Tilt Shift/PC lens for my D800

[shadowblade]

I'm really hoping for some Hartblei 24mm, 21mm or even 14-16mm tilt-shifts - not just for stitching, but for focal plane control when you can't stitch (due to moving subjects) but still want an ultra-ultra-wide-angle shot with foreground-to-horizon sharp focus.

24mm lenses give great results when shifting, but I find that, when shifting isn't an option, it's just not wide enough. Even the Canon TS-E 17 isn't really wide enough without shifting. After all, a 24mm tilt-shift gives you a horizontal angle of view equivalent to a 14.4mm lens on full-frame when used to stitch a panorama.

[Philip Weber]

How much am I looking at for one of these, in US dollars?

Also, does it require a special ball head? Currently, I'm using a RRS BH-55 and BH 40.

Thanks,
Phil

[jgbowerman]

How much am I looking at for one of these, in US dollars?

Also, does it require a special ball head? Currently, I'm using a RRS BH-55 and BH 40.

Thanks,
Phil

Both of those ball heads would work fine. In addition to the expense of the lens, it is necessary to purchase a Novoflex QPL1 quick release plate to use with the integrated rotating lens mount: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/269762-REG/Novoflex_QPL_1_Quick_Release_Plate_for.html

I use a BH 40, but recently upgraded to an Arca-Swiss DM4. The DM and DM4 are outstanding performers and work very well with a T/S setup. The Hartblei T/S 40mm f/4 cost 6500 USD, but by the time I paid bank fees (I had to wire the money to Germany) and customs, the total was about 7300 USD. http://www.hartblei.de/en/sr40if.htm

The 80mm goes for around 3000 USD. I'd estimate after bank fees and customs, the total will be closer to 3400: http://www.hartblei.de/en/sr80pl.htm

Those prices were quoted two months ago. If seriously considering a purchase, you would want to contact Stefan Steib to confirm current pricing.

[drb]

It is a question of an individual demands and style.

I have not mastered tilting, and I'm not all that keen to use it. Tilt takes time to master, if it can be mastered at all, not to mention it demands compositional limitations on its implementation. But it can also make things work when otherwise they would not. Changing the plane of focus is tricky business and definitely not for many of us. 

It is the Shift that makes for all the reason to have one. My thing is landscapes, and I love the perspective control. It also aids a great deal in fine tuning a composition without having to mess further with tripod placement and tedious height adjustments on rugged terrain. No soft edges with the Hartlei 40/4, not to mention the precise mechanics. I'm not yet into stitching, but 40/4 is parallax free. Shifting, without question, saves me substantial time with setup.

Curious if you have received your D800E and had a chance to use it with the Hartblei 40mm?  If so, I'm curious how you find the lens performs with the higher res sensor.

[jgbowerman]

Curious if you have received your D800E and had a chance to use it with the Hartblei 40mm?  If so, I'm curious how you find the lens performs with the higher res sensor.

Still waiting for the D800E to ship! Ordered it back in February. I went ahead and placed an order with two more retailers hoping one will deliver more quickly than the other. Apparently, Nikon is not geared to meet the high demand.

[Robert DeCandido PhD]

How about an Olympus T/S lens adapted for Nikon:

http://photo.net/gc/view-one?classified_ad_id=1425730

[drb]

Still waiting for the D800E to ship! Ordered it back in February. I went ahead and placed an order with two more retailers hoping one will deliver more quickly than the other. Apparently, Nikon is not geared to meet the high demand.

Thanks. Sent you a PM

[ACH DIGITAL]

My actual combo is the Nikon D800 + Horseman VCC Pro + Pentax 645 Lenses. Pentax 645 lenses are really a surprise.
The Horseman VCC Pro have camera mounts for Nikon and Canon and lens mounts for Mamiya 645 and Pentax 645, Hasselblad, Rodenstock and Schneider.
For panos is great becouse the shifting movement is in the rear mount.
The funny thing is that my Pentax 35mm lens, mounts and have movements enough for shifting and stitching, not to say that the 45-85 and 120 macros are on it too.
Total I spent $4000 for the VCC Pro and lenses and the all tilt and shift.
I think is a good deal.
Hope this helps to anyone trying to work with tilts and shifts.
Pretty soon I'm going to be showing some images of these combo and the actual setup.

[erpman]

My actual combo is the Nikon D800 + Horseman VCC Pro + Pentax 645 Lenses.

So you´re saying that Pentax-lenses go on the horseman? I thought it only took those expensive Rodagon lenses. What is the range of pentax-lenses that you can use (what´s the widest?). Can you focus them all to infinity? Are you using this setup outdoors, and how is it working for you there?

Cheers!

[HarperPhotos]

Hi erpman,

I too use the Horseman VCC Pro converter be it the old model. The lenses I use are Rodenstock Apo-Rodagon and Rodagon enlarging lenses.

I found these lenses on EBay and where inexpensive. Optically they are superb and combine with new Nikon D800E a joy to use.

The shortest focal length I can use is 80mm so cause of this I will be purchasing a Nikon 45mm PC-E lens soon.

Another lens I have converted by a Mamiya 645 to Nikon adaptor is the Mamiya 645 50mm shift lens which works great.

Cheers

Simon

[kers]

'My actual combo is the Nikon D800 + Horseman VCC Pro + Pentax 645 Lenses. Pentax 645 lenses are really a surprise....

