How to use a Tilt Shift Lens

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[@mattgranger]

Was filmed when I came out of the desert - sensor has since been cleaned

[@arongatt]

+Matt Granger tried to clean my screen lol

[@thany3]

+Matt Granger At first I tought it was a static backdrop :)

[@beeble2003]

+Matt Granger Ha! I was about to ask if that's where the dirt came from. Sounds like it was quite an epic trip from your description in one of your other videos.

[@1337flite]

+Matt Granger Do you find your copy of the Samyang 24mm TS sharp at ƒ/3.5 or so? I find my copy does get acceptable until ƒ/5.6 or ƒ/8. Not sure if mine is a dud or not...

[@1337flite]

+Matt Granger - panoramas I think you left out panoramas - you shift left-right and shoot 3 frames, Left, center - right then combine in photoshop. They are perspective correct and easy to do. Here are some of mine: www.flickr.com/photos/9762497@N05/albums/72157652045002581

[@kushagrjain7112]

This was by far the best explanation for tilt-shift 🍻

[@TalesOfWar]

I want a tilt shift lens now. This also explains how so many of those amazing shots they get in films and TV shows are done.

[@sohaibyaqoob5387]

I don't know why people get surprised when they see how convenient it is to understand the technical aspects of the gear. :) I just enjoy the comments. And no idea why some stupid people gave thumbs down.

[@alan.macrae]

Thank you, Matt. I so appreciate your tutorials! I have the Nikkor 45mm PC and barely scratched the surface with it. With the pandemic, I've been spending more time becoming more conversant with some of my gear and it's opened up a whole new area of enjoyment in my 50+ year photography passion. Be safe, healthy and keep up the great work!

[@aldo9021]

Thanks for the video, Matt. This is probably the best explanation and demonstration of tilt-shift lenses on youtube!

[@andrewness]

Great explanation as always Matt, often wondered just what tilt shift was but only had a vague idea of moving elements and miniature effects. Good to see some more creative uses of the technology and a great account of how and why it works.

[@bikejoede]

Excellent explanation and demonstration! Thanks Matt!

[@lecirconflex]

Thank you, Matt, this was really informative! I was unaware that Tilt/Shift lenses are so versatile. I didn't think much of them, maybe because the "miniature" look is so overused! Thank you for showing the shift feature in more detail!

[@slam854]

Yes, Matt, I purchased that very lens a couple of years ago. I used to use a view camera so I understand them well. Was fortunate to find a used one in perfect condition. It does not get much use but when it is needed it can do what no other lens can. Takes time to operate and makes you think your shot through. That is good.

[@thenorthpathfinders4465]

Realy nice video. Thanks for all the help Matt.

[@cbdougla]

Thanks very much for this video! I've seen tilt shift shots and I've been intrigued by them for a while. Seeing this just reinforces my desire to get one. I can see a lot of fun uses. Thanks Matt!

[@magalloninstruments]

Thank you for all the free content and hard work on the videos Matt.

[@morrowstevenj]

Excellent video, thanks Matt!

[@parratt-world]

Thanks for this one Mat. Yep, I have a Schneider 28mm PC Shift lens, no tilt. I'm one of the 'old school' going for correct image geometry in everything: Architecture, landscapes and product photography. And as in your demonstration with the mirror, when photographing artwork framed with glass, using the shift horizontally, I can avoid getting myself in the picture, literally. Similar to 'side stepping' in the mirror example, I was needing to photograph an oil painting which was in a really awkward position, being way too high up a wall to handle with vertical shift, but near enough to an interior mezzanine balcony, that when up on the balcony, I used the horizontal shift to get a perfect rectilinear image of the painting without having to lean too far out. The camera was mounted on the tripod head (using a 3-way levelling head) first aiming it perpendicularly to the wall, (film plane parallel to the wall) then using full horizontal shift. Bingo! The Schneider 28mm PC was also in the Leica R lens range. The current Schneider shift lenses are now tilt/shift. I was tossing up whether to get a new state of the art upgrade, but for the same price bought a good, used Linhof Technika, which takes care of all my tilt needs. People new to these things must get used to manual stopping down from viewing to working aperture.

