Question For Tilt - Shift lens

Neither. For maximum depth of field, you should always focus at the hyperfocal distance. Of course this is completely independent of the subject distance. So if your primary subject is close to you, it might be out of focus. Perhaps you don't really want "maximum depth of field"?
 
Try to be on longer or narrower aperture f-stop, even with tilt i will not use f2.8 or wider, i may use minimum f5.6, i don't have that lens and never used it, but i am trying to learn that tilt shift with my large format cameras.
 
Focussing a tilt-shift requires a different mind-set to a "normal" lens. To get maximum depth of field you use the tilt function to align the focal plane with what you want to be in focus - so in a typical landscape you adjust the lens so that the focal plane is flat along the ground.
Now the thing is that adjusting focus when you have tilt applied also changes the plane of focus.
I'll admit that I'm still learning how to use mine but started off using the "iterative" method described here http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/focus-with-tilt.html

The other thing to realise is that the effect of aperture on depth of field is a bit different too. With tilt applied DOF is wedge shaped - thin near the camera wider further away - at narrower apertures the wedge becomes fatter more quickly. So you can get the situation where something on the ground nearby is in focus, something far away on the ground is in focus but a branch of a tree in the middle ground but higher up is blurred - until you stop down a bit so the "wedge" broadens to include stuff higher up.......

Have you got the T-S lens yet - I found that the only way that anything made sense with them was by getting out and using it.

And forgetting the "old" rules :)
 
Krisstiffer said:
Have you got the T-S lens yet - I found that the only way that anything made sense with them was by getting out and using it.

And forgetting the "old" rules :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the replies. Yes the lens came today. I have done a few shots but not mastered it yet. I was in 2 minds whether to stay with it or return it.

I like the lens, the adjustments knobs are a little small but the focus ring is beautiful. Its the Nikon 24mm PCE

May do so more testing tomorrow.
 
If you tilt the lens down, the plane of focus tilts away from you at the top of the frame, and towards you at the bottom. So you should focus on the middle ground before tilting, and then apply the tilt. You'll also want to set exposure before tilting as the camera will probably not set it correctly afterwards. Google the Scheimpflug principle - a few diagrams will probably make it all a lot clearer!
 
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