135mm f/2 'tilt/shift' Nikkor

Here's some test shots with a modified 135mm f/2 Ai Nikkor:
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography...s-tests/pg1pc3
(that and the previous 2 shots)

Not the new DC (defocus control) version but the old metal tank version,
converted into a big fat 'lensbaby' thing with a rubber 'bellows' and a
drilled out body cap that it slip fits into. These old things can be had
for under $100 on ebay and have a huge 77mm front element which allows
for a lot of tilting of the focus plane for selective focus effects.
Here's what my modification looks like:
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography...lenses/pg3pc13

Paul Furman wrote:
Here's some test shots with a modified 135mm f/2 Ai Nikkor:
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography...s-tests/pg1pc3
(that and the previous 2 shots)

Not the new DC (defocus control) version but the old metal tank version,
converted into a big fat 'lensbaby' thing with a rubber 'bellows' and a
drilled out body cap that it slip fits into. These old things can be had
for under $100 on ebay and have a huge 77mm front element which allows
for a lot of tilting of the focus plane for selective focus effects.
Here's what my modification looks like:
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography...lenses/pg3pc13

No comments at all... not even a flame?

In article , Paul
Furman wrote:

Here's some test shots with a modified 135mm f/2 Ai Nikkor:
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography...s-tests/pg1pc3
(that and the previous 2 shots)

Not the new DC (defocus control) version but the old metal tank version,
converted into a big fat 'lensbaby' thing with a rubber 'bellows' and a
drilled out body cap that it slip fits into. These old things can be had
for under $100 on ebay and have a huge 77mm front element which allows
for a lot of tilting of the focus plane for selective focus effects.
Here's what my modification looks like:
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography...lenses/pg3pc13

No, no flame. I like it. But, what do you use it for? Any sample
images?

I experimented with the Nikon PB-4 tilt/shift bellows on Nikon DSLR...
With 105 or 135 lens, it will focus to infinity. I can take a picture
of the floor tiles in a room and have the whole floor in focus, but
couldn't see a practical application other than macro where it's pretty
handy for controlling the plane of focus.

To shoot a building, for example, you would want a wide-angle shift
lens, not a 135.

-=- Rick

--
Richard Karash
Richard "at" Karash "dot" com

"Richard Karash" wrote in message ...

I experimented with the Nikon PB-4 tilt/shift bellows on Nikon DSLR...
With 105 or 135 lens, it will focus to infinity. I can take a picture
of the floor tiles in a room and have the whole floor in focus, but
couldn't see a practical application other than macro where it's pretty
handy for controlling the plane of focus.

To shoot a building, for example, you would want a wide-angle shift
lens, not a 135.
-=- Rick

Yes. I used my PB-4 + 100mm a couple of times, but with it I did succeed
in shooting a field of flowers, all in focus, without having to stretch DOF
and shutter speeds with small stops. One can also shoot nearby ground
planes nicely (though these rigs are NOT easy to use!). For the most part,
the WA PC is more useful, as you pointed out (and a T/S even more
useful, but Nikon makes only a rather odd FL in that type - I guess Nikon
figures you can stop down the shorter ones for enough DOF to cover most
things...).
--
David Ruether

http://www.donferrario.com/ruether

Richard Karash wrote:
In article , Paul
Furman wrote:

Here's some test shots with a modified 135mm f/2 Ai Nikkor:
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography...s-tests/pg1pc3
(that and the previous 2 shots)

Not the new DC (defocus control) version but the old metal tank version,
converted into a big fat 'lensbaby' thing with a rubber 'bellows' and a
drilled out body cap that it slip fits into. These old things can be had
for under $100 on ebay and have a huge 77mm front element which allows
for a lot of tilting of the focus plane for selective focus effects.
Here's what my modification looks like:
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography...lenses/pg3pc13

No, no flame. I like it. But, what do you use it for? Any sample
images?

I do 'flower portraits' for my online nursery business and it'll be
useful for lining up the plane of focus while maintaining a shallow DOF
for selective focus *and* being able to choose the background. It's
tough getting a soft green background in the nursery setting and having
the featured plant parts line up as I want.

