Wishlist: Tilt/shift sensor mounts

[Shadowblade]

The sensor rotation feature of the new Pentax K7 has given me an idea.

With live view now a feature of DSLRs and rear LCDs improving with each model released, we essentially have a miniature, digital version of a large-format view camera. That is, we can adjust focus and depth of field with real-time feedback, without having to take the shot until it is perfectly composed.

Given this ability, a logical next step would be to replicate the tilt capability of a view camera by mounting the sensor such that it can be rotated by a few degrees on the vertical and horizontal axes. Not difficult, and it would be a huge boon to the landscape photographer - never worry about trying to maximise DOF again!

This could be taken a step further by adding a horizontal and vertical translation capacity, allowing the sensor to be moved around so that it captures different parts of the image circle - that is, shift. Four small motors and you have essentially added the tilt/shift capability to every lens in the photographer's arsenal, without actually having to carry a tilt/shift lens of the desired focal length.

Naturally, to use Shift to maximal effect on a full-frame camera, one would need a new series of lenses - let's call this EF-W (for 'wide circle'). These would not be tilt-shift lenses (as the tilt/shift function would be tied to the sensor) but would have a much larger image circle than current EF lenses - similar to the current TS-E tilt shifts. They would be larger than standard lenses of the same aperture (since more glass is needed to generate the larger image circle), but, since they are designed to be used with the tilt/shift function, they would not need the same aperture as standard lenses. Without the added difficulties of building the tilt-shift mechanism into the lens, one could more easily add zoom and autofocus functions.

Let's start with an EF-W 24-70mm f/4.5L IS USM zoom and EF-W 16mm, 21mm, 28mm, 35mm and 50mm primes, shall we?

[basroil]

The sensor rotation feature of the new Pentax K7 has given me an idea.

With live view now a feature of DSLRs and rear LCDs improving with each model released, we essentially have a miniature, digital version of a large-format view camera. That is, we can adjust focus and depth of field with real-time feedback, without having to take the shot until it is perfectly composed.

Given this ability, a logical next step would be to replicate the tilt capability of a view camera by mounting the sensor such that it can be rotated by a few degrees on the vertical and horizontal axes. Not difficult, and it would be a huge boon to the landscape photographer - never worry about trying to maximise DOF again!

This could be taken a step further by adding a horizontal and vertical translation capacity, allowing the sensor to be moved around so that it captures different parts of the image circle - that is, shift. Four small motors and you have essentially added the tilt/shift capability to every lens in the photographer's arsenal, without actually having to carry a tilt/shift lens of the desired focal length.

Naturally, to use Shift to maximal effect on a full-frame camera, one would need a new series of lenses - let's call this EF-W (for 'wide circle'). These would not be tilt-shift lenses (as the tilt/shift function would be tied to the sensor) but would have a much larger image circle than current EF lenses - similar to the current TS-E tilt shifts. They would be larger than standard lenses of the same aperture (since more glass is needed to generate the larger image circle), but, since they are designed to be used with the tilt/shift function, they would not need the same aperture as standard lenses. Without the added difficulties of building the tilt-shift mechanism into the lens, one could more easily add zoom and autofocus functions.

Let's start with an EF-W 24-70mm f/4.5L IS USM zoom and EF-W 16mm, 21mm, 28mm, 35mm and 50mm primes, shall we?

Question is: Why?
You can just as easily make it a feature for only 1.6crop bodies on an ef mount lens. No need for "wide" anything.

[Shadowblade]

Question is: Why?
You can just as easily make it a feature for only 1.6crop bodies on an ef mount lens. No need for "wide" anything.

You'd need the wide image circle to use Shift on a full-frame body - that doesn't change whether it's the sensor that's shifting or, in the case of current TS-E lenses, the lens that shifts. You'd be able to Tilt with any lens.

The advantages of moving Tilt and Shift functions to the camera body, rather than the lens, is that every lens would become Tilt compatible (and with better optics than a comparable TS-E lens, as there would be no need for a separate Tilt/Shift optic), and Shift-compatible wide circle lenses would be much less complex than current Tilt/Shift lenses, allowing the addition of functions such as zoom and autofocus.

Also, many people who are aware of the uses of Tilt/Shift and are likely to use it would prefer to be shooting full-frame anyway, for the extra detail on landscape and architectural shots.

[basroil]

You'd need the wide image circle to use Shift on a full-frame body - that doesn't change whether it's the sensor that's shifting or, in the case of current TS-E lenses, the lens that shifts. You'd be able to Tilt with any lens.

The advantages of moving Tilt and Shift functions to the camera body, rather than the lens, is that every lens would become Tilt compatible (and with better optics than a comparable TS-E lens, as there would be no need for a separate Tilt/Shift optic), and Shift-compatible wide circle lenses would be much less complex than current Tilt/Shift lenses, allowing the addition of functions such as zoom and autofocus.

Also, many people who are aware of the uses of Tilt/Shift and are likely to use it would prefer to be shooting full-frame anyway, for the extra detail on landscape and architectural shots.


This would likely require a new mount, as the TS-E are already pushing the limits (hence issues on the edges in FF with ts-e)

[Shadowblade]

The image circle wouldn't need to be any larger than that of a TS-E lens (60mm, I believe).