[@mrstickers2]

By far one of the most clearest explanations I've come across. Cheers Matt

[@MedicalExamUK]

best explanation of tilt shift I've ever seen!

[@HazelLouisePhotography]

Awesome! Thanks for the info. Im new to tilt shift and loving it so far!

[@slavaboggu]

Awesome video Matt, thanks for sharing!

[@dwood2001]

Wow. Something I didn't know about. That's pretty amazing. Thanks for showing us all that. I have something new for my wishlist.

[@MarcwheatleyphotographyUk1]

For somebody who had no idea regarding tilt/shift that was really nicely explained, Cheers Matt!

[@DanHartwigMusic]

I think this is my favorite video you've ever made. Thank you for explaining that so succinctly and showing so many creative examples. Great work.

[@mattgranger]

+Daniel Hartwig cheers

[@mattgranger]

+Daniel Hartwig cheers

[@RickMentore]

The Best explanation of this fantastic Photographic tool. Thanks MG

[@vincentwhho]

awesome video, explained very clearly at what it does and backed up with great examples. Thank you for your time to making this video. Now you made me wanting to get one of these TS lenses.

[@mindprison88]

Thank you Matt, very informative video.

[@apedreus]

Very clear explanations and examples. Thanks

[@UCreations]

Great video! I knew quite a lot about t/s lenses and have even thought of getting one myself (Mamiya medium format lens met Mirex t/s adapter), but I have never heard or thought about the trick with the mirror. That's a nice trick Matt!

[@cdave2006]

Thanks Matt, very usefull as usual!

[@jaimecumagun9476]

Thank you Matt for sharing this informative video and also showing samples of how the Tilt Shift works using the Samyang 24mm TS lens.

[@BladeRunner21577]

awesome! Thank you Matt, Ive been wanting to know more about these for some time, I didnt want to spend so much on one but now Im gonna get one.

[@audreyArice]

Thanks for posting! I own this lens and never knew it could do so much. I can't wait to get out there and practice.

[@terriplays1726]

I know I am 4 years late to the game, but the almighty algorithm has just served me this excellent video. After a severe attack of GAS, I found online that for about 200$ adapters for mirrorless cameras can be found to adapt old, manual vintage lenses with tilt-shift ability. Suitable vintage lenses can be found around 50$, so that going this route will only cost about a third of the Samyang presented here. Edit: The image circle might be a problem. But I am using vintage lenses intented for FF on APSC anyway...

[@IvaFif]

Thank you this clear explanation! It was very helpful for me!

[@n1ckotene]

I have this lens on a Canon 6D. One other bonus with this lens is that it slows you right down and makes you think more about composition rather than just being tempted to churn out shots with a standard lens. As usual, good video Matt

[@rafaelmoramendizabal8714]

Hello, by any chance do you know if it works with a Nikon full frame with out a cropping factor

[@bolleolympus]

@@rafaelmoramendizabal8714 yes it works with ny full frame camera

[@ravens9992]

Very informative and helpful. Thanks.

[@adrianreyes2318]

This video is so much better than digital rev's attempt at a tilt shift video. Still waiting for Nikon to come out with something wider than 24mm...

[@lolsa123]

Adrian Reyes there's an 19mm now, 2 times the price doe...

[@jfon24]

Great demo of how to use the lens - it does things I never knew it could!

[@mrDamianJames]

Just bought this lens today. Fantastic tutorial...best I've seen yet! Thanks for the comprehensive demo and very informative review!

[@Ballacha]

there's Darude-Sandstorm residue on your sensor m8

[@gabmasterphotography]

hahah made my day

[@michaelburri9529]

You just answered all my questions about Tilt Shifts. Thanks!

[@MrDJCoulton]

Thanks a lot Matt - I've seen video that explains the physics of it before but this one made it really simple.