The problem is choosing wideangleTS lenses- as far as i know there is no alternative for the 24mm PCE Nikkor...
Canon has an advantage here.. with the 17mm...
Fortunately there is the 14-24mm zoom ; a very good lens that can capture everything you need.

[ACH DIGITAL]

Horseman sells a Pentax, Mamiya, and Hasselblad mounts. They are kind of expensive, each costing $450.
With the Pentax Mount, focusing the lens at infinity in its own barrel, I can HAVE movement with the 35mm lens. Tilt and shift.
Enough shift to make stitching with out even reaching the vignetted zone yet.
Different than working with the Rodenstocks, the distance from the begging of the bellow to the lens mount is clear, so you have enough space for movements.
My widest lens is the 35mm but if my physics are not wrong, I think the same would happened with the 25mm.
I'll be posting some images pretty soon.
ACH

[Pingang]

For what it worth, I think may be it can be a rather considerable idea to get a 5DIII with TS-E 17/4 just use them as an unit, may be adding a TS-E 24, still under USD 10,000.


Pingang
Shanghai

[HarperPhotos]

Hi kers,

Nikon have applied for a patent for a 17mm PC-E lens so it should be available hopefully soon.

http://nikonrumors.com/2012/04/27/nikon-patents-for-17mm-f4-tilt-and-shift-10mm-f4-16-30mm-f4-5-5-6-and-28mm-f1-4-lenses.aspx/

I will certainly be purchasing one.

Cheers

Simon

[free1000]

Hi kers,

Nikon have applied for a patent for a 17mm PC-E lens so it should be available hopefully soon.

http://nikonrumors.com/2012/04/27/nikon-patents-for-17mm-f4-tilt-and-shift-10mm-f4-16-30mm-f4-5-5-6-and-28mm-f1-4-lenses.aspx/

I will certainly be purchasing one.

Cheers

Simon

I think it will be easier for Canon to create a 36Mp body competitive with the D800 than it is for Nikon to create a TS lens competitive with the Canon one.  

I'm willing to wager a thimble full of my favourite lukewarm beer on this, though I too hope I'm wrong.

I'm keeping the 5D2 and the TS lenses and shooting all my other stuff on the D800E. Its especially nice to have this option as I can use many of the Nikon lenses on the 5D2 with an adapter in MF mode as well, so I can sell off a bunch of my Canon lenses.

While there are exotic ways to add TS to a D800, like some of the suggestions above, my experience trying these with a DSLR is that the depth of the mirror box can make life more complicated than it would be with an MF back. In practice the great benefit of a DSLR is the speed of operation.  Trying to use a DSLR body as a sensor for a view camera setup is like putting lipstick on a dwarf pot bellied pig, often charming in a curious way, but one to avoid rather than snog or marry. IMHO you lose the speed and flexibility of a DSLR in the process.

[adrian tyler]

i have the d800e and all the pce-nikons, used them all extensively on the d3x for years
the 85mm is superb throughout all its apertures and range of movements
the 24 and the 45 are superb at 5.6-f8 but start to loose it in the corners when fully shifted and the 45 can show CA in the corners when tilted
sure they are not as precise as they could be but very light, usable and good value

i was enquiring about the schnieder options to robert white and this is the response:

"would suggest that you wait as Schnieder are to be producing a new wide angle PC E lens ...I suspect details will follow closer to Photokina in September"

i did a lot of this work with them (the book is sold out):
http://adriantyler.net/alhambra.html

[David Watson]

Hi

I have a 28mm f/2.8 Schneider PC-Super-Angulon lens which I use on my D800E.  Bought secondhand in mint condition for $1200.  It is well made and very sharp.  Like all W/A T/S lenses you will get some vignetting at extreme shifts.  I have also tried the Schneider TS lens but disliked the unidirectional shift which is a pain for panoramic images and furthermore as another poster said they are big and very expensive.

[pdphoto]

If I wasn't having a lens problem (haha), I would now be using the Mirex adapter with a Hasselblad lens. Cost of the combination was about $1200 incl shipping. The Mirex is a German made TS adapter for use with D800 (My model is at least. There are others for Canon too.)

[jgbowerman]

Perhaps it is cost effective, but using adapters would presumably create another port for entry of dust and another connection allowing for more play in the mount. These are only assumptions on my part, I'd welcome feedback on this issue for those of you using adapters for third-party lenses.

Loosely constructed mechanics are one of the primary reasons I don't like the Nikon options. Also, full shifts get well outside the sweet spot. Lloyd Chambers makes a point on these issues in his lens review. The Hartblei T/S lineup eliminates these issues. The 40mm/4.0 is terribly large, true enough, not to mention the expense! It is my choice for wide angle, although it is clear others desire wider. I remain very satisfied with the Hartblei 40/4.0. The integrated tripod collar makes for possible bidirectional, parallax-free shifting, and due to the massive glass diameters, no vignetting or softening when fully shifted. Last but not least, what is claimed to be 200 line pairs/millimeter resolution makes this option all the more desirable.

[ACH DIGITAL]

Well some of my findings so far with the Horseman VCC Pro. For tilts and shits works ok with the Pentax lenses except for Rise Shift Limited by camera nose in horizontal position. Left Shift limited by camera nose in vertical position.
At maximun shift there is CA and some smear.
Here you can download full JPG of two stitched images done in vertical with Rise and lateral shifting. There were 2 images only central left and right.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10120389/35mmstitched.jpg

In this image the camera is in vertical position.