TSE lens

[Kyle Jones]

As I noted above, I've been practicing with my 17 TS-E. I took it on a hike this morning and still find it a blast. I could easily see myself (if I was independently wealthy) carrying a full set and abandoning my other glass. I'll echo the comment about needing to see the LV screen (at least if you are tilting). I found myself shading it with my hand to see what I was doing. The 17mm really does pick up a lot of flare too.

Anyway, I'll share a couple of shots. This first was was aimed primarily at practicing focus with tilt. In my last efforts I really learned that a little tilt goes a long way. In this example, I shifted to get the comp I wanted and then iterated focus/tilt until I was happy. The front of the rock is just a couple of feet from my camera. The closest edge is a little soft but I'm happy with the rest. Unfortunately the nice cloud that was framing the tree at the top moved away while I was fiddling with things...

Playing a little bit with the miniature effect (I swore I never wanted to do this, oh well). I'd need a longer lens to really emphasize it with this scene, but again, it was fun to try.

 

[AlanLichty]

Definitely not a good lens for action photography

 

[ckcarr]

These three are examples as to how I like to use the Nikon PC-E lenses. I'm not trying to get crazy or overly creative because I don't know how anyway. In the end I just want a decent composition that works for me.

This first is shot at f/5.6 and I had multiple objectives. I wanted the aspens straight, I wanted sharpness near to far (so I concentrated on focusing on the leafs laying on the logs and the bush, and then also the far aspens. And I wanted a nice composition somewhat low to the ground. Some of the internet compression has taken away from how sharp this really turned out. But you might get the point.

In the end, it's all just fun for me. I'm not an expert but I get what I like out of them...

This one, was shot at f/11 but the same ritual.

And these were the towers that were frustrating before. I can see the front is off just a bit (I probably wasn't perfectly level).

 

[Jeffrey]

Good stuff here. As an older type myself (no, not THAT old), I almost always use the Hoodman for live view manual focus. So, my first wide glass for my Canon (not counting the 16-35's) was the 14mm II. I loved it and it taught me how to use such a beast which helped my future. That got replaced with the 17mm ts-e which was all the rage among landscapers and architectural shooters at the time. Was fun, and even though I was a well trained large format guy, it was still difficult using the tilt (same on the 24mm ts-e I had for a little while). I got the hang of it and actually used the shift more than tilt. Then I got the 11-24 and the need for shift vanished for the most part and new exciting opportunities opened up. The IQ, zoom range, and fun factor of that lens put the 17mm into retirement, as well as my Zeiss 21mm prime, a standout lens I depended on for a long time and loved it's 'look'. And the autofocus of the 11-24 on the 5DSR is so dependable, my workflow got easier. And my eyesight got worse, so good timing.

 

[AlanLichty]

Another example of where the shift function can be useful is Bryce Canyon with all of the verticality in the hoodoos. In this case from the Queen's Garden trail area:

I don't think I did a single shot without the Hoodman loupe in the bright light at Bryce that day.

Anywhere you have a lot of vertical you need to correct for the TS-E can usually help. I have not tried mine on open vistas like what Craig has been using his for.....

 

[JimFox]

Canon to my knowledge has better live view then Nikon.

I personally can't use Live View. It's just me, I can't do it, it feels too slow and cumbersome. Now if I was using my 24TSE like I should, then I would think I would have to use Live View. But since I sadly neglect it, I don't use LV.

Oh Ben, looking at Jeffreys House on Fire shot with a TSE did remind me of what I had hoped to always use my TSE with, and that was with shooting stars at night. I thought what a great way to get everything in focus, but alas, I haven't tried it myself. I end up getting so busy shooting the sunset, that by the time it's over and I switch lenses, that the time or two I tried it, I couldn't remember what the knobs were for, and just had to take it off and put my 14mm back on. I know... just a little pathetic...

Jim

 

[BarryHamilton]

Wow, more great and interesting feedback! Thanks guys!
And thanks for the links to the tutorials!
I do upwards of 95% of my shooting manually focusing via Live View in my Canon 5DmIV so that should be little problem for me.
From what I've heard, just getting used to the movements and adjustments will be fun.
Man, after watching LaForet's videos, now I feel I need all three TSE lenses! Aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!!

 

[Ben Egbert]

Canon to my knowledge has better live view then Nikon.

I personally can't use Live View. It's just me, I can't do it, it feels too slow and cumbersome. Now if I was using my 24TSE like I should, then I would think I would have to use Live View. But since I sadly neglect it, I don't use LV.

Oh Ben, looking at Jeffreys House on Fire shot with a TSE did remind me of what I had hoped to always use my TSE with, and that was with shooting stars at night. I thought what a great way to get everything in focus, but alas, I haven't tried it myself. I end up getting so busy shooting the sunset, that by the time it's over and I switch lenses, that the time or two I tried it, I couldn't remember what the knobs were for, and just had to take it off and put my 14mm back on. I know... just a little pathetic...

Jim

That image I did of Temple of the moon was with the 17TSE. No tilt required, but I did use shift to keep everything parallel.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Now that canon has the new TSE lenses covering 50mm, 85mm and 135mm, the choices are a plenty. 50mm replaces the old 45mm which was the weakest of the canon TSEs. If 24mm is too wide, 50mm would just be the ticket for piano stitching.