Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L

[ncsa]

Arts Centre by ncsabkk, on Flickr


Yarra by ncsabkk, on Flickr

[Peter Hill]

Why do you believe that live view is "vital" for this lens?

[ncsa]

Live view for the TS-E lenses helps on the focusing side but more importantly in the exposure because as soon as any of these lenses are shifted or tilt is used, then the camera auto-exposure will get it wrong.

There is also camranger tool which allows you to tether an iPhone/iPad for live view on a bigger screen

http://www.camranger.com

Why do you believe that live view is "vital" for this lens?

[ncsa]

2x landscape shifted images

The Shrine by ncsabkk, on Flickr

3x portrait shifted images (handheld)

The Dome by ncsabkk, on Flickr

[Eldar]

This is an amazing lens, which clearly deserves a thread of its own. I just got the lens and I must admit I struggle a bit. To kick it off, here is one shot just outside my bedroom window, no shift, no tilt, just awesome-everything-else

[privatebydesign]

Eldar,

It is a steep learning curve if you are not familiar with movements, but very rewarding and a unique lens when you do. What do you struggle with?

[mackguyver]

Nice colors and textures in your photo.  I've evaluated this and the 24mm from CPS but can't decide which one to buy.  The 17 + 1.4x III becomes a 24 with minimal IQ loss stopped down, but the 24 lets you use filters far more easily.  Polarizers are pretty handy for windows and landscapes, but 17 is wider.

Anyways, even after two weeks with each, I agree, they are tough to use, particularly Tilt if you're using it to correct vs. artistically.  Shift is easier, but the camera must be perfectly level on all 3 axes.

Congrats on the purchase and I look forward to seeing more work on this thread.

[privatebydesign]

Following on from another thread recently I got a Fotodiox Wonderpana CPL and holder for the TS-E 17, highly recommended.

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=16813.msg314907#msg314907

[Eldar]

Eldar,

It is a steep learning curve if you are not familiar with movements, but very rewarding and a unique lens when you do. What do you struggle with?

The main problem is actually my vision. I used to compete with eagles, but since somewhere in the 40ties it´s going downhill. I am near sighted long distance and far sighted up close, or narrow minded, as my kids tell me ... With the TS-E lenses, I actually find it easier using tilt with the 24mm TS-E than with the 17mm TS-E. Shift is no issue with any of them.

I was out shooting today and I got this great composure with quite a bit of contrast. I needed a good shift to the right, but I couldn´t see a damn thing when I tried to focus with live view (I forgot my glasses in the car). But I know well; Practice makes Masters, so I´ll go back tomorrow It is actually quit stimulating to know that there are so much fun still to learn!

[Eldar]

This is from a newly opened sculpture park in Oslo, devoted to women. This one is called ... you guessed it; Marilyn.
It stands on a steep front, so my camera (5DIII) was just above feet level, so I had to use both tilt and shift.

[Eldar]

Autumn. The last afternoon before the frost and the first snow ...
5DIII, f/10, 1/15s, ISO100

[Eldar]

Nice colors and textures in your photo.  I've evaluated this and the 24mm from CPS but can't decide which one to buy.  The 17 + 1.4x III becomes a 24 with minimal IQ loss stopped down, but the 24 lets you use filters far more easily.  Polarizers are pretty handy for windows and landscapes, but 17 is wider.

Anyways, even after two weeks with each, I agree, they are tough to use, particularly Tilt if you're using it to correct vs. artistically.  Shift is easier, but the camera must be perfectly level on all 3 axes.

Congrats on the purchase and I look forward to seeing more work on this thread.

I´ve had some more time to play with it now and I´m slowly getting there. I find it easier to work with the 24 though, especially tilt, and as you say, it is more convenient also because we can use regular 82mm filters. I have not tried the available filter alternatives for the 17mm, but apparently there are things that work there too.

These two lenses are both optically and mechanically amongst the best I have ever used. But if I had to get just one, I think i would have voted for the 17mm. Even though 24mm is my favorite wide angel focal length for general photography, I find that I´m using the 17mm differently and I enjoy the wider view. I also enjoy the extra work pr. image you have to put in with these lenses. It is so much more rewarding to get a good image, when it took time to plan and set up.

I´m not sure I understand how you differentiate between artistically and correct though. Maybe you could elaborate on that.

[privatebydesign]

I'm sure he means reverse tilt for "artistically", that is, defocusing as much as possible, rather than the more traditional use of tilt to maximise apparent dof.

[mackguyver]

Nice colors and textures in your photo.  I've evaluated this and the 24mm from CPS but can't decide which one to buy.  The 17 + 1.4x III becomes a 24 with minimal IQ loss stopped down, but the 24 lets you use filters far more easily.  Polarizers are pretty handy for windows and landscapes, but 17 is wider.

Anyways, even after two weeks with each, I agree, they are tough to use, particularly Tilt if you're using it to correct vs. artistically.  Shift is easier, but the camera must be perfectly level on all 3 axes.

Congrats on the purchase and I look forward to seeing more work on this thread.

I´ve had some more time to play with it now and I´m slowly getting there. I find it easier to work with the 24 though, especially tilt, and as you say, it is more convenient also because we can use regular 82mm filters. I have not tried the available filter alternatives for the 17mm, but apparently there are things that work there too.

These two lenses are both optically and mechanically amongst the best I have ever used. But if I had to get just one, I think i would have voted for the 17mm. Even though 24mm is my favorite wide angel focal length for general photography, I find that I´m using the 17mm differently and I enjoy the wider view. I also enjoy the extra work pr. image you have to put in with these lenses. It is so much more rewarding to get a good image, when it took time to plan and set up.

I´m not sure I understand how you differentiate between artistically and correct though. Maybe you could elaborate on that.

I missed this post, but what I mean by artistically vs. correct(ed) was:

Artistic as in the tilted depth of field for artistic purposes, i.e. the "toy camera" or "miniature" effect
vs.
Corrected as in shooting a wall or other angled object where you are using tilt to add depth of field or correct geometry in combination with shift.

Also, my mind was just made up on the 17 vs. 24 - I just scored a refurb TS-E 24 f/3.5L II on Canon's site with the 20% discount!  Woohoo!!!

[Eldar]

Also, my mind was just made up on the 17 vs. 24 - I just scored a refurb TS-E 24 f/3.5L II on Canon's site with the 20% discount!  Woohoo!!!

Congratulations on your deal. I´m sure you will be very happy with it. 24mm is in general my favorite wide angel. There is an other tread on the subject of what is normal (I think you were on it). To me 24 mm is how I see a landscape and the TS-E is a joy to work with. Mechanically built to last a life time and optically as close to perfect as they come. I´m looking forward to some good posts

(I share your view on artistic and correct by the way).