A note-worthy feature, that has not been mentioned, is the ability to drive the focus of the lens, with the HTS attached, via the focus drive controls within Phocus. Considering the HTS disables auto-focus operation via the camera, this focus control in a tethered configuration provides some help for those using the HTS for indoor / product / still life work.
Jack, as you might already know, the HTS has been shipping for some time now. We have quite a few, extremely happy users, including H3DII-Series as well as H1/2 camera users. As roonie has mentioned, you can introduce some vignetting with both shift and tilt at maximum. However, I find most users do not have the need for both maximum tilt, in conjunction with maximum shift (or vise-versa).
The HVM waist-level finder can sometimes help improve the viewfinder image when using the HTS, allowing for a slightly brighter and sharper image. The HVM can present issues in composing with the camera, but it has become a more valuable accessory to go along with the HTS.
I will put some sample images together, showing the range of movement that is possible with HTS 1.5, HC-D 28mm, and H3DII-50 (the same would apply for the 22MP and 39MP systems as well). These images will strictly show the movement range (shift and tilt), and will not be a basis for judging sharpness.
Regards,
Jordan Miller
[quote name='roonie' date='Mar 26 2009, 09:54 AM' post='271092']
We have received our HTS two weeks ago and are very pleased with it!
Optical corrections (such as distortion) are pretty well handled. You should be aware that most of lenses that fit HTS (from 28mm to 100mm) show their limits in extreme tilting/shifting. Hasselblad advices working "ranges" where you should not be too far away.... We are using it today with the HC80mm and it does the job well! Except some vignetting that Phocus hardly handles as lens is extemely tilted.
One another thing: HTS implies a darker viewfinder (about 1,5 f/stops) that makes focusing tough (through viewfinder I mean...)