Canon 90mm tilt lens - how to use? - FM Forums

Register · Software · Search · Image Upload · Buy & Sell · Reviews · Hosting

Moderated by: guardian

Visit the FM Store · Image Upload · Buy & Sell
FM Forum Rules
Canon SLRs, primes, and zooms lenses reviews

FM Forums | Canon-mount SLRs | Join Image Upload
end

Iain Williams
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #1 · Canon 90mm tilt lens - how to use?

Hi

I have recently purchased a canon 90mm 2.8 tilt lens; the main purpose being for flower photography.

I've read several "how to" sheets on the net, but still cannot fathom how to use this lens correctly. I've seen some excellent results so I know it isn't the lens - it's me!

They say "focus on the distance wide open, then tilt the lens (using the t knob) and wait until the foreground moves into focus. Then, focus on the distance again and close down a stop or two for better DOF.

OK this is what I have been doing - but when you use the tilt knob only a section of the image is in focus - not the entire image. So a lot of cropping is needed to get only the in focus material.

I'm obviously lost. Can someone help me please. Thanks....Iain

Oct 11, 2008 at 08:35 AM

jcolwell
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #2 · Canon 90mm tilt lens - how to use?

The amount of tilt you need depends on the focal length and how far the camera is located above the ground (assuming it's the horizontal plane you want in focus). I think the best place to learn about how to use camera movements is the Large Format Photography site. This page has probably the best discussion on using tilt:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/how-to-focus.html

If you really want to get into it, Harold Merklinger explains the Scheimpflug Principle and Hinge Rule at: http://www.trenholm.org/hmmerk/#SR

Oct 11, 2008 at 10:49 AM

Iain Williams
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #3 · Canon 90mm tilt lens - how to use?

Thanks - I'll give those sites a read....Iain

Oct 11, 2008 at 11:43 AM

mcbroomf
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #4 · Canon 90mm tilt lens - how to use?

If you can post a photo or a link to one that shows the kind of problem you're having it will help us diagnose it. The shorter TS lenses can get fairly extreme foreground/background ranges in focus, the 90mm less so. However it also possible to over tilt. You really should be able to see what's happening as you tilt through the viewfinder, ie if you're over tilting you should see the foreground go through good focus to OOF, but if the lens can't be tilted far enough you'll see it get better but not completely in focus. By the way I prefer to focus on the middle distance, or even middle/foregound before I start tilting.

Mike

Oct 11, 2008 at 11:51 AM

Iain Williams
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #5 · Canon 90mm tilt lens - how to use?

Thanks Mike. I think I am expecting too much DOF/tilt ability with a 90mm lens.

If I were using the 24 tilt then I would expect front to rear focus - but not so with the 90mm.

I'll read the sites posted & do some trial and error. Thanks...Iain

Oct 12, 2008 at 12:45 AM

PhotoMaximum
Online
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #6 · Canon 90mm tilt lens - how to use?

Most new users to the Tilt/Shift lenses crank the tilt or shift to its maximum. Not the best way...

If say you are shooting some products from slightly above then you will need some tilt but not a lot of tilt. Its best to start with the lens at normal and carefully increase the tilt. The refocus and check the exposure.

A good test is to shoot a tape measure on the floor. Have the end of the measure in the bottom of the photo while the camera is set vertically on a tripod. Pull the tape out like six feet. Shoot a pic at f/2.8 at the middle of the of the tape measure. Then repeat at f/11. Then play with the tilt until you think you have the best depth of focus. Repeat the test and shoot one more at 5.6.

You will find that the tilt shot shots (if done properly) yield great DOF. And the amount of tilt is not that much.

The best way of REALLY playing with all this is by fiddling with a 4x5 view camera. IMO, playing with a view camera is great experience even if all you shoot is 35mm...

Max

Oct 12, 2008 at 03:23 AM

mh2000
Online
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #7 · Canon 90mm tilt lens - how to use?

it is not obvious if you completely understand that you don't technically get any more DOF from a T/S lens, just the ability to tilt the plane of focus within the scene.

Hopefully you have a body with a good focusing screen... then I just focus on my subject and rock the knob and pay attention to the extremes and see how good I can get... even handheld I am usually very happy with my results. The 90 is a great lens! To avoid metering problems I mainly rely on manual mode and Sunny-16 outdoors.

good luck!

Oct 12, 2008 at 04:38 AM

Iain Williams
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #8 · Canon 90mm tilt lens - how to use?

it is not obvious if you completely understand that you don't technically get any more DOF from a T/S lens, just the ability to tilt the plane of focus within the scene.

Yes I understand this - I just need to play I guess....Iain

Oct 12, 2008 at 04:43 AM


FM Forums \| Canon-mount SLRs \| Join Image Upload end