So this should be arriving shortly for use with my A7 (and also my OM-1 and OM-2) - an Olympus OM 35mm PC Shift lens
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Given that I shoot a lot of architectural subjects, I've been toying with the idea of a shift lens for years, but I've been making do with software solutions. Modern hi-res sensors let you get away with a lot.
One nice feature of the Olympus is that it allows you to easily shift both vertically and horizontally. I'm not so bothered by tilt functions.
Ffordes had one available at a decent price, though, so I pulled the trigger over the weekend. I'm guessing it's either something that I will either be using constantly or not at all; I'm about to find out which
Well, after a couple of weeks it has proven be be more 'using constantly' than not at all, which is a good thing. Here's a few thoughts...
I am enjoying hugely the compositional freedom with a shift lens allows; I would probably not have attempted this shot without it.
Triangle Estate by
Rob Telford, on Flickr
In a similar vein - I'm used to having to pre-visualise where the verticals will fall if I correct, but now I can just dial in some shift and see it in camera. I was pretty good with my guesses before, but this is far more accurate.
Triangle Estate by
Rob Telford, on Flickr
Rosebery Avenue by
Rob Telford, on Flickr
The Olympus' trick of shifting along two axes at once has proven useful - it allowed me to line up the boat and the columns below much better than I could have otherwise, and still retain the vertical correction.
Cascadas No. 3 by
Rob Telford, on Flickr
The A7's viewfinder 'spirit level' indicators, especially the forward/back tilt guide, have been invaluable when shooting without a tripod. Mirrorless scores hugely over a conventional SLR in this respect.
The downsides are having to stop down further than I normally would to keep image quality across the frame when shifted - f/11 and f/8 are my friends now and I won't be using it in low light without some support, but that goes with the territory.
As it doesn't have an auto-aperture mechanism, I've also discovered that it's too easy to knock the diaphragm button while shooting, which changes from stopped down to wide open. In my first few days with the lens, I came back with a bunch of photos inadvertently taken at f/2.8. Things get very messy in the corners when it's not stopped down to f/5.6 at least. I've learned to check before firing the shutter.
Sharpness probably isn't as good as many of my other primes, but it's good enough for 24 Mpx and I get back a lot of pixels from not having to correct perspective.
Overall, though, it's a definite win with this lens B)
Baker's Row by
Rob Telford, on Flickr
The Mall by
Rob Telford, on Flickr