I know this topic is probably been discussed so many times but I'm looking to purchase a selective control system for a nikon body. I have over the years done the digital manipulation (ps) on wedding detail shots and couples but it's obvious that it lacks something each time. As much as i trust the Nikon tilt shifts I wonder if the composers with the sweet 35 is a good option. I just want the occasional detail shot or wider angled portrait with a touch of fun. Any help would be so appreciated.
if you're not using the T/S specifically for the tilting and shifting reasons, i.e. product or architecture. Forego spending the dough on it and practice your freelensing.
Ryan Brenizer posted a great tutorial on B&H's site:
Lensbaby lenses are really lacking sharpness and ease of use, it's hit or miss. I would never have printed anything from my lensbaby, but it was good enough for facebook. The Nikon TS lenses are quite great, but you could also take a look at the new Samyang TS. But it's hard to use in quick changing environements, so not in my bag anymore. Photoshop does it equally well for detail shots with the right plugin or some work.
I actually can't seem to freelens on my d800? Do you know why? The image comes out black. I shoot in liveview, all manual for control but it seems the camera won't fire an image without the lens attached, could I be doing something wrong?
Im a canon shooter, so i might be off base. I think with nikon, you need to use a lens with the aperture ring, right? In canon, i just set the f stop and pop off the lens and it works.
You saved my pocketbook. Just gave it a try with my daughter (very patient with me.lol) and although I'm not fully geting it right, it's getting there. Thanks so much for the advice. With the ap ring it's easy to lock it, and with the advanced rings you just have to depress the trigger on the metal ring to lock the aperture.
That's a great job for your first attempt. I hear it's easier to do with Nikon compared to Canon (w/a Canon lens). I tried it on my Canon crop camera and although I could do it I had a hard time beining consistent with getting the focus I wanted.
I was using live view, and after watching another tutorial I was trying it with an old pentax 50mm. I can't seem to get focus from a distance though, only when I'm close up with both nikon and other lenses. Is there a trick to focusing from further away?
I figured out that shortly after I caught a youtube on it. open it to f2 and it was fine, as well as my newer lens it just means you have to depress the tab on the ring to keep it open
TTLKurtis wrote:
As usual on this subject I will chime in with a simple 'so why would a client want this effect...?'
b/c maybe the photog likes it, so they put one photo in their portfolio like it, and the client keyed on that image, and they like it.....who cares why they like it....i'm PRETTTTY sure that 1 or 2 photos like this in your portfolio isn't going to scare a client away if the rest of your work is solid....
I've experimented a bit with this as well...mainly just for fun, haven't messed with it too much, except for on ring shots where i didn't have a macro handy...I will say that when i first started, i was pulling the lens too far off the mount, and not getting great results...i'd say the max tilt i've been able to get is about 1 degree or so, maybe 2.....basically one side of the lens touching the mount, the other side of the lens about 1/16" off the mount.
Oh, and the original question, a lens baby isn't a substitute for a tilt shift, if a TS is the right tool for the job....it doesn't look the same...
And on Canon, the procedure is, if you dont wanna shoot wide open, you set the aperture, stop down with the DOF preview button, and pull the lens off the mount, and the aperture stays stopped down.
Chris Fawkes wrote:
It can look terrific when done right and horrid when not.
It's true of any photography. I can only say that the lensbaby portraits I produce (with the original cheapest lens baby), are some of my most sold portraiture.
Generally, it skews with age. I only shoot couples under 30 now as a rule because they are more willing to experiment, and, as a result, desire unique and unconventional photography. Some people hate it, some ppl love it.
The world would be a boring place if we all liked the same things, and to be honest, most wedding photographers are producing the exact same look these days. The young couples then get to me and see my lensbaby shots and they know they are dealing with a guy who is willing to take chances.
CareyNash wrote:
I figured out that shortly after I caught a youtube on it. open it to f2 and it was fine, as well as my newer lens it just means you have to depress the tab on the ring to keep it open
I will usually rip off a little piece of cardboard or roll a piece of paper and stick it in there to keep the tab open on the G lenses.
