Canon TS-E45mm f/2.8

[schmoelzel]

Greetings from warm and summer-like London Ontario Canada!! This past week has been quite fruitful for myself; my new glass arrived and I was lucky to get some great weather to try out the new arrivals. I decided that I needed a lens that would let me take product shots for my tea-shop (www.theteahaus.com (http://www.theteahaus.com)) but even though I often use my 35L and 17-40L to great effect, I had read a lot about a tilt & shift lens making this type of photography much more effective. I had tried a Hartblei tilt & shift lens last year but honestly never really put in the effort to learn how to use it. These lenses do take a lot of practice and patience! Firstly, they are manual; meaning forget about AF performance..........you have to focus manually because you are altering the focus plane. What they let you accomplish is to shoot at a fast aperture (f2.8 in this case) but get your whole subject in focus without having to stop down the lens. Why would you want to do this? Well, a lot of product shots are taken with real-life backgrounds rather than just plain white studio back-drops. If you were to stop the lens down (and increase your DoF), your background would obviously also be in better focus and distract from your main subject. By moving the the focus plane, you can get your subject in focus but still retain your wide aperture and the blurred background. Sound confusing??? Join the club!! I have read and read and am still confused by all this............I am sure someone here on the forums can give a more detailed and technical explanation (Scheimpflug principle).

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/DRebelPix/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/Both.jpg


How does it work? As you can see in the shots of the lens, there are two adjustment knobs; one lets you tilt the focus plane and the other lets you shift. Tilting gives you that 'strange' looking focus plane effect while shifting lets you compose panoramic-style shots. The shift is most useful in architectural photography and tilting is very useful with product-style shots. Of course you can leave the lens as is and it becomes a very good 45f2.8 lens. There is also a small switch (very very small!) that rotates the whole lens in a circular motion (counter-clockwise). Haven't explored this too much yet but I am sure it will come in handy.

The next two shots try and demonstrate why the tilt is so helpful.

No tilt

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/DRebelPix/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/No-Tilt.jpg

Full tilt

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/DRebelPix/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/Full-Tilt.jpg

Is it sharp? Right to the meat of the matter!! Probably the most common question concerning any lens and sometimes seems to take on an importance far beyond what most people can distinguish! But for all you 'sharp-freaks' (me included!!), it is a very sharp lens; wide-open performance is excellent and stopped down it gets even sharper. Colour is very very good and accurate!! I was pleasently surprised that I have had to do very little colour correction even with my 1D set to AWB. Detail is very well resolved and contrast is top-notch. I am surprised that this thing doesn't have a red ring around the barrel! I would say that performance-wise, it is similiar to the 50f1.4 maybe even a tad sharper. That's a very good pedigree to relate to for any optic!!

How is the AF (autofocus)? In a word, non-existant!! No lie, this $1200 optic has no auto-focus capabilities since it does shift the focus plane. The AF ring is smooth and precise; with the fast aperture and no tilt applied, the focus is clearly observed in the viewfinder of my 1D. I think that with cameras with smaller viewfinders, it might be a bit of a chore to see the tilt effect. I also have a EC-B view-screen installed (that's the one with a split-prism) and this helps quite a lot too. The one nice feature this lens has is that the focus point will beep when you have achieved focus. That 'beep' sure sounds reassuring when you are trying to focus on a moving two-year old!!

Could I use it as a door-stop? My favourite question to answer in these mini-reviews: NO!! It is not very heavy and any door would easily blow shut with this optic holding it open.

Does the hood work? I don't see why it wouldn't but I was surprised that the included hood (strange since it's not considered an L lens) isn't of a petal-type. As you can see by the pics of the lens, it is very similiar to the 85L hood, only not as deep. It is very wide (has a large diameter) so some might complain that it has a hard time being stored on the lens when in a camera bag.

Bokeh? With a fast aperture (f2.8), this lens renders OOF highlights very well and subject isolation is good. Because it is a fairly wide focal length, you really have to get close to your subject if you want to blur out the background. Again, I would compare the quality of the bokeh to the 50f1.4, which is a compliment!

