Tilt/shift adapter, proof of concept.

[Paul Pasco]

I have been taking pictures for many years now and I have had an on again, off again desire to try a tilt/shift lens for architecture, but couldn't really justify the expense. I really wanted to do this in the N1 fora, but availability of hardware and the crop factor kind of squashed that idea. I could get an old 35mm PC Nikkor and use it on the FT-1 but I end up with a 94mm equivalent and, and by the time I get far enough away from a building to get its whole height, I am far enough away that I don't really need the shift. So, I have set this up using my Z50 aps-c camera. I bought a tilt/shift adapter made by Fotodiox called the TLT ROKR, whatever thats supposed to mean. It's really well made for the money IMO, and has a Z mount on the camera side and an F mount on the lens side. since I don't own a wide F mount prime, I bought the cheapest 20mm/2.8 Nikkor I could find on MPB to go with it. I took the rig out today to try it and the first results are promising except I really need a wider, higher quality lens to really get what I am after, but this is sufficient for me to decide if this is something I want to seriously pursue. Please excuse my posting photos from the wrong camera type; at least its a Nikon ;-)

Vintage apartment building turned to pricey condos.

Beautiful old stone building

[ATTACH alt="This was Waukegan's first "sky scraper" opened in 1925 "]3746169[/ATTACH]
This was Waukegan's first "sky scraper" opened in 1925

The old Waukegan Library, recently reopened as the Waukegan Historical Society

I did these hand held but I really should set up with a tripod so that I can pay better attention to alignment. Also, the old 20mm leaves a lot to desire at the edges and the shift really highlights this.

--
Regards, Paul
Lili's Dad
WSSA Member #450

 

[RichDitch]

They look pretty good to me for a first effort. Yes, use a tripod for these. I love the old door.

 

[Brian Chichester]

I get the concept of tilt/shift optics and I can see it was the way to get these shots in the film days (although some correction was possible at the enlarging stage).

But in the digital world, where we have perspective correction in editing software, is it really worthwhile to pursue this idea? I ask this not knowing if there is an actual benefit to doing it in-camera.

 

[Paul Pasco]

I get the concept of tilt/shift optics and I can see it was the way to get these shots in the film days (although some correction was possible at the enlarging stage).

But in the digital world, where we have perspective correction in editing software, is it really worthwhile to pursue this idea? I ask this not knowing if there is an actual benefit to doing it in-camera.

Thanks for looking and commenting. I expected that I would get this kind of response and I have a few quick answers. First, I would compare it to the idea of shooting monochrome. I know I can convert after the fact, but seeing in Monochrome is a game changer that prior to mirrorless cameras was not an easy possibility. I know I can correct perspective with software, but it is not always perfect and being able to see the shot corrected is better to me than the risk of not getting the result I was after in post. It's also a way to slow down and engage with the equipment and the subject. The second is that I am a gadget guy and love finding new, hopefully affordable ways to enjoy my hobby. I have used software in the past to correct perspective but post processing does not thrill me; I think of it more as a necessary evil if I want to share photos that look their best. The photos I posted are my first attempts and it was cool seeing what happened when I shifted the lens. I have yet to seriously play with the tilt function.

 

[Paul Pasco]

Thanks Rich, I get a little skittish setting up tripods in public spaces as I don't want unwanted attention, but thats something I could stand to work on.

 

[RichDitch]

Thanks Rich, I get a little skittish setting up tripods in public spaces as I don't want unwanted attention, but thats something I could stand to work on.

Understood. But if your tripod is big enough that might make the pests keep away! A substantial Gitzo with a gimbal head makes an impressive statement.

 

[Paul Pasco]

Thanks Rich, I get a little skittish setting up tripods in public spaces as I don't want unwanted attention, but thats something I could stand to work on.

Understood. But if your tripod is big enough that might make the pests keep away! A substantial Gitzo with a gimbal head makes an impressive statement.

 

[holgerlinke]

Sh§"%t, I wanted to stop buying stuff, but this is what I always wanted to try. I still have the Nikkor 20/2.8 AIS lens that gets occasional use. I'm really tempted now...

 

[Paul Pasco]

Sh§"%t, I wanted to stop buying stuff, but this is what I always wanted to try. I still have the Nikkor 20/2.8 AIS lens that gets occasional use. I'm really tempted now...

