DESCENTRABLE OBJECTIVES, WHAT ARE THEY AND WHAT ARE THEY FOR?

It is very likely that you have ever heard or read something about the decentrable objectives or about the Tilt & Shift and have been left in doubt as to what they are for. They are not objectives that are frequently seen, which does not help their popularity, so today we are going to dedicate an article, so that you know them and you can know if they are or not for you At least so that you do not stay with the face of #seatperonotengoniideadequememe These objectives have a clear use, they are designed for architectural photography. Now, does that mean that whoever does not devote himself to architecture cannot benefit from them? Of course not, they have other uses that we will see throughout this entry. What is clear is that whoever is serious about this type of photography clearly needs one.

Tilt-Shift system

HOW DO THEY WORK?

Courtesy of www.canon.es

If you have ever read anything about these goals, you may read or understand that they correct the perspectives. Yes and no. If we talk about the result yes, if we talk about the process, no. I explain. When you photograph a building that is too large or too close and from below, the position from which you shoot is not perpendicular to it, so in the end the lines tend to converge. If you manage to place the camera in a position completely perpendicular to the construction, it does not matter the objective with which you take the photo, the lines can be completely straight. What happens is that this is very difficult in most cases, because of the size of the building because of the space you have to move away, because of the focal length of your objective, and so on. What these goals do is change the focus plane to avoid perspective deviations. Scrolling up or down can change the view without having to tilt the camera.

Decentrable objectives allow vertical movements and horizontal movements with respect to the optical axis. The lateral displacements allow to achieve panoramic and the fact of making a movement not parallel to the sensor allows a blur in different planes of the image achieving that visual effect of miniature or model. Let's see both carefully.

Model or miniature effect

SHIFT MOVEMENT

The shift is a displacement of the lens (vertical and horizontal) parallel to the focal plane that allows different shots to be taken without moving the camera. In this way you can create panoramas that join in postproduction without problem of lines and without the need to correct any perspective. Not only is it useful for panoramas, as you have seen in the comparison of the photo above, moving the lens up allows you to capture straight lines, without distortion.

Shift or Decentrable

TILT MOVEMENT

The Tilt or tilting movement is an inclined movement not parallel to the sensor. It does not affect the depth of field but it does allow to fix the focus area at a specific point. To understand this we would have to explain the so-called Scheimpflug Principle , but the idea is to make it easier for you not to complicate it, so we will not go into these more technical details (you can expand if you want the information on the network). The important thing is that you know that this movement allows you to achieve photographs with a mock-up effect or thumbnails. I leave you a very interesting video of this effect:

APPLICATIONS

Well as I told you, it is ideal for architecture but not only used in these cases. Here are other uses:

Panoramic: I have already advanced it, but the panoramas not only stick to architecture . If you are passionate about panoramic, horizontal, vertical, city or nature, this goal is waiting for you. In addition, with this objective you can achieve higher resolution panoramas with the consequent possibility of making large magnifications.
Landscapes: your urban landscapes will gain in impact with one of these objectives, although they are also widely used in nature landscapes, and even nature photography. Panoramic, blur and perspective are the three keys that come together to be a desirable objective in this type of photography.
Weddings: yes, yes, you read correctly. Maybe you wonder what this goal will have to do with weddings, but wedding photography is not what it used to be, it has taken a giant step (luckily) and is now much more creative. With this objective, the most interesting effects can be achieved, for example, to achieve unfocused parts of the image and not only as achieved with depth of field, but a more artistic approach, a blur by bands or uneven. Do not lose sight of this goal to give a different touch to a really special day for its protagonists. Leave technical perfection aside and allow feelings to be the protagonists. Here are two examples:
Interiors: Architecture photography not only focuses on the exterior. Interiors and decoration also benefit from decentrable goals. If you dedicate yourself to photographing indoors, you work for a real estate agency or a decoration company, this objective should be part of your photographic equipment.
Mockup effect: we have also talked about it. You can achieve that effect that has become so fashionable of miniatures or model with these objectives. That there are programs that mimic it, yes, but if you want something more professional, the result is completely different.
Other uses: the imagination has no limit, surely with an objective of this type in your hands you find many more uses, but I will give you another one in which you had not thought. Especially when you take pictures indoors, many times you can't avoid your reflection in a mirror, right? Well this is something that you could avoid with this goal

And if you've been wanting more, don't miss this gallery article with Tilt-shift images to fill you with inspiration.

WHY A DECENTRABLE GOAL BEING ABLE TO ACHIEVE IT IN PHOTOSHOP?