But in reality I haven't done that yet because it's a real pain to use.
The metering doesn't work when tilting so it requires some chimping and
this rig needs two hands or hold it between my knees while reviewing &
adjusting the exposure.

I experimented with the Nikon PB-4 tilt/shift bellows on Nikon DSLR...
With 105 or 135 lens, it will focus to infinity. I can take a picture
of the floor tiles in a room and have the whole floor in focus, but
couldn't see a practical application other than macro where it's pretty
handy for controlling the plane of focus.

To shoot a building, for example, you would want a wide-angle shift
lens, not a 135.

There isn't much shift possible with this, it's all about tilt but the
amount of tilt is amazing. In this shot there is a thin angled slice of
sharp focus from the bottom of the power pole in the foreground (not the
top) all the way to the center part of the hilltop a mile away:
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography...s-tests/pg1pc3
Here I lined up with the nearly perpendicular keyboard but pretty much
everything else is out of focus:
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography...s/full-set/pg2
....so the possibilities for selective focus are incredible. The long
focal length and wide aperture give a very shallow DOF. With a wide
angle, everything is pretty much in focus anyways, that's more a matter
of achieving ideal sharpness and this setup is not suited for staggering
sharpness though it's much better than a lensbaby.

Here's a closeup (not very good for that):
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography...ll-set/pg4pc19

Here's an example of what can be done with a wide angle, beyond my
budget for tinkering though: http://www.naturfotograf.com/28pc.html

In article , Paul
Furman wrote:

Here's an example of what can be done with a wide angle, beyond my
budget for tinkering though: http://www.naturfotograf.com/28pc.html

Yes, Rorslett's home-adapted 28pc tilt-shift is pretty impressive. I
really enjoyed reading his material. With the hacksaw out, ready to cut
up a $1000 lens, he says, "No turning back from here!"

I like that spirit.

-=- Rick

--
Richard Karash
Richard "at" Karash "dot" com

Paul Furman wrote:
...modified 135mm f/2 Ai Nikkor...

Not the new DC (defocus control) version but the old metal tank version,
converted into a big fat 'lensbaby' thing with a rubber 'bellows' and a
drilled out body cap that it slip fits into. These old things can be had
for under $100 on ebay and have a huge 77mm front element which allows
for a lot of tilting of the focus plane for selective focus effects.
Here's what my modification looks like:
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography...lenses/pg3pc13

Here's a little more interesting shots:
http://edgehill.net/California/Bay-A...14-07-ship-tel
If you click for a full crop, notice the chromatic aberration is pretty
darn severe and this cannot be corrected in PP. The parts that are in
focus are alright though. It's not that hard to do this with a 100mm or
longer lens actually.

Here's an interesting example with a tilt/shift Nikkor 85mm f/2.8 PC Micro:
http://www.pbase.com/wenduine/image/56753167
more with that lens:
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/85_28_pc_micro
My 135/2 is crap for closeups but then it's not $1,300 either.

"Paul Furman" wrote in message et...
Paul Furman wrote:

...modified 135mm f/2 Ai Nikkor...

Not the new DC (defocus control) version but the old metal tank version, converted into a big fat 'lensbaby' thing with a rubber
'bellows' and a drilled out body cap that it slip fits into. These old things can be had for under $100 on ebay and have a huge
77mm front element which allows for a lot of tilting of the focus plane for selective focus effects. Here's what my modification
looks like:
http://edgehill.net/Misc/photography...lenses/pg3pc13

Here's a little more interesting shots:
http://edgehill.net/California/Bay-A...14-07-ship-tel
If you click for a full crop, notice the chromatic aberration is pretty darn severe and this cannot be corrected in PP. The parts
that are in focus are alright though. It's not that hard to do this with a 100mm or longer lens actually.

Here's an interesting example with a tilt/shift Nikkor 85mm f/2.8 PC Micro:
http://www.pbase.com/wenduine/image/56753167
more with that lens:
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/85_28_pc_micro
My 135/2 is crap for closeups but then it's not $1,300 either.