Well, there you have it! My first brief impressions of this very specialized type of optic. I can see that it will take a little while for me to get proficient with this lens but there is fun in the learning!! One more point to add here is that this is the first lens that I actually read the manual for!! It is a very thick booklet and goes into some detail as far as the principles of tilt/shift photography. The shot of Julia (no tilt or shift) is the first shot I took with this lens........obviously there was no tilt or shift since I had no idea how to tilt or shift the lens! Thanks for reading and looking. Comments and questions are always welcome and I will do my best to answer them!!

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/DRebelPix/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/Julia-notilt.jpg

[Jon]

The usual masterful work. You may not have committed the theory to memory, but you've got the practice down pat.

On the hood - well, it has to be able to accomodate the lens tilts and shifts, so it's got to be extra wide. Petal hoods closely fit the lens coverage, but you hardly know where that's going to be on his, especially if tilt & shift are realigned.

Scheimpflug principle in brief - tilt the lens so the focal plane extended, the subject's desired plane of focus, and a perpendicular to the lens axis all converge at the same point for maximum DoF.

[cjm]

How does it work for say a building? Any noticeable difference?

[CorruptedPhotographer]

cj, what do you mean? Do you mean the shift function or tilt?

[MDJAK]

Schmoelzel, please tell me why you don't write for magazines? Oh, I know. You're just too good. I always look for your posts.

It's also fantastic to see your Julia growing up. Your photographic talent is amazing.

As to the lens, curious why you decided on the 45 instead of the 24. I've been wanting one of these tilt/shift lenses for quite sometime now. One day, probably after I add what I believe to be your favorite lens to my collection (85L sound familiar?) and the 300 f2.8.

Thanks. I'd love to see more samples of that lens at work.

mark

[cjm]

In John Freeman books he always talks about Tilt shift lens and how they make a building look straighter instead of the leaning back look. Just wondering if this lens does this. Looks like a great lens whatever it does.

[MDJAK]

In John Freeman books he always talks about Tilt shift lens and how they make a building look straighter instead of the leaning back look. Just wondering if this lens does this. Looks like a great lens whatever it does.

Yes, the tilt/shift lenses do that in spades.

[cjm]

Thats what I thought. Actually come to think of it I think John Freeman uses this lens.

[Mike K]

Lots of Tilt shift references (with an emphasis on tilt, not shift)

http://hame.ca/tiltshift.htm

Several galleries, and read the section of "Technical Explanation of T/S Photography".
And references to on line reviews of T/S lenses (including the one I wrote on the Hartblei 35).
Mike K

[schmoelzel]

The usual masterful work. You may not have committed the theory to memory, but you've got the practice down pat.

On the hood - well, it has to be able to accomodate the lens tilts and shifts, so it's got to be extra wide. Petal hoods closely fit the lens coverage, but you hardly know where that's going to be on his, especially if tilt & shift are realigned.

Scheimpflug principle in brief - tilt the lens so the focal plane extended, the subject's desired plane of focus, and a perpendicular to the lens axis all converge at the same point for maximum DoF.

Thank you Jon for the kind words!! Still have a lot to learn with this optic but half the fun is in the learning!! I am very surprised that this isn't considered an L lens........build, colour, contrast, all remind me of my favourite Canon L primes. It does have the L pricetag though!!

[Jon]

In John Freeman books he always talks about Tilt shift lens and how they make a building look straighter instead of the leaning back look. Just wondering if this lens does this. Looks like a great lens whatever it does.It will. That uses the shift, rather than the tilt, so you can keep the camera parallel to the building and raise the lens. Think of it as using a hugely excessive wide angle lens and cropping out just the part you need.

[lakiluno]

they really gotta disable the 8) smily - (f/2.8) can't really be taken seriously...

and they need to only have :o, and not :o and :oops: (that second one is : oops : to you and me)

anyway...A really full featured review, excellent. I still don't quite understand the whole tilt shift thing (I remember seeing something about it making buildings appear straight instead of getting narrower...whats that about?), but I'll just google it and spend some time reading.

