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HTS 1.5
Item no.: 3043400
Approach
Whether solving a problem or creating an effect, a simple initial
analysis of the situation is advisable, particularly in regard to
tilt.
The key with tilt is to establish where the plane of focus already
is in the set-up and subject, and where you want it to be. Only
then can you make the appropriate corresponding movement.
This applies to both corrective action (to 'increase' the depth of
field) and to selective focus situations (to 'decrease' the depth
of field).
Shift is much easier to estimate as results are obvious. How-
ever, a combination of tilt and shift can introduce new consid-
erations in certain circumstances. See under Specifications
for details. Likewise, rotation will also introduce a slightly more
complicated situation to arise.
While it would be possible to work out which movements to use
with charts and mathematics, a visual check has to be the final
point of judgement. View camera users have various methods
of working (see Scheimpflug principle, for example) and you
might find that a simplified version of this concept is enough for
everyday use.
The main point to remember is to keep a careful check on all
parts of the image because increasing sharpness in one part of
the image can create unsharpness elsewhere.
Avoiding problems
• Ensure the latest firmware is installed in the camera.
• Read the recommendations regarding lens choice to be
aware of the limitations with certain models and accesso-
ries etc.
• For critical use proceed as follows:
Move the lens upwards (or from the left to the right when
tilting sideways) into the zero postion and then lock
it.Ensure also that the camera grip display indicates 0°.
• Check for possible vignetting.
• Some combinations and/or conditions might produce slight
color casting. See the Phocus manual (Lens Corrections >
Custom White) for solution.
• After using tilt, carefully re-check focus over the whole of
the image.
17
Tilt
– in practice
With some imagination, tilt can both
solve a number of problems and also
create a number of new directions.
TILT and shIfT adapTer
19
By tilting the lens downwards,
there is very good sharpness
from top to bottom in this
image.
Stopping down the lens to the
smallest aperture, instead of
using the HTS, could only have
produced a compromise in
sharpness.
Tilting in combination with the
H lens/Phocus integral lens cor-
rection has produced a superb
result.
HC80 + HTS 1.5 at f/11, 10 degrees tilt
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1
2
3
F
MENU
ISO / WB
Enter
4
5
6
F
F
7
8
9
F
ISO / WB
Save
10
11
12
R
F
ON•OFF
PROFILES/ESC
13
14
15
R
F
ISO / WB
Tilt - in practice
Tilt, to solve problems
A classic problem in close-up product photography and similar
areas, is the lack of depth of field. Using smaller apertures is
of course the standard solution but using very small apertures
can degrade the image because of optical diffraction. Addition-
ally, there might not be enough light to produce the ideal ISO/
shutter speed/aperture setting choice for the given situation.
An undesired compromise in sharpness, therefore, often has to
be accepted.
As seen in the previous diagrams, tilting the lens can allow near
and far objects to be in focus at the same time, without resort-
ing to very small aperture settings. Consequently you can avoid
degrading the image through diffraction and probably obtain
sharpness that might not have been possible anyway.
With regard to the concept of depth of field, however, you are
advised to read a fuller explanation under 'Terminology' to gain
a better understanding of what to expect from the HTS 1.5 and
how to exploit it to the fullest.
Tilt, in use
At first sight, it might appear that tilting the lens should solve all
problems, but this is not necessarily the case. As seen in the il-
lustrations, a narrow depth of field when reoriented can exclude
parts of objects that were included before. In the example given
it would theoretically be possible to create an image where only
the lower parts of all three objects are sharp, leaving the upper
parts unsharp.
Use Of TILT
It is therefore not just a matter of objects being at various
distances from the camera but in what 'plane' they are lying as
By tilting the lens in relation to the image plane, you can effec-
well. You should be aware of this occurrence and keep a careful
tively tilt the plane of sharpness in the subject. depending on
check on all parts of the image when applying movements.
your idea of the final image you can either use tilt to enlarge the
apparent depth of field or reduce it.
HCD28 + HTS 1.5 at f/11
No lens tilt produces some lack of sharpness in the foreground and background, partly due to insufficient depth of
field.
Lens tilted a few degrees to the right produces an image with perfect sharpness from the foreground to the back-
ground.
Lens tilted a few degrees to the left produces an image with an apparent shallow depth of field.
4/8
USER MANUALS
Make an HTS profile
You can make a special profile that lets the two most often
used actions (for example) in this situation - Stop Down and Mir-
ror Up - be more easily accessible by reassigning the AE-L and
User buttons on the rear of the grip.
1. Press the Menu button on the camera grip.
2. Turn the front control wheel until Settings appears.
3. Press Enter (ISO/WB button).
4. Turn the front control wheel until Custom Options appears and press
Enter (ISO/WB button) again.
R
5. Turn the front control wheel until User Button function (Custom Option
#4) appears.
6. Turn the rear control wheel to select Stop Down.
7. Press Save (or half press the shutter release button) and press the
Menu button again.
8. Turn the front control wheel until Settings appears and press Enter
(ISO/WB button).
F
9. Turn the front control wheel until Custom Options appears and press the
Enter again.
10. Turn the front control wheel until AE-L (Custom Option #5) appears.
11. Turn the rear control wheel to select Mirror Up then Save (or half press
the shutter release button).
12. Click on the Profiles button.
13. Scroll the rear control wheel to the profile you want to replace and press
Save (ISO/WB button).
14. Turn the control wheels to highlight the X symbol and press Sel (AF but-
ton) to delete the name.
15. Turn the control wheels again to highlight each character in turn, press-
ing the Sel button to save it. Finally press Save (ISO/WB button).
After loading the HTS profile, you can activate the Stop Down
and Mirror Up facilities much more conveniently. Changing the
profile will revert the AE-L and User buttons back to your original
settings immediately.
Save
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Selective focus
Another common use for tilt is selective focus. This allows you
to isolate a specific part of subject by allowing it to be sharp
while throwing the rest of the image out of focus. This is normal
practice with the use of large aperture settings but the effect is
to create a flat plane of sharpness parallel to the camera.
If the lens is tilted however, the depth of field also tilts creat-
ing a zone of sharpness at an angle to the camera instead. In
addition this also allows other areas to be more out of focus,
increasing the emphasis on the sharper areas. See under 'Cre-
ative opportunities' for an example.
Selective focus can often be seen to good use in portraiture.
Emphasis on eyes, for example, is easily achieved by tilt. Experi-
ment with tilting up and down as well as sideways for different
effects. Again, wider apertures are to be preferred so as to
increase the softness of the out-of-focus areas.
TILT and shIfT adapTer
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The full image
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HTS 1.5 – 3043400 – 2011 – v3
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