Nikon 24mm PC-E Tilt Shift Lens

[ianbarber]

About a month ago, I purchased a 24mm Nikon PC-E lens. I have managed to master the Rise and Fall aspect of the lens for correcting verticals in building but I am struggling a little to master the Tilt function.

Has anyone got any practical experience using this lens especially the Tilt function or example images

 

[Canon Bob]

I have the Canon equivalent and the same rules apply. What is it about the tilt function you can't grasp? The most common thing I see is a tendency to tilt too much for height of the lens above the required plane of focus.

Bob

 

[ianbarber]

Tilting too much could be one of my issues. Do I need to focus on the distant subject and then Tilt for the Near subject or visa Versa

 

[Canon Bob]

I think it's best to simply know how much tilt you need for the lens height above the required plane.

Typical tripod height of 130cm only requires 1 degree of tilt (downwards)

 

[ianbarber]

And do I focus for the near subject and tilt for the rear subject or visa versa Bob ?

 

[Canon Bob]

If you're talking about landscape type scenes then you need to envisage where you're desired plane is situated and then focus at that point.

This excellent tome by David Summerhayes is probably the best article I've seen on the subject.

Bob

 

[HoppyUK]

Edit: crossed post with Bob (forgot to press post button). I'm sure it's all on his link

For max DoF, tilt according to Scheimpflug principle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheimpflug_principle I think the point Bob is making, is because with a DSLR the lens' optical pivot point is much closer to the camera than with say a large format camera with longer focal length, the angle of tilt needed is less than shown in most diagrams.

The point to focus on is the same as without tilt applied, ie as per normal according to DoF calc tables, but since tilting extends DoF so much, you'll be better using the percentage fore and aft figures as quoted on DoFmaster http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html and checking what you've actually got in live view.

 

[troutfisher]

Have a look here

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/using_tilt.html

there are also some very good links in the articles.
I don't know if your camera has live view but that really is a godsend.
If you have an android phone or tablet take a look at DSLR controller,it enables you to view and zoom the shot on your phone

 

[Darwinean_JohnUK]

Copy Hoppy and Bob

Another in-depth treatise recommended if you're interested in more of the theory is Harold M Merklinger - I hero amongst LF'ers.
The complexity of tilting emerges due to the fact that the plane of the lens is no longer parallel to the 'film' plane.
The physics and mathematics is different.
To fully understand, in addition to Scheimpflug, you'll also come across the 'Hinge Rule' - but its all in Merklinger.

Good luck