I am not surprised, as I pointed out years ago in my Nikon evaluation list,
at www.donferrario.com/ruether/slemn.html, about the Nikkor 135mm f2
MF, "4.9 beyond about 10', 3 at minimum focus (3)", and, "heavy and large,
very sharp center to corner at f2 at mid to long distances but with some
very slight field curvature barely detectable [even] at wide stops near infinity;
performance is poor near minimum focus at wide stops (both conditions
together), otherwise this lens is excellent even wide open". In other words,
even within its normal focus range, it is poor as focus approaches its
minimum focus (but superb at medium to long focus points). It will never
be a good macro lens (at least alone - but it may by chance function better
with an achromat on it, though I've never checked this...), unlike the 85mm
f2.8 PC, which is designed to be good at close focus.
--
David Ruether

www.donferrario.com/ruether

David Ruether wrote:

Paul Furman wrote:

...modified 135mm f/2 Ai Nikkor...

...examples with a tilt/shift Nikkor 85mm f/2.8 PC Micro:
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/85_28_pc_micro
My 135/2 is crap for closeups but then it's not $1,300 either.

I am not surprised, as I pointed out years ago in my Nikon evaluation list,
at www.donferrario.com/ruether/slemn.html, about the Nikkor 135mm f2
MF, "4.9 beyond about 10', 3 at minimum focus (3)", and, "heavy and large,
very sharp center to corner at f2 at mid to long distances but with some
very slight field curvature barely detectable [even] at wide stops near infinity;
performance is poor near minimum focus at wide stops (both conditions
together), otherwise this lens is excellent even wide open". In other words,
even within its normal focus range, it is poor as focus approaches its
minimum focus (but superb at medium to long focus points). It will never
be a good macro lens (at least alone - but it may by chance function better
with an achromat on it, though I've never checked this...), unlike the 85mm
f2.8 PC, which is designed to be good at close focus.

The Canon 500D 2-element +2 diopter closeup lens doesn't do very well
either. Unfortunately closeups are the most common use for me although
this is pretty interesting. 10' away at 135mm with 1.5x crop is still a
face portrait so maybe useful for my plant portraits, and landscapes
hand held (3 hands would be useful) in low light.

"Paul Furman" wrote in message et...
David Ruether wrote:
Paul Furman wrote:

...modified 135mm f/2 Ai Nikkor...

...examples with a tilt/shift Nikkor 85mm f/2.8 PC Micro:
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/85_28_pc_micro
My 135/2 is crap for closeups but then it's not $1,300 either.

I am not surprised, as I pointed out years ago in my Nikon evaluation list,
at www.donferrario.com/ruether/slemn.html, about the Nikkor 135mm f2
MF, "4.9 beyond about 10', 3 at minimum focus (3)", and, "heavy and large,
very sharp center to corner at f2 at mid to long distances but with some
very slight field curvature barely detectable [even] at wide stops near infinity;
performance is poor near minimum focus at wide stops (both conditions
together), otherwise this lens is excellent even wide open". In other words,
even within its normal focus range, it is poor as focus approaches its
minimum focus (but superb at medium to long focus points). It will never
be a good macro lens (at least alone - but it may by chance function better
with an achromat on it, though I've never checked this...), unlike the 85mm
f2.8 PC, which is designed to be good at close focus.

The Canon 500D 2-element +2 diopter closeup lens doesn't do very well either. Unfortunately closeups are the most common use for
me although this is pretty interesting. 10' away at 135mm with 1.5x crop is still a face portrait so maybe useful for my plant
portraits, and landscapes hand held (3 hands would be useful) in low light.

That is the achromat I used successfully on the original Nikkor 80-200mm
f2.8, which at 200mm has similar shortcomings to the 135mm f2 at close
focus - but that combination was sharp when stopped down some (though
it was too cumbersome in practice to get very excited about it - the late
200mm f4 Nikkor was FAR easier to use, and quite good for macro work
[tiny insect photo here www.donferrario.com/ruether/200mm-as-macro.htm,
at 3X]).
--
David Ruether

http://www.donferrario.com/ruether