Canon Lensbaby Composer Tilt Shift Lens Eos Ef Reviews
Lensbaby Tilt Transformer photos & mini review
I picked up the Lensbaby Tilt Transformer with Composer this weekend, after B&H opened from its long holiday closure. The shop employee that helped me idea it was an awesome production once he learned about the Nikon lens compatibility and felt it would be dandy for shooting video. (He hadn't seen or heard of it before me ordering information technology at the counter.)
So far I've been using a couple of very old Nikon 50mm AI lenses with it, a f/1.ii & f/1.iv. Information technology'll definitely take some time to main using the tilt focus shift properly (for more subtle effects), but information technology is a lot of fun pushing it equally far equally it tin go to get the miniature experience that's all the rage these days.
The build quality overall is very skillful on the Tilt Transformer. Information technology looks pretty skilful with the large old Nikon glass (both have scalloped metallic rings), and it is sturdy enough not to drift with either a heavy 50mm f/one.2 or 85mm f/1.eight mounted on it, without locking the position downwards. The composer is nicely made out of metal, and it is a lot easier to focus than my old Lensbaby 3G, merely doesn't experience quite every bit 'extreme.'
At that place is one issue with my copy that volition probably brand me see if I can bandy it for another copy. The mail that locks the lens on the mount might be a tad chip too thick; on a couple of my lenses (the 50mm f/i.four and a 35mm) it doesn't really desire to lock unless y'all rotate it all the way to the fully open up aperture position. If you aren't careful, the lens can pop off when you lot're adjusting the focus or aperture via the rings on the lenses! I'm notwithstanding trying to figure out what the deviation is between the ones that lock perfectly and the ones that almost lock.
Here are some early on photos I've taken with information technology on my G1...
Photo above shot from within of a moving train...
It is a sharp combination, at 100% in Aperture I tin see the individual bricks of the buildings in the center...
The aperture was much smaller for the picture above, which helps minimize the tilt effect.
I like the dreaminess of shooting with the 50mm f/1.iv wide open...
sean000 • Veteran Member • Posts: 7,727
Re: Lensbaby Tilt Transformer photos & mini review
Thanks,
That squirrel is hilarious! I especially like the "Waiting at Ditmars" shot.
I'chiliad planning to get the Tilt Transformer with Composer presently. I have a number of Nikon lenses that I already utilize on my GF1 with a conventional adapter. I accept created effects like this in Photoshop (and I believe the Oly cameras have a Diorama feature, right?), but when it comes to blur I remember the kind created with a lens volition ever look meliorate than the kind created by software. Information technology's also a lot more than fun for me to see the effects equally y'all compose rather than spending time getting the blur in mail-processing.
In add-on to artistic focusing/de-focusing, I am hopeful that I can use it to command perspective to some degree for architecture shots using my Tokina 12-24mm f/4 (stopped down to go everything in focus). I'1000 sure it is probably difficult to go the precise control you get with a standard PC/Tilt-Shift lens, merely it seems like it ought to work well enough for some shots.
Sean
Olympus E-M1 Two Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 Pro Olympus 40-150mm F2.8 Pro Samyang 7.5mm F3.v Fisheye Olympus OM-D East-M5 +six more than
saghost • Senior Member • Posts: 1,520
Re: Lensbaby Tilt Transformer photos & mini review
sean000 wrote:
Cheers,
That squirrel is hilarious! I especially like the "Waiting at Ditmars" shot.
I'one thousand planning to get the Tilt Transformer with Composer shortly. I have a number of Nikon lenses that I already use on my GF1 with a conventional adapter. I accept created furnishings like this in Photoshop (and I believe the Oly cameras have a Diorama feature, right?), merely when it comes to blur I call up the kind created with a lens volition always look better than the kind created by software. It's besides a lot more than fun for me to run into the effects as yous compose rather than spending time getting the mistiness in post-processing.
In add-on to creative focusing/de-focusing, I am hopeful that I can use it to control perspective to some degree for architecture shots using my Tokina 12-24mm f/four (stopped down to get everything in focus). I'm sure it is probably difficult to go the precise control yous get with a standard PC/Tilt-Shift lens, merely it seems like it ought to piece of work well enough for some shots.
