Tilt-shift lenses were once must-have equipment for certain genres of photography, particularly architecture, as they allowed photographers a high level of control in order to correct geometric issues and produce the highest quality images. Nonetheless, cameras have come a long way in recent years, and modern editing software can produce small miracles. So, do you still need a tilt-shift lens? This interesting video essay discusses the issue.
Coming to you from Sean Cross, this awesome video discusses whether photographers really need a tilt-shift lens. Without a doubt, tilt-shift lenses are highly useful options. They can have a bit of a steep learning curve, but once you master them, they can help you ensure you get top levels of image quality and save you a lot of time and effort in post. They can also allow you to explore some pretty unique creative effects and are often some of the sharpest optics out there. On the other hand, tilt-shift lenses are very specialized and often quite expensive. That means that if you only rarely need one, it might be worth considering if you would be better off just using post-processing for the times you do. Check out the video above for the rull rundown from Cross.
To do architectural photography at a certain level, I believe shift lenses are a must. They will allow you to compose precisely in camera without the hit and miss framing that you get when you do it in post. I only "do it in post " when I cannot use one of my shift lenses.
I quote from James Ewing from his textbook Follow the Sun. A book aimed at professionals and students and considered a standard text.
"You might ask yourself "Do I really need an expensive tilt shift lens" Can't I just correct the perspective later in Photoshop?" The answer is yes you could correct it later, but the tilt shift lens allows you to see and feel the perspective of the images you are shooting. The final crop and ultimately the entire composition will be totally different in a shot that is corrected in post. If you cannot see the image while you are shooting you cannot control the composition and therefore you cannot effectively interpret the building. Correcting the perspective during post production causes a significant loss of sharpness and detail. The Tilt shift lens gives you accurate, sharp controlled images."
I think this says it all.
The old Nikon 28 mm and 35mm shift lenses are a cheap way to get started. I picked up my Nikon 24 TS and 45mm TS for less than €1000
I've made good use of a tilt-shift macro lens (Nikkor 85mm) for shooting moving ants, etc, where focus-stacking isn't feasable.
Canon RF 10-20mm F4L IS STM rectilinear lens.
I'm sorry, I still don't know the answer to the question. Is it that what you can do with software makes the lens unnecessary? That's not clear in the video.
There was a setup, there was an explanation as to how the lens works, and there was something about focus stacking. There wasn't any clear comparison between images made in camera and images made on a screen. Yes, I've had one for a few decades and I know how to use it. But I'm not sure why I wouldn't want it.
I love the pacing, I love the cuts, I love the different setups in each shot. But I don't really know the answer to the question.