Leicas and tilt shift lenses

[arminw]

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Hey there everybody! Just wondering, is it possible to use a tilt shift lens on any of the Leica models? I am using a M7 and would like to experiment with such a lens using my M7 body.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[fotografr]

Hey there everybody! Just wondering, is it possible to use a tilt shift lens on any of the Leica models? I am using a M7 and would like to experiment with such a lens using my M7 body.

 

I don't know that this would be feasible because since the M7 is a rangefinder you would not be able to view the tilt/shift movements. You would be shooting blind, so to speak.

[arminw]

I don't know that this would be feasible because since the M7 is a rangefinder you would not be able to view the tilt/shift movements. You would be shooting blind, so to speak.

 

Of course that is right .... how about the R system are there any lenses one could use ?

[photoin10sity]

Of course that is right .... how about the R system are there any lenses one could use ?

 

 

Leica Camera AG - Photography - LEICA PC-SUPER-ANGULON-R 28 mm f/2.8

 

I've never used one of these though, but yes Leica has a PC lens (Perspective Control)

[wparsonsgisnet]

There is such a lens, referred to on Leica FAQ - Leica M8 Digital [thanks to Nemeng)

 

It is actually a shift lens, Only view cameras give you both tilt and shift capabilities.

 

The lens is the 28mm PC-Super-Angulon shift lens, in an R-mount for the Leica R cameras. If you were to use it with the M8 you could experiment, viewing the output of the capture, until you got the shift correct. As the normal use of such a lens is architectural photog using a tripod, the experimentation wouldn't be too painful.

 

If you plan to use it on your M7, you'll need to shoot a lot of exposures, bracketing the shift amounts.

 

You will need an adapter to attach an R lens to an M body. These are readily available -- and would give you access to other R lenses (no focusing capabilities, of course).

 

You will have to focus using the scale on the exterior of the lens. This is not a problem with wide lenses; the DOF for such lenses means they are almost always in focus.

 

To that point, if you're using a tripod for architectural photog you'll want a small aperture anyway, so the whole universe will be in focus.

[fotografr]

The R system has this one:

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=29592&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

[arminw]

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Thanks for the advice and link!!

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[wparsonsgisnet]

In about 1/2 hour, this Nikon lens, in a screw mount will expire.

 

eBay: Nikkor PC 1:2/8.5 cm Lens for Leica Screw Mount Camera (item 130040822952 end time Nov-01-06 08:36:56 PST)

 

This is very reasonably priced. You will have to get an adapter to go to M mount.

 

G'luck

[sean_reid]

There is such a lens, referred to on Leica FAQ - Leica M8 Digital [thanks to Nemeng)

 

It is actually a shift lens, Only view cameras give you both tilt and shift capabilities.

 

Hi Bill,

 

Actually, there are T/S lenses for other formats, such as the Canon 24/3.5 TS-E.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[graham_mitchell]

I use an Arax 80mm T/S lens in a Leica R mount. That's another option. I believe Guy Mancuso had an Olympus TS lens modified to the Leica R mount.

[masjah]

I use the PC Super Angulon a lot for architectural photography. It's a good lens, but does need some care in use. The maximum shift can in certain circumstances slightly exceed the image circle, and when it does so, unsurprisingly, as well as some vignetting, the extreme edge performance does fall off. At large shifts it is far better well stopped down (f/8 or f/11). You also have the slight inconvenience of a manual diaphragm - I say "slight" because the lens is usually best used on a tripod. The other thing to bear in mind is that, with its oversize image circle, it is equivalent optically to taking a cropped image of a much wider angle lens - as wide as 15mm in certain circumstances - where the shift allows you to choose the "crop". Consequently the camera alignment is quite critical, and one of the grid-line viewfinder screens is very desirable. Further, you get that elongated perspective at the shifted end associated with an ultrawide (which is NOT of course, as is commonly described, wide-angle "distortion", but actually geometrically correct projection of a wide angled image on to a two-dimensional image plane). So you need to look carefully at the impression your image is giving - sometimes ot is actually aesthetically preferable to have a slight degree of converging verticals and a bit less shift.

[wparsonsgisnet]

the thought of a PC lens makes me think how magic the M8 will be for us:

 

1. It's a digital RF camera.

2. In Sean's words, it's an MF camera

3. Because of the review function, in slo-mo it can use PC lenses.

4. It can use R lenses with the appropriate adapter

5. And, of course, it can use the Visoflex and even more lenses (or parts of lenses)

6. Every shot is free