Sean
I thought perspective control was by and large washed with the shift role... The tilt transformer seems to be bully fun, but is only tilt - no shift. There are other options out there which are conceptually like, but but shift with no tilt. I haven't seen one that is both in the wild yet - my be difficult to manage getting all the adjustments in while staying rigid.
Walter
Re: Lensbaby Tilt Transformer photos & mini review
Thanks sean000!
I concord, I much prefer doing the tilt effect practically, information technology is fun to experiment with and being able to accurately come across it in real time helps a lot. I love the bokeh of the Nikons I have...
Being able to shift the aeroplane of focus is really handy for photographing items similar food. With the 1.two lens fully open, I could keep more parts of a fruit basket in focus than I could unremarkably. This is where the tilt function rocks.
Re: Lensbaby Tilt Transformer photos & mini review
Walter,
You're right nearly the lack of the shift role, which would be squeamish for architecture shots. I haven't had a chance to tripod mount the camera and see how the tilt affects the scene in relation to perspective, if information technology all.
Even so, I've constitute that I really enjoy the Tilt Transformer so far. I'll play around with the Composer component later, information technology has really insane defocus shifts.
sean000 • Veteran Member • Posts: 7,727
Re: Lensbaby Tilt Transformer photos & mini review
saghost wrote:
sean000 wrote:
Thanks,
That squirrel is hilarious! I peculiarly like the "Waiting at Ditmars" shot.
I'g planning to get the Tilt Transformer with Composer soon. I have a number of Nikon lenses that I already use on my GF1 with a conventional adapter. I have created furnishings like this in Photoshop (and I believe the Oly cameras take a Diorama feature, right?), just when it comes to blur I think the kind created with a lens volition always expect amend than the kind created by software. It's also a lot more fun for me to see the effects as you etch rather than spending time getting the blur in mail-processing.
In addition to creative focusing/de-focusing, I am hopeful that I tin employ it to control perspective to some degree for compages shots using my Tokina 12-24mm f/4 (stopped downwards to get everything in focus). I'chiliad certain information technology is probably hard to get the precise control you get with a standard PC/Tilt-Shift lens, but information technology seems like it ought to work well enough for some shots.
Sean
I thought perspective control was generally done with the shift function... The tilt transformer seems to be peachy fun, but is but tilt - no shift. There are other options out at that place which are conceptually like, but just shift with no tilt. I haven't seen 1 that is both in the wild yet - my exist hard to manage getting all the adjustments in while staying rigid.
Walter
Rats. I've never used a PC lens, then I wasn't sure whether information technology was the shift, the tilt, or both that was required. I was hoping just the tilt would provide some degree of perspective control since it would allow yous to keep the sensor parallel to the edifice while tilting the lens to capture more of it. I guess in that location is more to it.
Sean
Olympus East-M1 II Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 Pro Olympus forty-150mm F2.8 Pro Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 Fisheye Olympus OM-D Due east-M5 +6 more
Diane B • Forum Pro • Posts: twenty,700
Tilt, no shift
You're correct saghost. I shoot with a Canon TS on my 5d and occasionally on the G1 ( merely only selective focus there) and have the TT and added the Focus Forepart (plus I accept the original Composer in 4/3 that I use an adapter with in G1 and GF1). You cannot use the TT which is tilt merely for perspective control. That requires shift.
However you tin can, with patience ( only like the patience information technology requires to work with a TS to control the perception of more DOF--really the wedge of focus) accept a lot more control over the tilt/focus wedge than ane would retrieve as the OP is saying since the EF TS have very controllable tilt with degrees/knobs to adjust.
I'm thoroughly enjoying mine. I had been shooting the TT with my FD lenses (24, 28, 35 generally, tried fifty) and a Fotodiox Nikon to FD adapter which is like using a ane.4x extension tube. I got a used Nikon 35/2 this week since its a FL I like and am enjoying information technology too--plus the Focus Front.
Expert little review.