[@dwegmull]

I've been thinking of getting one of these lenses as it would come in handy for taking pictures of railroad equipment. Thank you for this clear demonstration that removes some doubts I had about this particular Samyang lens.

[@philippkaden2233]

Great content and clarification. Thanks for the effort!

[@formatviolation]

fantastic Matt. Thanks. Just subscribed.

[@SanketPatil001]

Great explanation !

[@vedarius]

Thanks for this rather instructive video, Matt! I am interested to try this lens out...

[@infrandom]

Thanks Matt, great explanation of some uses. I've seen a couple videos that covered the mechanics but you definitely highlighted some creative uses. I've been curious about then for some time and thus help for future purchase decisions. The downside is I think like you said nowadays people will just think it's an app filter.

[@andrewmarshall5714]

I will be taking delivery of a Canon TS-E 45mm f2.8 shortly. I have been doing my research but you have answered some questions others did not. I was wondering about shooting a mirror and thanks to you I know I can.

[@thommorris8002]

Hi Matt, Old video (definitely bears repeating) Really really useful! Thanks. I can think of so many applications for this lens to improve my work.

[@rcauich]

great video, very instructive, good job!

[@ffarag]

Hi Matt, thank you very much for your demo, very informative, hence,, that in early days of my Photography Career, we were photographing Architecture objects, with large format cameras, like Sinar, linhof, Arca Swiss, calumet, etc...those cameras, had what we call Tilt, and shifting the Lens plane or the back standard were the Film Holder was called the back standard, tilting and shifting those standards, were mainly used for accentuating the sharpness of the focal plane of that object (Scheimpflug )those old days we were taught at school what large format cameras were making magical results, to sharpen or de sharen a point of focus.

[@geoffneville6332]

G'day Matt, I have been "gunna" get myself a tilt lens for quite some time! Thought I had my head around the workings before but it is a lot clearer now. Thanks, very well explained. Geoff.

[@SeanMcChannel]

Thanks Matt. I have the canon 24mm TSE mk2 which is an amazingly sharp lens. Works great with Sony E-mount using metabones adapter. Expensive but really an awesome lens with many uses. All these tilt shift lenses are manual focus only, but manual focus is so easy with live view functions or using peaking on Sony mirrorless. Thanks for making your videos.

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Very interesting!

[@rah8780]

Awesome video and well explained, Thank you. These lenses always boggled my mind how they work. The light physics still kinda do, but you explained the principle in enough depth for most to be able to get using them! It would be great if you could show more examples and ideas of when and where these lenses could be used in more situations, like the mirror shot!

[@MattisProbably]

All of this certainly explains why tilt shift lenses are more expensive than most other lenses. Very interesting, definitely the most indepths video on the subject I have seen so far :)

[@990drifter]

Thoroughly enjoyable explanation and demonstration of this lens and until now never knew the full potential of such a purchase. Could be one for birthday list lol.

[@robellisdonphotography7289]

Samyang/Rokinon 24mm Tilt-Shift F3.5 ED AS UMC is now available in the Pentax mount and perfect for the new Pentax K-1. This video although nearly a year old was informative as i've just ordered one and have never used one before. I look forward to playing around and getting something new from my photography. Thanks Matt for this video, you explained things so well and with your vids and stills, it will make my Tilt-Shift experience an easier progression than normal ..... Thanks

[@20centurymodern]

Another great tool that you can use tilt shift lenses for is to make a panorama from a series of images using the shift feature. For example you could shoot a landscape and get the lower part of the frame, then shift the lens up to get the landscape and the clouds and then stich these images in post processing. Using a tilt shift in this way will mean you can get super wide detailed shots but not with distortion.

[@satishgavai7244]

I've had a Nikon Tilt shift lens for a long time but didn't use it since I migrated to Sony. But after your video, I've got myself an adapter and am going to use it on my Lao trip. Thank you.

[@raybrown7678]

I love this lens on my Pentax K-1. Matt you mentioned landscapes, you can also shift left and right then stitch to get a wider angle of view. You can also shift up and down, into the corners to create and very large megapixel image in a 3:4 ratio. Another is to use the tilet on a scale model to make it life like (as they do in the movies to make you think the boat being smashed by a storm in a tank is the real thing) As you said, lots of possibilities.

