Tilt-Shift, Products and DOF

irw1

irw1

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Name
Ian
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Hi folks!

Can anyone please offer me any advice on using Tilt-Shift lenses in relation to product photography?

What I'm trying to do is photograph a product for a client, (that is about the size of a pair of sunglasses,) while keeping the dof large enough so that everything is in sharp focus.

At the moment, using a D3 and 105 macro, I cannot get close enough to the product to fill the frame, (a requirement,) and maintain the dof that I need. :bang: Will a tilt-shift help in this respect?

The final output will be huge posters, so I don't want increase the shooting distance to maintain the dof I need, as I will have to crop in too far to the product and hence quality suffers. :(

Any advice much appreciated! :thumbs:

Cheers,

Ian
 
Messiah Khan said:
Tilt shift could help with this. another, cheaper way of doing it is to use depth of field stacking;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_stacking

Combine ZP
http://hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/CZP/Installation.htm
or
Helicon Focus
http://www.heliconsoft.com/heliconfocus.html

Are the two most popular programs for doing this.

Edit; For maximum quality shoot at about f10 to avoid diffraction, and just use the stacking to built up the increased dof.
Click to expand...

As MK says camera on a macro rail and shoot a number of imges using the focus rail to move the camera focus point throught the subject, then stack the images to provide a image with all of the subject in focus - If you use CS4you can focus stack using that.
 
MK, thanks very much for the speedy reply mate. :thumbs:

You're right in that focus stacking would be a perfect solution usually, however, I may have to shoot numerous products, (sorry, forgot to mention this in the OP,) in the same way each month, and I think that it'll take too long to be profitable using this method. :(

Cost isn't an issue tbh, so buying a tilt shift is fine if it's likely to enable me to achieve the goal. Never having used one though, I didn't want to spend-out if I am barking up the wrong tree as to what the tilt shift could actually do for me! ;)

Edit Dogfish - thanks for your reply too fella, but I really think it'll be too time consuming. :-)
 
This was a test shot I done, when I tried my T/S lens

Test2.jpg


As you can see with a minimal depth of field, the lens can be tilted to align the focal plane diagonally along the product.

Trev
 
In that case, then yes, tilt shift it probably what you are after. but you still have options;

Buy a tilt shift lens (Limited movements, but complete unit)
Buy a large format technical camera (Would require the use of film)
Buy a large format technical camera with a digital back (Expensive!)

Or, and this is what we have done at work; Buy a tilt shift adapter such as the Cambo X2 Pro, and use large format lenses on a DSLR. This gives you a large range of movements and allows you to keep using the D3 for an efficient workflow. You would even be able to shoot tethered to a laptop and check for critical focus on a large screen as you shoot. Just my 2p. :)
 
Excuse the short reply from my phone guys!

Trev, thank you so much for taking the time to post your pen image, it demonstrates exactly what I was looking for! :-) I can't check the exif atm but I assume with a larger dof more of the newspaper would be sharp along the plane you have chosen?

Mk,wow, lots to consider there, thanks again for your time and great advice. :-) Not sure I would go down the large format route yet, but it's great to know that there are options! I had never considered the adapter for the dslr and large format lenses. Any idea what sort of cost I'd be looking at for a lens and adapter?
 
Hi Ian,

Yes you're correct, that image was taken at f3.5 to emphasise the focus.
 
TrevDR said:
Hi Ian,

Yes you're correct, that image was taken at f3.5 to emphasise the focus.
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks for confirming that. Looks like I might be going shopping for a TS later! :D

I'm thinking the nikon 85mm might be more useful to me than the 45mm...hmmm decisions, decisions!!:thinking:
 
ecniv said:
if its a one off - can you borrow / loan the lens take the shots and return it after a day or two..??
Click to expand...

It's not a one off, I could/should be doing the same shots every month. I considered hiring one, but nowhere had one in stock, so I bought one anyway. :p

I went for the PC-E 85mm f/2.8 - it's supposedly very sharp and with it's tilty shiftiness loveliness I should be able to get the result I'm looking for... hopefully... :D Will test it tomorrow and report back!

Thanks very much again to everyone who took the time to help with advice and piccys - much appreciated. :thumbs:

Ian
 
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