How do you use a tilt-shift lens? | Ask David Bergman

Today's question from Joe P. is, “You had a recent video about tilt-shift vs macro lenses and I was wondering if you could go more in-depth about tilt-shift lenses. How do you use them and what are they used for?”

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✘ PRODUCTS USED:

Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro Lens

Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II Tilt-Shift Lens

✘ PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT USED:

Canon EOS R Mirrorless Full Frame Digital Camera Body

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM Zoom Lens

CLAR Illumi Max 500 High Power 5600K LED Light

Glow EZ Lock Octa Quick XL Softbox With Bowens Mount (48")

Insta360 ONE X2 Pocket Camera

#tiltshift #photographytutorial #adorama

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00:00 Intro
00:46 What is a tilt-shift lens?
01:28 How to focus a tilt-shift lens
02:02 Using the tilt function
05:17 The miniature effect
05:28 Shift to maximize depth of field
06:28 How to fix keystoning
09:12 Using a tilt-shift lens for panoramic photos
10:00 Panoramic portraits

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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[pedroparado]

Very well done the explanation of the basic function of tilt&shift lenses David. I suggest that you add another video to explain how to extend depth of field by applying the right amount of tilt. This is the most difficult aspect of the lens and almost always overlooked in the tutorials.

[johnteague]

I'm a real-estate/architectural photographer, and I love my 24mm tilt/shift lens. The shift function helps me get vertical lines of houses and buildings easily. However, I have used the tilt function only once in the last 6 years, and that was just for experimentation. Still, I use the lens almost every day. And the ability to do a perfect pano is awesome.

[artemis]

Very succinct and easy to understand explanation. I love your delivery too.

[Papparratzi]

I’m a new convert to the tilt shift lens. Being a high end Real Estate photographer, it’s one of those purchases that you say to yourself, why did I wait so long?

If you’re on the fence, rent one and give it a days work first.

After a day, you’ll know if it’s a must have or just a want. If you can afford a $ 2k+ purchase for just a want, not a need, it’ll still make you enjoy your shooting experience and get you higher quality results

[rodolfofranco]

Wow... the way you explained the focus plane blow my mind!!!...

[anne-marielittenberg]

I photograph 2d art for people (who need documentation, images for juries, publications, etc.) When I have to shoot a mounted piece in a tight situation, I can use the tilt and shift functions to get around awkward interruptions. For example, maybe I can't place my tripod exactly where I want it. For large installations in a tight spot, using it for pannos, as you describe, works amazingly well.

[johnpavan]

Another use for the shift function is to take a picture of a mirror without the camera showing in the mirror.

[gigiphotos]

Great explanation on the tilt function and focus plane. I recently shot a tall building with a tower on the side at an angle. I shifted my 17mm Tilt Shift and the building looked way out of wack, then I used the tilt and somehow by accident I got it completely straight. Looking forward to learning how to use both the shift and tilt at the same time.

[andreak]

fantastic quick/easy explanation of T/S lens!!

[davecarrera]

Just bought my first TS lens, and Canon 45mm, and this video has really helped in my understanding of the basics. Thank you.

[ImagemakerAi]

I believe you could explain any complex subject and make it understandable!

[rajupanday]

Thanks a lot Devid Sir, for such a great, easy, and perfectly full illustration, how one can use T&S lenses for creativity .

[videoyoplait]

Great for flat lays where you can adjust your focus along a single plane to try to get 1 subject in focus while blurring out much of everything else.

[miltonBanana]

Thanks, Dave. A very timely video for me.

[MikeJamesMedia]

Very clear examples and explanation, David. Thank you!

[dalelewis]

excellent presentation, thank you Mr. Bergman

[johannestan]

Thanks a lot! Very useful info about T/S lens!

[ironian]

I use my Canon 17mm ts-e tilt shift lens for landscape photography and buildings and I use focus peeking for focusing the manual focus lens. You can also do great panoramics horizontally or portrait, I do this all the time to get the whole building in or scene and you get amazing images full of detail, I tend to tilt the lens very fractionally to get front to back focus on my landscape images. I have to say it is my favourite lens and coupled on to the Canon eos r it is a perfect combo for landscape, portraits, or buildings internally or externally. you will see me using this particular lens nearly all the time on my channel.
Great video by the way and because I use one it was nice to watch.

[richpaul]

Outstanding video! I always knew the "how's and why's" of shift-lenses. I've never used one and up until now, I straightened out buildings (or whatever tall targets I was shooting), by using post-editing techniques. However, to do it correctly and convincingly in post takes time, especially if you haven't done it often enough to get good at it.

After watching this video, I may just go ahead and rent a tilt/shift lens one day very soon. As for the "Tilt" part of the lens info, that was definitely something I needed to learn about! I've been doing serious photography since the mid-80's and I've never even tried to find out what a tilt lens was used for!

I guess I thought if I ever need to use one, I'll look it up, but yes, I know that logic doesn't really work because if you don't know what a tilt lens does in the first place, then how do you know when you'd need to use one?! LOL.

Anyway, thanks again for the video and adding another new fact to my ever-growing photo-education!
Rich

[irabrucelevine]

Very clear explanation, David. Mystery solved.