Nikon PC-E lens question

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Archive 2009 · Nikon PC-E lens question

kuau
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p.1 #1 · Nikon PC-E lens question

I am in the process of purchasing the 24,45,and 85mm PC-E lenses to uss with my D700 for landscapes.
I have been reading up on them and have noticed you can send the lenses in to Nikon and have the mount rotated or something like this.
Why would I want to do this?
I know it has something to do with the tilt and not the shift?
Thanks
Steven

Jul 02, 2009 at 07:59 PM

Rodolfo Paiz
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p.1 #2 · Nikon PC-E lens question

The tilt and shift functions are set up at 90 degrees to each other. If tilt is horizontal, then shift is vertical. Of course you can rotate the lens to any position you like, but tilt will always be 90 degrees from shift.

If you prefer to have the two functions operate in the same dimension, then you send the lens in to Nikon to have them rotate it. There is no need for this rotation, nor is either way "better"; it is simply a function of personal preference in how you want to compose and shoot your images.

Jul 02, 2009 at 08:18 PM

LeifG
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p.1 #3 · Nikon PC-E lens question

When using the 85mm PC for macro, it can be annoying that adjusting the tilt causes the image to shift, which requires that you loosen the tripod head, and manually move the camera, and possibly stuff the composition. If you align the shift and tilt axes, there is no longer a need to loosen the tripod head. You can instead use the shift to compensate for the image shift induced by the tilt. So it does provide convenience. On the 24mm this is much less of an issue. I have not used the 45mm so cannot comment.

For non macro I suspect most people tend to either use shift to correct converging verticals, or tilt to get the illusion of increased (or decreased) depth of field.

In the digital age the shift also comes in useful for stitching panoramas. If we assume a landscape shot, then we want to tilt to get the landscape in the plane of best focus. And if we then try and get tilt and shift for the landscape panorama, we see that it works well for the camera horizontal and for the camera vertical. But if we want to take a vertical panorama (tall and narrow) with tilt, then the tilt and shift axes are not aligned correctly by default. I assume that wide and short landscape panoramas are the kind most people take.

Jul 02, 2009 at 08:54 PM

kuau
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p.1 #4 · Nikon PC-E lens question

I'm a landscape shooter will be using shifts for stiching and tilts to manage dof am I a canadite for rotating the mount?

Jul 02, 2009 at 09:48 PM

Rodolfo Paiz
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p.1 #5 · Nikon PC-E lens question

As usual: it depends. If we assume that you're going to tilt down a degree or so to get the appearance of "infiinite DOF", then I see at least two ways to do the shot:

1. Keep the shift as it is (which, if you're tilting down, is left-right). Then take two shots: one shifted fully left, the other shifted fully right. Stitch, and you're done.

2. If you want reeeeaaaallly high resolution in your landscapes, then have Nikon rotate the functions so they are on the same axis. Place the camera in landscape orientation on the tripod, tilt down to get the focus plane where you want it. Now, take two shots (shifted up and shifted down), and these two shots will later get stitched to become the first "panel" in your bigger pano. Rotate the camera left or right using appropriate pano gear, and continue to take pairs of shots to make more panels. When you go home, stitch each vertical pair together, then stitch all the horizontal panels together. Lots more work, lots more megapixels in return.

So it's still up to you. Try it first the way it comes from the factory; then, if you feel the need, get one or all changed over. There is no right answer... you have to find your own answer that works for you.

Jul 02, 2009 at 10:38 PM

kuau
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p.1 #6 · Nikon PC-E lens question

Rodolfo,
thanks for explaining it to me. I will take you advice and try option 1 first see if I like the results. Than take it from there.

Steven

Jul 02, 2009 at 10:52 PM

davewolfs
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p.1 #7 · Nikon PC-E lens question

Before the wolves jump on me. If you are purchasing these lenses for landscape, why not consider Canon? They can be rotated in the field without having to send them out to Nikon service.

Jul 02, 2009 at 10:59 PM

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