to allow UWW T & S lenses in any of these forms.

For small SLR cameras currently offer various manufacturers Shift and Tilt & Shift lenses or even Shift and Tilt adapter.

On the quality of the lens some special requirements. Compared with non-adjustable lens the image circle must be larger in order to get any shadows when you move. The edge sharpness has to be outstanding to allow the claimed advantages when pivoting at all.

Handling

The use of a T & S lens is significantly different from conventional lenses.

First, the camera is pointed with not geshiftetem lens at the subject and found the exposure and stored - the M mode is best suited for this. This first step is important because almost all cameras expose massively wrong For shifted lens with TTL metering.

Then, the camera is aligned so that the film plane is parallel to the plane which is to be displayed without distortion; in the case of architecture and landscape photography is meant mainly the exact horizontal alignment. As a reference, can an object in camera height (eye level ) are used, which must also be in the viewfinder at center; the image center is marked most clearly in the viewfinder, for example, by AF points.

The picture is only then determined by adjusting the lens.

When using a shift lens is almost always used with a tripod. This not only orientation and framing are precisely fixed, also can be used to achieve a large depth of field or a high edge sharpness without camera shake becomes an arbitrarily small aperture can be selected.