[@johnbivins]

Thanks Matt; This is on my want list, was not aware of the full applications of this lens till your video...Really want on now lol.

[@havocproltd]

I have Nikon T-S lenses. Have used them sporadically for years. THIS is possibly the best explanation I've seen.

[@mdturnerinoz]

I've never thought of buying one of these TS-E lenses because Im not particularly "into" architectural photography; that is, until NOW! Wow, some awesome possibilities! Thanks, Matt!

[@mattgranger]

+Marty Turner Great to hear!

[@thedrtamergouda]

I had 45mm Tilt Shift for Product photography. It is amazing.

[@thomastricker7905]

I think i just found my own christmas present. Thanks Matt :), very interesting!!

[@lucienr]

Well done. It was useful for me. Thank you ! :)

[@stevenkimdmd]

Thanks for the easy explanation.

[@RayEccleston]

Awesome video Matt! Can you come to Chicago some time?

[@TheRealLink]

What a great tutorial and very approachable explanation of how to work a Tilt-Shift lens ;). Darn now I want one haha. The mirror trick was sweet.

[@kandaharanar2091]

Tha best information 🎉🎉🎉🎉 you give !! Keep it up🎉🎉🎉

[@st08121982]

I like it where you can get a whole lot in focus with a fast aperture . I gotta try this lens

[@Hangsengfutures]

Nice one. Got to subscribe!

[@PaulMagyar2412]

thanks for the interesting and enlightening video

[@ozermehtap]

very useful. thanks.

[@KieranWrightPhoto]

wow I didn't realise tilt shift lenses were so useful! and now I understand why they have such a high price tag and such an average maximum aperture! thanks Matt!

[@YourieMathieu]

Really nice tutorial !

[@iprobasco]

Thanks for the video, it was instructive and also got me to clean off my computer screen.

[@kennethjonesphotography]

I know this is an "old" video, but I have found it VERY valuable. Thank you very much.

[@mattgranger]

You’re VERY welcome :)

[@henri.witteveen]

tilt shift lenses can also be used to shoot horizontal or vertical panoramas just by shifting the lens

[@And-rc9yy]

And I assume this increases the resolution, just like the new image sensor magic with the Pentax and Sony cameras?

[@EmoEmu]

Another cool Samyang lens. Those guys have really been kicking ass lately.

[@thestig007]

I love the idea of using a tilt shift to get an entire scene in focus. Never knew it could do that. Very handy.

[@christopherclarke6184]

There is now one for the Nikon Z Mount , I am considering getting it for its artistic effects . I have take photo in the past with a wide angle lens and the building look a little odd , I have corrected this in lightroom, but the tilt lens will let me do it straight into the camera . Thank you for the informative video .

[@dmay1100]

Love them, use them all the time. Canons TSE 17 is stunning as is the 24. The 90 is my portrait lens, uber sharp and all that control on top of that hard to beat. 😀

[@PaulSafford]

Matt, first thank you for creating this type of content, I really enjoy it! I wondered if you've ever considered trying the TS-E 17mm on a medium format system? I was on the hunt for a super wide lens for my 645z and ran across someone who told me about this adapter for the TSE-17mm on e-bay. I'm baffled at how it could work, but have my fingers crossed someone like you would consider evaluating such a system. Thanks for reading this either way. Cheers!

[@wandererstraining]

I have one, and it's sorta homemade. :) I used a Kipon tilt-shift adaptor, Nikon G to Sony E, and a Tamron 15-30 f/2.8. It works both on my A6000 and on my A7R, but I can't have the lens placed vertically at 15mm on the A7R, because the lens hood (non-removable) gets in the shot. But at about 20mm, the lens hood is no longer visible. The lens also still allows a pretty good amount of shift on the A7R, depending the focal length. And it works really well at any focal length on the A6000. For those shooting mirrorless cameras, I definitely recommend using the Kipon tilt-shift adapters. They are well made and can give you a really good variety of focal lengths to use for a much cheaper price. Want a 24mm, 45mm and 90mm? Get all of these for the price of less than one dedicated tilt-shift lens.