Leo

[I Simonius]

Thank you Jon for the kind words!! Still have a lot to learn with this optic but half the fun is in the learning!! I am very surprised that this isn't considered an L lens........build, colour, contrast, all remind me of my favourite Canon L primes. It does have the L pricetag though!!

was the camera the 1Ds used for the child (Julia) pic?

[Double Negative]

Don't forget, a Canon service center (or you yourself!) can modify the lens to tilt AND shift on the same axis (by default they're 90º apart).

[schmoelzel]

Don't forget, a Canon service center (or you yourself!) can modify the lens to tilt AND shift on the same axis (by default they're 90º apart).

Good point....might do this; just not yet!!

[RAitch]

Like I said before, you could take a nice picture with a brick.
The tilt shift could be handy for some portrait work... Taking a head on shot of somebody looking to the side while keeping both eyes (facial plane) in focus. Man, that's gotta be touch with all those manual controls.

Look forward to more shots Michael.

[schmoelzel]

Schmoelzel, please tell me why you don't write for magazines? Oh, I know. You're just too good. I always look for your posts.

It's also fantastic to see your Julia growing up. Your photographic talent is amazing.

As to the lens, curious why you decided on the 45 instead of the 24. I've been wanting one of these tilt/shift lenses for quite sometime now. One day, probably after I add what I believe to be your favorite lens to my collection (85L sound familiar?) and the 300 f2.8.

Thanks. I'd love to see more samples of that lens at work.

mark

I am not too much of a landscape type of shooter so 45mm seems more logical to me than 24!! Plus, I had heard that the 45 and 90 TS-E's were optically better than the 24 (even though the 24 is the L lens!). Thanks for the compliments!!

[schmoelzel]

Like I said before, you could take a nice picture with a brick.
The tilt shift could be handy for some portrait work... Taking a head on shot of somebody looking to the side while keeping both eyes (facial plane) in focus. Man, that's gotta be touch with all those manual controls.

Look forward to more shots Michael.

Richard, it is an interesting type of lens!! I can see it being over-used though so you have to be really careful and use it (tilt) only when really needed!! Thanks for the compliment!! And yeah, manual focus takes some getting used to.......I think we have all been spoiled by the amazing AF qualitites in our canon glass and bodies.......

[schmoelzel]

was the camera the 1Ds used for the child (Julia) pic?

I wish Simon!! :D I still have my well-used 1D.......someday maybe FF but for now this is the camera for me!

[Double Negative]

I am not too much of a landscape type of shooter so 45mm seems more logical to me than 24!! Plus, I had heard that the 45 and 90 TS-E's were optically better than the 24 (even though the 24 is the L lens!). Thanks for the compliments!!
Yeah, the 24mm seems to be much worse off than the other two optically, despite the L. Weird - and too bad, as that would be much more useful for landscapes and architecture, IMO. But I guess you're really better off with the 45mm for architecture since it'll have less distortion over the 24mm. Just hope you're not operating in tight quarters...

[picnic]

Yeah, the 24mm seems to be much worse off than the other two optically, despite the L. Weird - and too bad, as that would be much more useful for landscapes and architecture, IMO. But I guess you're really better off with the 45mm for architecture since it'll have less distortion over the 24mm. Just hope you're not operating in tight quarters...

Can I bring this thread up again??? I'm renting the 24 T/S lens for 2 weeks--and have done a lot of research for the past year on this. I now have the 5D so it pushed me over the edge and I'm trying to decide what to do. Though I feel the 24 is wider than I want (esp. on FF), I will say that the 24 is terrific for landscapes--but VERY difficult to MF without an angle C viewer and a better screen. I have found a number of pros using this lens for both landscapes and architectural shots with great success and they feel their copies are very good. The one I'm renting also seems quite good though I haven't scrutinized it as I would a lens I bought.

