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DIY Shift Lenses

Tilt and shift lenses, also known as "TS" lenses are used by photographers who specialize in architectural photography. By changing the vertical and horizontal axis of the lens, you are able to change the perspective of objects in your picture. The original purpose was to straighten vertical objects. With a normal lens, vertical objects will tend to lean towards the center of the frame, especially tall structures. TS lenses can be expensive. Using a bellows and standard lens you can recreate the same effect.

Things You'll Need

Single lens reflex camera
Bellows attachment
Wide-angle lens

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off your digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera. Press the lens release button and rotate the lens to remove it from the camera.
- 2
  Attach the camera bellows to the camera. Line up the guide dot on the bellows rear mounting bracket and rotate the bellows until they click into place. Retract the bellows almost to the most compressed position. You will need to be able to move the angle of the bellows so you can retract entirely.
- 3
  Attach your wide angle lens to the front of the bellows. Depending on the age of the bellows, you may still have all the same auto exposure and metering functionality. You will have to set the exposure manually with older bellows.
- 4
  Switch the lens to "MF" for manual focus. And focus the lens to infinity. Adjust the bellows by slightly advancing one side of the bellows further than the other side. This will shift the horizontal axis of the lens. Once you have achieved the desired result, manually focus the lens, set the exposure and take a test picture. Review the picture on the rear LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen. Make adjustments where necessary and continue shooting.

Photography