 

[Brian Chichester]

Paul, thanks for your explanation. I get your point about seeing it in camera (I have found the same with my monochrome trials). Also there's no denying the appeal of more gadgets to try out. I know, I've been there.

One of the mixed blessings of the Nikon 1 system is that there is a relative shortage of add-ons to be played with, so we tend to concentrate on getting pictures with the limited available lenses.

 

[Paul Pasco]

Paul, thanks for your explanation. I get your point about seeing it in camera (I have found the same with my monochrome trials). Also there's no denying the appeal of more gadgets to try out. I know, I've been there.

One of the mixed blessings of the Nikon 1 system is that there is a relative shortage of add-ons to be played with, so we tend to concentrate on getting pictures with the limited available lenses.

As I said in my original post, I was really hoping to do this with an N1 camera but there are no adapters or lenses that will work other than several F mount perspective control lenses that are way too long in focal length to be practical. Already it is apparent to me that the sweet spot for DX and FX is a 14mm. The Samyang/Rokinon 14/2.8 has a good reputation with the budget astro crowd, so that may be my next purchase if this holds my interest.

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

I have been taking pictures for many years now and I have had an on again, off again desire to try a tilt/shift lens for architecture, but couldn't really justify the expense. I really wanted to do this in the N1 fora, but availability of hardware and the crop factor kind of squashed that idea. I could get an old 35mm PC Nikkor and use it on the FT-1 but I end up with a 94mm equivalent and, and by the time I get far enough away from a building to get its whole height, I am far enough away that I don't really need the shift. So, I have set this up using my Z50 aps-c camera. I bought a tilt/shift adapter made by Fotodiox called the TLT ROKR, whatever thats supposed to mean. It's really well made for the money IMO, and has a Z mount on the camera side and an F mount on the lens side. since I don't own a wide F mount prime, I bought the cheapest 20mm/2.8 Nikkor I could find on MPB to go with it. I took the rig out today to try it and the first results are promising except I really need a wider, higher quality lens to really get what I am after, but this is sufficient for me to decide if this is something I want to seriously pursue. Please excuse my posting photos from the wrong camera type; at least its a Nikon ;-)

Vintage apartment building turned to pricey condos.

Beautiful old stone building

[ATTACH alt="This was Waukegan's first "sky scraper" opened in 1925"]3746169[/ATTACH]
This was Waukegan's first "sky scraper" opened in 1925

The old Waukegan Library, recently reopened as the Waukegan Historical Society

I did these hand held but I really should set up with a tripod so that I can pay better attention to alignment. Also, the old 20mm leaves a lot to desire at the edges and the shift really highlights this.

Not bad at all!

Would love to see more shots like these!

--
tordseriksson (at) gmail.....
Owner of a handful of Nikon cameras. And a few lenses. DxO PhotoLab 8 user.
WSSA #456

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

Paul, thanks for your explanation. I get your point about seeing it in camera (I have found the same with my monochrome trials). Also there's no denying the appeal of more gadgets to try out. I know, I've been there.

One of the mixed blessings of the Nikon 1 system is that there is a relative shortage of add-ons to be played with, so we tend to concentrate on getting pictures with the limited available lenses.

As I said in my original post, I was really hoping to do this with an N1 camera but there are no adapters or lenses that will work other than several F mount perspective control lenses that are way too long in focal length to be practical. Already it is apparent to me that the sweet spot for DX and FX is a 14mm. The Samyang/Rokinon 14/2.8 has a good reputation with the budget astro crowd, so that may be my next purchase if this holds my interest.

That is a nice lens (and correcting the infinity setting is very simple, if needed — mine certainly did)! I use it with my old D600, occasionally!

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

Thanks Rich, I get a little skittish setting up tripods in public spaces as I don't want unwanted attention, but thats something I could stand to work on.

Understood. But if your tripod is big enough that might make the pests keep away! A substantial Gitzo with a gimbal head makes an impressive statement.

No Gitzos in my house but I have a large old Manfrotto.

I think my Manfrotto monopod is in the cellar somewhere, while my amazingly expensive Gitzo, with the Wimberley Sidekick, is in the kitchen!

Nowadays, the two are merged into one complex business!

--
tordseriksson (at) gmail.....
Owner of a handful of Nikon cameras. And a few lenses. DxO PhotoLab 8 user.
WSSA #456