Now--I'm trying to decide whether to jump into a T/S with a less expensive lens (Hartblei 35 or Arsat 35) or go for broke with the Canon 45. I suspect I'll go with the lesser and see how much I use the lens and how I use it (my interest is extension of the plane of focus, flat stitch panos, selective focus--and perspective control as the lesser use).

Diane

[DrPablo]

Regarding the 24 TSE, I bought mine used for $900 a couple weeks ago and use it on a 300D. It's magnificent. It has all the color rendition I expect from an L-lens. It loses a tiny bit of sharpness at full shift (11mm), but even at 9 and 10mm shift it's very sharp. Metering is the only tricky part for me, as it loses light with increasing shift but the camera won't meter accurately. So you need to meter with no shift, then do your shifting and adjust by about a stop (Canon discusses this in the manual). I've now put it on my 35mm Rebel G, and taking it around with some Velvia 100. With the full frame it goes from great to even better.

All these shots are at near full shift.


http://DrPablo.smugmug.com/photos/70056394-L-1.jpg



http://DrPablo.smugmug.com/photos/70306963-L.jpg



http://DrPablo.smugmug.com/photos/69797955-L.jpg

[schmoelzel]

Can I bring this thread up again??? I'm renting the 24 T/S lens for 2 weeks--and have done a lot of research for the past year on this. I now have the 5D so it pushed me over the edge and I'm trying to decide what to do. Though I feel the 24 is wider than I want (esp. on FF), I will say that the 24 is terrific for landscapes--but VERY difficult to MF without an angle C viewer and a better screen. I have found a number of pros using this lens for both landscapes and architectural shots with great success and they feel their copies are very good. The one I'm renting also seems quite good though I haven't scrutinized it as I would a lens I bought.

Now--I'm trying to decide whether to jump into a T/S with a less expensive lens (Hartblei 35 or Arsat 35) or go for broke with the Canon 45. I suspect I'll go with the lesser and see how much I use the lens and how I use it (my interest is extension of the plane of focus, flat stitch panos, selective focus--and perspective control as the lesser use).

Diane

I went the route of the inexpensive alternative (Hartblei) and while it was a good lens, Canon is better IMO! I know they are a lot more expensive but the results are worth it if you desire such a lens and the effect that you can bring to the table. I have had mine for over a month and while not the most intuitive lens in my bag, practice is fun and interesting results are often to be had!! Good luck with your decision.......have a search for posts by sGu here on the forums.....he has many superb examples taken with this optic!!

[picnic]

I went the route of the inexpensive alternative (Hartblei) and while it was a good lens, Canon is better IMO! I know they are a lot more expensive but the results are worth it if you desire such a lens and the effect that you can bring to the table. I have had mine for over a month and while not the most intuitive lens in my bag, practice is fun and interesting results are often to be had!! Good luck with your decision.......have a search for posts by sGu here on the forums.....he has many superb examples taken with this optic!!

I've rented the Canon 24 TSE for several weeks now--not due to go back until Tuesday, so I do know what the Canon can do---but there were some excellent comparisons done between the 24 and the Hartblei 35mm f/2.8 . For half the money, I'll see how I feel about the lens. I did not want the 24--so if I decide in the future to buy a Canon, it will be the 45. This is a good way to test the waters--will I use it enough to warrant $1100--or not. It will def. be a niche lens for me--and I'm undecided if it will be a keeper.I like sGu's images very much BTW- (and very envious of his environment for urban shooting)--but my style is quite different so the 35 is just about the right FL for me--and I do want the ability to rotate from perpendicular to parallel with the shift and tilt. You can do it with the Canon by unscrewing 4 little screws and rescrewing, but the rotation on the Hartlblei appeals to me also--without the 'surgery' LOL. Oh, and I have the Lensbaby too with tele and wide converters and macro lens, so I enjoy this style of shooting. With the T/S, I'll do some selective focusing, tilt for fore to infinity in focus, some perspective correction.

We'll see how it goes. T/S lenses seem to be 'hot' right now, so if I decide against it--I'll sell it and move on. Thanks for your input--good to hear others experience with them. BTW--do you have any shots with the Canon available??

