just wondering.... what do people primarily use these lenses for? I understand the 17 and 24 for landscape/architectural uses, but wondering about the 45 and 90mm. are they geared towards other specific applications?
I am using them most of the time as straight lenses, using movements only if needed. The 90 is a superb short telephoto and close-up lens, and has amazing OOF areas. The 45 is an uber-normal: everything you could want in image control for a normal lens (except AF and IS). Yes, they are a bit bulky, but the images are beautiful.
The 90 T/S is one of my most used lenses. First choice for many product shots and for stitched copywork where I need a larger file than a straight shot will give me. I also use it for portraits if I need to alter the plane of focus. The 45 is a strange lens, as it's not at all in the same league as the other three. The 45 is pretty sharp in the center, but not 24 T/S II sharp, and the 45 is plagued by a huge amount of color fringing toward the edges that just should not be there on a lens like this. That being said, I use is for product shots and I've used it for portraits as well as urban landscape and an occasional architectural shot where a wide angle is not called for.
On my 1Ds, I only use alternative lenses. However, the 90 TS-E is the one Canon lens I crave. Tilt movement at 90mm is ideal for product photography. I manage with a different T/S lens of 100mm, but it lacks auto-diaphragm capability. BTW, Google Images shows how people really use tilt/shift: creating landscape miniatures. Ridiculous.
I recently picked up a 90mm TS-E after borrowing a friends a number of times. I use it mostly for landscape work. I really like the ease of making 2.45 to 1 panos (a ratio I think is very pleasing) by shooting 3 images, full shift left, center, full shift right.... They merge perfectly and its quick and easy.
I agree with the consensus on the 90mm TS-E lens... I use it for landscapes as well as macro shots. For the latter, using an extension tube and tilt functions offers great possibilities and depth of field control.
The 90 TS-E is Canon's secret weapon. Killer image quality and the versatility of tilt and shift, and, by today's standards, inexpensive. I use it for seascapes. Sharp (with tilt) from up close to the horizon, and pick any aperture you need for IQ and shutter speed to stop wave action. Nothing like it.
I use mine a LOT during engagement sessions when i want to have the couples faces in focus, and nothing else. Live view is a real help nailing it.
Never thought about using the 90 and stitching for a pano.. and I used my 24 also exclusivity for that!
Now i just need to get the 17.....
kodakeos wrote:
Never thought about using the 90 and stitching for a pano.. and I used my 24 also exclusivity for that!
Now i just need to get the 17.....
In mountain scenes a wide angle will make the mountains seem far less dramatic/impressive than the really are to the eye. The short telephoto FOV along the the DOF possible with the T/S really works well.
+1 What splathrop and others said re the 90 - marvelously adaptable lens.
I use both the 24 and 90 primarily for architecture, cityscapes, and landscapes. Combining the 90's telephoto compression with shift is useful to me. The 90 also gets used for the little bit of product work I do, and also flowers and stills. It is a wonderful flower lens.
I had a 45 ts-e but sold it to fund the upgrade to the 24 II. It was my least used ts-e, not sure why.
I use my 45 and 90 for shooting architectural details and occasionally a medium distance shot. Both are fantastic, but I think Canon may update these in the near future as they are going for considerably less than a year or two ago. So maybe they are on run-out special?
I took the 90 TS-E out today to work with landscape/architecture using the tilt and swivel, no shift. All shots were hand held and concentrated on details or vignettes. I used a combo filter rig I've been practicing with for some upcoming head shots: step up rings to 82mm CPL (to reduce f/stop and DOF) and Schneider Warm Black Frost 1/8 in Series 9 mount with Tiffen collapsible hood -- quite a cinematic looking lens assembly! Works great though, so I expanded my testing to the Thousand Oaks Civic Center.
Here's a pano of 4 horizontal images using tilt and 45 degree swivel toward the left. You might be able to see the softness in the upper tree on the right, but the sharpness in the window blinds underneath it, as well as all the foreground grasses. Same for the terraced flowers on the left -- slightly less in focus than the foreground and middle to lower picture frame. This a mild example of why tilt is often not usable in scenes with both horizontal planes (ground) and vertical planes (tall trees, tall buildings, or cliffs). There is no perfect solution, but you use the best tool with the best settings. It's all about choices, and that's why I like the TS-E lenses -- lots of choices.
Window reflection on a seemingly blank wall.
5D2, 90 TS-E, f/5.6 @ 1/80, ISO 200, hand held.
Really, Joshua? That is one of Canon's finest lenses, unless you are just pulling my leg, wanting to see me writhe in pain and photo-spasms!
Such a great lens! I'm torn on which to use on those head shots -- between the 90 with its lovely bokeh at f/2.8 or the Samyang 85 at f/2! Arrrrrgggg! Leaning toward the 90 with its tilt.
Jim, I know that that lens is awesome but I didn't use it that much and I am in the consolidation mode if you know what I mean. But you know me, it doesn't take much to talk senses into me again.... .
Tilt movement at 90mm is ideal for product photography. I manage with a different T/S lens of 100mm, but it lacks auto-diaphragm capability. BTW, Google Images shows how people really use tilt/shift: creating landscape miniatures. Ridiculous.
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