Diane
saghost wrote:
sean000 wrote:
Thanks,
That squirrel is hilarious! I especially like the "Waiting at Ditmars" shot.
I'1000 planning to get the Tilt Transformer with Composer shortly. I accept a number of Nikon lenses that I already use on my GF1 with a conventional adapter. I have created effects like this in Photoshop (and I believe the Oly cameras have a Diorama feature, right?), simply when information technology comes to blur I remember the kind created with a lens will always await amend than the kind created by software. Information technology's likewise a lot more fun for me to see the furnishings as yous compose rather than spending fourth dimension getting the mistiness in mail-processing.
In addition to creative focusing/de-focusing, I am hopeful that I can employ it to command perspective to some degree for compages shots using my Tokina 12-24mm f/4 (stopped downwards to get everything in focus). I'grand sure it is probably difficult to get the precise control you get with a standard PC/Tilt-Shift lens, but information technology seems similar information technology ought to work well plenty for some shots.
Sean
I idea perspective control was generally done with the shift function... The tilt transformer seems to exist great fun, merely is just tilt - no shift. In that location are other options out at that place which are conceptually similar, but only shift with no tilt. I haven't seen one that is both in the wild all the same - my be difficult to manage getting all the adjustments in while staying rigid.
Walter
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 Apple tree iPhone XS Max +i more than
tedolf • Forum Pro • Posts: 28,711
Re: Lensbaby Tilt Transformer photos & mini review
Wow, that is actually wierd. The consequence is very pronounced.
Olympus PEN Eastward-P5 Olympus G.Zuiko Digital ED nine-18mm F4.0-5.6 Olympus G.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm one:4-5.6 Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 Fisheye Olympus One thousand.Zuiko Digital xiv-42mm ane:3.five-5.6 II R +ix more
yoshi • Contributing Member • Posts: 709
Re: Lensbaby Tilt Transformer photos & mini review
Man, only when I thought I had convinced myself NOT to get one I 'accidentally' clicked on this thread - lol.
Judge I'll be dusting off some Nikkor glass soon
Re: Lensbaby Tilt Transformer photos & mini review
Yous DID selection upwardly the Composer every bit well, correct? If you're using former Nikkors, do you need the Composer and non only the Tilt Transformer? I'm thinking of getting the TT to apply with my GH1 and have some erstwhile Nikon drinking glass, and so I wonder if the Composer (which is, from what I sympathise, a 40mm Nikon mountain pancake) is necessary.
Thank you for the review, and I really like the photos.
Re: Lensbaby Tilt Transformer photos & mini review
Ron,
I did pick upwards the Composer function as well, because optically it is completely different than working with the Nikon lenses, but information technology definitely isn't necessary.
The Composer's optic that it comes with has much greater distortion than the Nikon lenses, due in no small part to the incredible simplicity of the lens assembly (Two lenses!). It seems to me to be sharper than the older Lensbaby 3G I accept, at least when fully open at f/one.half dozen.
The composer main lens can exist swapped out with different event lenses, which can really alter the results also. I believe that currently it isn't possible to purchase the Composer if you only pick upward the Tilt Transformer, which is one of the chief reasons I got both.
An of import note about the 40mm Composer Pancake: Nosotros were hoping nosotros could mount it on an old Nikon Fe body (or a Canon DSLR with a converter), merely it is very similar to the old super-wide Nikkor NAI fish-center lenses: the lens protrudes also securely into the camera, running into the mirror.
We also tried mounting it on a Fotodiox Nikon to M4/3 adapter, and while information technology did work, information technology didn't really seem to fit properly. The Composer felt like information technology was going to get stuck...
I call up overall I'll probably employ the Tilt Transformer with the Nikon lenses well-nigh of the time, but I like keeping my options open!
Ron Rodenmeyer wrote:
Yous DID pick upward the Composer as well, correct? If y'all're using old Nikkors, practise y'all need the Composer and not just the Tilt Transformer? I'chiliad thinking of getting the TT to utilize with my GH1 and have some old Nikon glass, then I wonder if the Composer (which is, from what I understand, a 40mm Nikon mount pancake) is necessary.