Diane

[picnic]

Regarding the 24 TSE, I bought mine used for $900 a couple weeks ago and use it on a 300D. It's magnificent. It has all the color rendition I expect from an L-lens. It loses a tiny bit of sharpness at full shift (11mm), but even at 9 and 10mm shift it's very sharp. Metering is the only tricky part for me, as it loses light with increasing shift but the camera won't meter accurately. So you need to meter with no shift, then do your shifting and adjust by about a stop (Canon discusses this in the manual). I've now put it on my 35mm Rebel G, and taking it around with some Velvia 100. With the full frame it goes from great to even better.


No manual came with the rented lens but I had found good info on eosdocproject. I also got some good tips from others using T/S--and metering before shift/tilt was one of them. I meter, set up in manual and then tilt or shift--or both. I agree its very nice on FF--I'm using it on the 5D--but for my style of shooting, the 24 is wider than I prefer so the 35--or perhaps later the Canon 45 or 90 will be my preference.

[MDJAK]

Schmoelzel,

Any further shots with this lens? You should be an expert by now.

mark

[michael_]

yeah anymore im seriously considering this.

[schmoelzel]

yeah anymore im seriously considering this.


Wish I could but I just sold it last week and I honestly did not use it as much as I had hoped! At least I only lost 10% in price from what I paid! It is/was a good lens but it is definitely a specialist-type of optic. There was someone on these forums from Manchester England who had a a fabulous photoblog with many shots using this lens........made me have to have one!!

[StealthLude]

I really want one of these lenses for product photography and landscape...

Very sweet. Too much cool glass out there.

[jacobsen1]

a recent pano:
http://www.benjacobsen.com/wp-content/gallery/beach-panos/Untitled_Panorama2.jpg

[ben_r_]

^^^^ Wow that is amazing!

Does no one else have this lens and care to post some pics of it? Id love to see more.

[jacobsen1]

I haven't had much time to shoot with mine lately unfortunately... But I did pickup the 24mm TS-E finally... I can't wait till the sun starts setting a wee bit later so I can shoot after work a bit more.

[Double Negative]

Nice, Ben. Definitely looking forward to those... And the warm weather!

[JDubya]

how about some updates ;)

[picnic]

how about some updates ;)

I've had my 45TS for maybe 2 years now. I love it--I use it with a variety of techniques---with tilt/swing for increased perceived DOF, shift for perspective correction, shift for 3 shot flat stitch panos, selective focusing and sometimes just as a manual focus 45 prime. I've put together some of the shots taken with the 45TS in a little Pbase gallery
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/tiltshift I consider it my most 'creative' lens.

Diane

[nazdravanul]

Thank you for the last link.
Some more photos would be really appreciated from everyone who owns/owned/uses/used this lens .... some 1dsII or even better, 1dsIII samples would be really great (:

[GMCPhotographics]

Here's a recent photograph from a trip to Ljubijania, Slovenia. Ok, I've abused it's intended function but i just love the creativity that this lens offers on a Canon 5D:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3135/2959006111_683209f26e_o.jpg

It can also make a pretty usefull 45mm lens for general stuff too, like landscapes:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/2959006459_d3184abd56_o.jpg

[timnosenzo]

Here's a recent photograph from a trip to Ljubijania, Slovenia. Ok, I've abused it's intended function but i just love the creativity that this lens offers on a Canon 5D:


It can also make a pretty usefull 45mm lens for general stuff too, like landscapes:



Great shots! I really want to pick up a TS-E lens, but I can't decide between the 45 and the 24. :confused:

[GMCPhotographics]

There's no easy answer as to which one to get. Both the 24 and 45 are highly usefull but have very different uses. I can see myself getting all three eventually.

[photoguy6405]

I've had my 45TS for maybe 2 years now. I love it--I use it with a variety of techniques---with tilt/swing for increased perceived DOF, shift for perspective correction, shift for 3 shot flat stitch panos, selective focusing and sometimes just as a manual focus 45 prime. I've put together some of the shots taken with the 45TS in a little Pbase gallery
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/tiltshift I consider it my most 'creative' lens.