[@machintelligence]

+wandererstraining Thanks for the advice. I am contemplating buying the new Olympus digital PEN F and have quite a few Olympus film camera lenses in both formats (PEN and OM). I had seen the tilt and shift adapter and thought it might be fun to use it with my 21 mm lens. The adapter is pricey at $300 but using it on different focal length lenses makes it seem like a better deal.

[@wandererstraining]

machintelligence To me, it's really worth it. Tilt-shift lenses are expensive, and are not available for a lot of mounts in the desired field of view. For example, 24mm TS lens for APS-C is too narrow for many interior shots, and even more so for m43. With the Tamron at 15mm, I can go even wider on an APS-C than I can on a 24mm TS on full-frame. On m43, you wouldn't be able to use it as wide, but it would still not be that bad at 30mm. So yeah, if you have a bunch of lenses you could use with it, it's absolutely worth it I think. And with the PEN F's high res mode, man, you could get insanely detailed shots!

[@acsolares2]

well done matt

[@PixelHarman]

Some of my friends have taught me to deride tilt-shift lenses, but this video really helped me to understand that they have a place. Cheers for the (admittedly dusty) video, Matt! :)

[@TalesOfWar]

+Lachlan Harman Maybe they hated the over used "toy" look effect. Many photographers automatically despise HDR too for similar reasons. People abuse it and that's the main reason people know what it is, though done properly you'd never know it was HDR or even tilt shift but you'd just know something about it is special, if that makes sense lol.

[@mdturnerinoz]

+Lachlan Harman Ahem, yes, one would think that a professional photographer would clean their lens before a long "shoot"! :0) ;0)

[@havocproltd]

why would a "friend" do anything of the sort?

[@inlocoparentis]

Wow, I'm just now finding this video. I've thought about getting a T/S lens for a while, and I was curious if you had ever used just the shift function in a portrait.

[@smileinurhand]

Great Job. Really helpful. are there any dust on sensor which shoot you?

[@3dmaxuser]

Great video I got myself this Samyang 24 TS lens and I love it :) I also got myself a D810 and I love that too :)

[@davidabbs4459]

Great video, that's another lens on the shopping list

[@khherrmann5]

Hi Matt, I got myself a russian middle format (Pentax M6?) lens converted to a tilt shift a few years back (35mm). It's working ok, and I like the not too obvious tilted fokus planes best so far. Just a little additional guidance for the eye and making stuff off to the sides just that little bit less a fokus of the image. The miniature mode works only sometimes for me. However, on my D80/D7000/D7200 I can't turn the lens 90° around as you do. The Flash Bulk gets in the way. Is the samyang actually so slim that you can turn it around on one of the Nikon APS-C cameras? It has an interesting price point....

[@shadow100101]

Thanks Matt for explaining that so well ! Would that lens work well on your body shots also? Like say if a client wanted a particular part of themselves in focus, and another blurred out? Or is that easier to do in post, have being shot with one of your "normal" work lenses? Ta.

[@NicTaylorPhoto]

Hi Matt. Great video. Very informative. How do you rate the Samyang tiltshift overall? Are the images sharp? Is it good value for money? Thanks

[@dronemetrics5853]

Hello Matt, thanks for sharing your master pieces. I was wandering about this lens sharpness...is it ok??? thanks

[@andyvan5692]

nice video, also you could say that this is like using an old style view camera, just using the front standard alone, look up view camera tricks quite cool the shots got with this kind of gear, and NO computers involved!!

[@robiulahmed]

Hey Matt, great video. I'm torn between getting this lens, or getting the canon 24mm tilt shift with an adaptor. Some people say this lens isn't particularly sharp. How have you found it?

[@joshhyyym]

Love my tilt adapter :D

[@fookutube501]

Awesome layman term video