[shuttertalk]

I spotted an interesting article on Photographyblog - basically a quick tutorial on using some new features in CS5 (there are also other software alternative like PTGUI which eseentially do the same thing) for perspective correction instead of shelling out $$$$ for tilt shift lenses.

http://www.photographyblog.com/articles/...hift_lens/

Obviously there is post-processing work involved and won't be as convenient as using a dedicated lens solution but for those who like the occasional architectural photography or are budget restricted, the results are apparently quite good.

[Pavel]

I have been using the tools described in the article to achieve the same results for a while and the tools work well. However, there are other intriguing uses for T/S that I would like to have.

[adam]

Even shooting film, I think I could do some 'shifting' for a bit of perspective distortion correction while printing.

[Pavel]

that is right Adam, tilt the enlarger easel.

[Toad]

Excellent article. Thanks for the link Jules.

[Zig]

I've been using PTGui for a few years for its similar adjustments in panos and mosaics. I have found that the more "work" I need it to do in terms of of supposed perspective adjustments, the more blurs and jaggies get hotwired in. Actually though, when you consider the care one has to take with the parameters of an actual T+S lens when giving it a workout, I'd reckon they're both a much of a muchness in many ways.

[matthew]

I've had reasonable results with PS/CS3's panorama merging with it's 'auto' correction feature, but…

I'd title this article "how you can make do without a shift lens". The finished image still doesn't look right to me, and a shift lens can still do some tricks that software can't. Not many, I'll admit, but there are some.

(But then I also like cameras a lot more than I like computers.)

[Zig]

Ah, yep: "making do"...that was the phrase I was looking for.
I'm presently reminded that at this time last year, when I was addressing my wideangle needs, the summary of my pre-kit-buying-actions from March to May were as follows:
1. Wondering if there was truly going to be a major wow factor in moving from the Canon 16-35II to a wide prime;
2. Writing a out shortlist of possible replacements, which consisted of: Canon 14mm L, Canon 24mm L, Zeiss Distagon 21mm, Canon 17mm TSE, Canon 24mm TSE.
3. I then narrowed it further, removing the 24mms and the 14mm: the former for being not wide enough(though I was in agonies over passing on the IQ of the new 24mm) and the latter for being too wide and a one-tricker(my nomenclature).
4. My final 2, then , were the Canon 17mm f3.5 TSE and the Distagon 21mm f2.8.
At the end, the choice came down to the sliding scale of How Much Cash versus Width of Apllications I'd Use It For.
I so desperately wanted the 17mm TSE, justifying it in terms of IQ, distortion-free architecture/landies..and with ability to play with apparent depth of field. I just about talked myself out of the TSE on grounds of IQ degradation and aperture restrictions once I'd start pushing the Tilt and Shift capabilities...though I talked myself back in a few times on its sheer brilliance as a "stock" prime. I came to the conclusion that, for my needs, this kind of expense was beyond me...and just how much patience would I really have on a freezing day in January crawling about on the ground..?
(As an aside, the Distagon also gave me a closer focusing distance than the Canon wide-zoom, faux macro, portraiture and edge to edge yumminess at f2.8)
(As a further aside, I did actually buy the Nikon 14-24! Got rid within hours as there were difficulties sourcing the chipped adapter!)
I also remember, along with the cost concerns, taking comfort with actually telling myself: hey, you can always use your 50mm with PTGui to do a pano, then adjust the control points. Even the buggerance of doing this outweighed the idea of spending 2 grand on a lens that would need 20 mins of wrestling with in the cold, at the end of the day.
Mind you, the cachet value and bragging rights on that 17mmTSE are awesome.