Thanks for the review, and I really similar the photos.
Aex • Regular Fellow member • Posts: 399
Re: Lensbaby Tilt Transformer photos & mini review
Mate, practice you take any portrait-ish sample of the Transformer + Composer wide open?
What is the minimum focusing distance?
GiantGinkgo wrote:
I picked up the Lensbaby Tilt Transformer with Composer this weekend, after B&H opened from its long vacation closure. The store employee that helped me idea it was an awesome product once he learned about the Nikon lens compatibility and felt it would be great for shooting video. (He hadn't seen or heard of information technology before me ordering it at the counter.)
So far I've been using a couple of very old Nikon 50mm AI lenses with it, a f/1.two & f/1.4. Information technology'll definitely take some time to master using the tilt focus shift properly (for more subtle effects), just it is a lot of fun pushing it as far as it tin can go to go the miniature feel that'south all the rage these days.
The build quality overall is very good on the Tilt Transformer. It looks pretty skilful with the big old Nikon drinking glass (both have scalloped metal rings), and it is sturdy enough not to drift with either a heavy 50mm f/1.ii or 85mm f/1.8 mounted on information technology, without locking the position down. The composer is nicely made out of metal, and it is a lot easier to focus than my old Lensbaby 3G, but doesn't feel quite every bit 'extreme.'
There is one consequence with my copy that will probably make me see if I tin can swap it for another re-create. The post that locks the lens on the mount might be a tad bit too thick; on a couple of my lenses (the 50mm f/1.4 and a 35mm) it doesn't actually desire to lock unless yous rotate it all the way to the fully open discontinuity position. If yous aren't careful, the lens can pop off when you're adjusting the focus or discontinuity via the rings on the lenses! I'thousand still trying to effigy out what the deviation is betwixt the ones that lock perfectly and the ones that almost lock.
Hither are some early photos I've taken with it on my G1...
Re: Lensbaby Tilt Transformer photos & mini review
Thanks for the info!
GiantGinkgo wrote:
Ron,I did selection upwardly the Composer part likewise, because optically information technology is completely unlike than working with the Nikon lenses, simply it definitely isn't necessary.
The Composer's optic that it comes with has much greater distortion than the Nikon lenses, due in no small part to the incredible simplicity of the lens assembly (Two lenses!). Information technology seems to me to exist sharper than the older Lensbaby 3G I have, at least when fully open at f/1.vi.
The composer main lens tin be swapped out with different event lenses, which can actually change the results as well. I believe that currently it isn't possible to purchase the Composer if you merely pick up the Tilt Transformer, which is 1 of the main reasons I got both.
An important note virtually the 40mm Composer Pancake: We were hoping we could mount it on an old Nikon Fe body (or a Canon DSLR with a converter), but information technology is very similar to the former super-wide Nikkor NAI fish-eye lenses: the lens protrudes as well deeply into the camera, running into the mirror.
We too tried mounting it on a Fotodiox Nikon to M4/iii adapter, and while it did work, it didn't really seem to fit properly. The Composer felt like it was going to become stuck...
I think overall I'll probably utilise the Tilt Transformer with the Nikon lenses nearly of the time, just I like keeping my options open!
Ron Rodenmeyer wrote:
You DID choice up the Composer as well, correct? If you lot're using sometime Nikkors, exercise you need the Composer and not merely the Tilt Transformer? I'one thousand thinking of getting the TT to apply with my GH1 and have some erstwhile Nikon glass, so I wonder if the Composer (which is, from what I empathize, a 40mm Nikon mount pancake) is necessary.
Thanks for the review, and I actually similar the photos.
Kadoorie • Junior Member • Posts: 35
Re: Lensbaby Tilt Transformer photos & mini review
Hi guys
i think I am 4 years late but this is the only postal service I found of the subject area. I purchased a TT last week. I tried with several ais nikkor lenses and really like the effect. On some low-cal background shots I found a pocket-sized spot, like to dust on sensor spot, in the center; it tin be eliminated by LR easily but still annoying.
Do yous take the same issue or just I got a bad item?
Source: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/2882208
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