Cool! I didn't know it was an actual lens, I thought it was just a photoshop effect...

if I recall correctly, these tilt-shift lens are hella expensive. So I think that for the most of us who can't get an actual tilt-shift lens that we end up photoshopping some of the pics to get the same effect.

Thanks, @lucky760, this is a great addition to my photography playlist.

>> ^notarobot:

Thanks, @lucky760, this is a great addition to my photography playlist.


Excellent. Here's another for your playlist:
http://videosift.com/video/Sun-Backlit-Portrait-Photography-Proper-Exposure-with-Flash

Nice video, didn't know that 'actual' uses of a tilt shift, only the cool model effect.

The voice over lady is terrible though, sounds like an infomercial for sanitary pads.

@ponceleon, yes this is a real effect that you see with real lenses. The tilt shift lenses made by Nikon and Canon like the one above mimic the motions possible using a large format view camera. By allowing both the film and lens plane to be manipulated by the photographer, it is possible to do some really interesting things like having an apparent infinite focus and perfect parallels.

I had to use a 4x5 camera (like this one) for an assignment back when I was doing my photography program. I can tell you that the image quality you get with a big sheet of film is unparalleled among digital cameras. Plus big 4x5 view cameras are a lot of fun to use.

@sixshot, yes, PC (perspective control) lenses that allow tilt/shift movements are incredibly expensive, buy not really much more than any other high-end 35mm lenses these days. (The last lens I bought for my system retails for about $2400.) It's true that photoshop can imitate some of what is possible with these leses, but digital imitation is never as good as the real thing.

It might be interesting to note that it's possible to pick up 4x5 view camera system (on ebay) capable of these motions AND a professional film scanner (new) to digitize your images for less money than the PC lens shown in this infomercial.

That was actually very interesting and nice learning moment for a complete photography noob.