Diane

Excellent pictures. Glad to read that you've had it for a couple years and still use it and enjoy it.

[timnosenzo]

This thread doesn't get much play, so I thought I would add a few photos. I just got this lens a couple of weeks ago, so I am still trying to figure it all out. I've been very happy with it so far. :)

http://www.timnosenzo.com/photos/492544722_3imB4-L.jpg

http://www.timnosenzo.com/photos/479895947_TGZqp-L-1.jpg

http://www.timnosenzo.com/photos/477170962_Lkf5f-L-1.jpg

http://www.timnosenzo.com/photos/478923214_wwm6q-L-1.jpg

http://www.timnosenzo.com/photos/482168926_xkbH9-L-1.jpg

[WhyFi]

Questions for those with experience with the 45 TS-E -

How's the handling of the focus? It is any easier to focus this than manually focusing a lens designed with AF in mind? Is the focus confirmation reliable? Are different screens recommended or needed?

Thanks much!

[TheGreatDivorce]

Just got mine yesterday, and had to take some "test" shots of a few of my favorite things, my girl, my dog, and my Subie. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/ixoye/1st-day-tiltshift-0008lrz.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/ixoye/1st-day-tiltshift-0014lrz.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/ixoye/1st-day-tiltshift-0011lrz.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/ixoye/1st-day-tiltshift-0001lrz.jpg

[dkspook]

Curse it. I almost made it through an entire month without lens lust.

[Cole_Schmitt]

Would reallyy love to try TS! But I need a white lens right now :( :p

[timnosenzo]

Couple from yesterday.

http://www.timnosenzo.com/photos/528042177_nExQW-L-1.jpg

http://www.timnosenzo.com/photos/528041842_CwKcX-L.jpg

[MDJAK]

I forgot about this thread. Still relevant and excellent additions to the OP's fantastic work.

me

[stetsonaw]

Just picked one up today! I'll have some pics up soon! Prolly gonna 'mod' mine. Anyone have any pics with their lens 'twisted'?

[stetsonaw]

Just rotated it, same axis now! used this link
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/modify_canon_tilt-shift.html

now i'm really excited! stay tuned!
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c104/Wires2k2/IMG_6409.jpg

[stetsonaw]

Canon EOS 5D ♠ 45mm TS-E ♠ ƒ/2.8
Test shots, which made me pull the trigger on it.
1.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2502/3690284178_25fdf760b7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stetsonaw/3690284178/)
2.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3690267458_9985cbbd67_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stetsonaw/3690267458/in/photostream)

[stetsonaw]

more TS-E fun, this time football
Canon EOS 5D ♠ 45mm TS-E ♠ ƒ/2.8 ♠ Full Tilt, no shift
Frank Bryant, Captain, Quarterback, USMC Bulldogs
Practice prior to a 17-14 win
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3694393880_ca47701feb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stetsonaw/3694393880/)

[sheawyatt]

I must say that is the first time I've seen sports shot with a TS lens. Nice work.

[stetsonaw]

I must say that is the first time I've seen sports shot with a TS lens. Nice work.
thanks! i'm gonna see what all different stuff i can do with this. really brings out the creative side.

[stetsonaw]

more 5D/TS-E 45 fun!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3754393219_4956834cdf_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stetsonaw/3754393219/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/3754391841_54c3014cff_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stetsonaw/3754391841/)

[stetsonaw]

another... missed the focus, but i still like it.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/3756837933_d3208478b2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/people/stetsonaw)

[photoguy6405]

I like the two night shots. Very nice.

[stetsonaw]

^^thanks!

[mrloofer]

Revisiting this thread: How easy is this lens to focus and do you all use a focus screen?

[stetsonaw]

i've got an Ee-S in my 5D, focuses pretty easily. if you buy it, you won't regret it. the DOF is so fun with this!