Normally you get to ask yourself this question. And the answer will depend mainly on the use you are going to give it. It is not the same as you want to "fool" with these effects, take a panoramic photo one day because it gives you the kick or play for a while. If it is for that, obviously you are not worth buying a target of this price. Now, if it is to take it seriously, Photoshop will not give you the same results even from afar. The program will have to fill gaps when correcting perspectives, you will have to work the perspective deviations when joining different images for panoramas, the blur will not have the same effect nor from afar and you will not get photos with a resolution like the one you can achieve directly with a decentrable in panoramic, for example.

TILT & SHIFT LENSES

I present some of the decentrable objectives that you can find in the market. For Canon

Samyang F1110901101 - DSLR photographic lens for Canon EF (Fixed Focal Length 24mm, aperture f / 3.5-22 T / S ED AS UMC, Filter diameter: 82mm), Black * - Electronics

From

Price: € 691.95

(As of: 2020/01/16 12:19 pm - Details)

You save: € 257.05 (27%) (27%)

4 new from € 691.95 0 Second hand

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Canon TS-E 24 mm f / 3.5 L II - Lens for Canon (Fixed Focal Distance 24 mm, Aperture f / 3.5) Black * - Camera

From

Price: € 2,143.49

(As of: 2020/01/16 12:19 pm - Details)

2 new from € 2,061.09 1 Second hand from € 1,948.00

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Canon TS-E 45mm f / 2.8, 2536A019AA * - Electronics

From

Price: (price not available at this time)

(As of: 2020/01/16 12:19 pm - Detail)

0 new 0 2nd hand

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(* = Affiliate Link / Image Source: Amazon Affiliate Program)

For Nikon

Samyang F1110903101 - DSLR photographic lens for Nikon (Fixed Focal Length 24mm, aperture f / 3.5-22 T / S ED AS UMC, Filter diameter: 82mm), Black * - Electronics

From

Price: € 674.94

(As of: 2020/01/16 12:19 pm - Details)

4 new from € 674.94 0 Second hand

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(* = Affiliate Link / Image Source: Amazon Affiliate Program)

Nikon PC-E Micro 85MM F2.8D ED - Lens for Mount F (Focal Length 85 mm, Aperture f / 2.8) Black * - Electronics

From

Price: (price not available at this time)

(As of: 2020/01/16 12:19 pm - Details)

1 new from € 2,125.00 0 2nd hand

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Walimex 24 mm f / 3.5 TS ED AS UMC - Lens for Nikon (Fixed Focal Distance 24mm, Aperture f / 3.5-22, diameter: 82mm) Black * - Electronics

From

Price: (price not available at this time)

(As of: 2020/01/16 12:20 pm - Details)

0 new 0 2nd hand

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(* = Affiliate Link / Image Source: Amazon Affiliate Program)

For pentax

Samyang F1110904101 - DSLR photographic lens for Pentax (Fixed Focal Length 24mm, aperture f / 3.5-22 T / S ED AS UMC, Filter diameter: 82mm), Black * - Camera

From

Price: € 691.95

(As of: 2020/01/16 12:20 pm - Details)

2 new from € 691.95 0 Second hand

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(* = Affiliate Link / Image Source: Amazon Affiliate Program)

Walimex Pro 24 mm 1: 3, 5 DSLR TS Tilt-Shift Lens for Pentax K with Adapter for Canon EF * - Camera

From Walimex Pro (Author)

Price: (price not available at this time)

(As of: 2020/01/16 12:20 pm - Details)

0 new 0 2nd hand

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For Fuji X

Samyang F1110910101 - DSLR photographic lens for Fuji X (Fixed Focal Length 24mm, aperture f / 3.5-22 T / S ED AS UMC, Filter diameter: 82mm), Black * - Camera

From

Price: € 1,579.63

(As of: 2020/01/17 3:13 am - Details)

1 new from 1,579.63 € 0 Second hand

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(* = Affiliate Link / Image Source: Amazon Affiliate Program)

As you will see, it is not an economic objective that you can buy just to play for a while, or as the first objective to take another step after squeezing the kit . It is a goal for a very specific, interesting, yes, but very specific use. I have presented them to you, I have told you what they are for and I have told you about other somewhat less known utilities, it is now up to you to decide if your interests come in the short, medium or long term or if it is something you can survive without ;). I hope at least I have clarified doubts. If so, you can help others clarify theirs by sharing this article. Thanks for reading here, until next time!