[GMCPhotographics]

I like to use mine for fashion and portraiture:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/3831094083_04ec013f3a_o.jpg

and

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3831886322_033cc4c7c1_o.jpg

[mrloofer]

AWESOME shots! I love the TS effect. Been trying to reproduce it using Photoshop but it doesn't even come close to the real thing. I also like the color and contrast this lens gives. I just decided to order the focus screen and I'm going to rent the lens this weekend. Any tips on using the lens for portrait work?

[stetsonaw]

Gareth, great shots!

take your time, i do what i can to use the AF points in the camera (in MF they beep/flash once you've achieved your target focus). you'll also notice that the metering is a bit off once you tilt or shift. best to take a test photo (no tilt or shift) in shutter- or aperture-priority, get your exposure, flip over to manual, plug your settings in, then tilt or shift. granted, not always perfect, but it definitely helps.

btw mrloofer, your flickr doesn't work.

[mrloofer]

@Stet - thanks for that, I had recently closed my Flickr account and created a new one.

Is there a particular method for shooting portraits on this lens that you use and can share?

Cheers.

Edit: I guess what I'm wanting to know is do you just use the tilt feature for the cool DOF effects for portraits or a combination of tilt and shift?

[stetsonaw]

My new '08 Mazda3 i Sport! I love this car!
All photos are 45mm Tilt-Shifted with my 5D :D
Enjoy!
Click picture for it's flickr page, and please let me know what you think.

Courthouse (Tax/title/registration :()
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2618/3843739952_ba6d85bb87_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stetsonaw/3843739952/)

Props
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3843746558_41eacb52d9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stetsonaw/3843746558/)

Pipeline (not sure what kind)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2495/3842965743_5f9459c902_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stetsonaw/3842965743/)

Reflection of greatness
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2645/3842986727_e4d53152d3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stetsonaw/3842986727/)

Exactly what this car is... accidental coincidence, didn't notice the sign pole until i started processing my images.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3495/3842939347_44c7829cb9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stetsonaw/3842939347/)

[mrloofer]

Been having some fun with this since getting it yesterday.

http://www.alanlougher.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/img_2626-edit.jpg

http://www.alanlougher.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/img_2616-edit.jpg

[stetsonaw]

this lens is so epic for car photography, shots look good Alan!

[mrloofer]

Thanks Stet! Here's some more I shot today of my 4yr old daughter. The one thing I noticed with this lens is it's very contrasty, my B&W conversions yield very rich blacks.

http://www.alanlougher.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/img_2650-edit-edit.jpg

http://www.alanlougher.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/img_2679-edit-edit.jpg

http://www.alanlougher.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/img_2682-edit.jpg

[stetsonaw]

yes, it is a very high contrast lens, love it!

[J-B]

Great photos Alan, I like nr. 2 the most

[brownbugger]

Thanks Stet! Here's some more I shot today of my 4yr old daughter. The one thing I noticed with this lens is it's very contrasty, my B&W conversions yield very rich blacks.

http://www.alanlougher.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/img_2650-edit-edit.jpg

http://www.alanlougher.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/img_2679-edit-edit.jpg

http://www.alanlougher.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/img_2682-edit.jpg

amazing shots ! pictures reminds me of an era long gone

[stetsonaw]

great shots again alan, good to see more traffic in this thread!

[stetsonaw]

one more...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/3843759694_388533eb4e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stetsonaw/3843759694/)

[stetsonaw]

i'm lonely in here...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2628/3953996613_a111e7001e_b.jpg

[Rap Sizzle]

If Canon comes out with a Mark II version of this lens, I'd be all over it. Although if I find one at a good price I might just pull the trigger.

[stetsonaw]

you wouldn't regret it!

[trumpet_guy]

f/6.3, without tilt

http://www.pbase.com/tswen/image/117931636/original.jpg


f/6.3, with 4 degrees of tilt, a little closer to the subject also

http://www.pbase.com/tswen/image/117931631/original.jpg

[MikeRichards]

Can't wait to get mine...should be here on Wednesday!! Woop, woop!