PBase

Lately i have learned that there are special lenses called perspective correction which correct the perspective while capturing buildings that are near to us. The vertical lines of the buildings wont be slanted and look like they are falling backwards...
this seams like an unusual lens where it can tilt itself to correct the picture. At the mean time i know that Photoshop has also the possibility to do a perspective correction.

i was wondering if it makes sense to buy the lens which costs around $400 or just simply use the Photoshop? is there a big difference?
Is there someone using such a lens?

Hi Agron,

As far I know a major difference is that the T/S lens does not only change the perspective, but also your field of focus. Yes, with software your can correct the perspective but the field of focus will not be changed. You can get a backwards leaning building stand straight but software won't get het bottom of the building into the same focus as the top.

Apart from this, lens correction with software will probably result in more loss of detail than using good T/S lenses.

Unfortunately I do not yet have the resources to get a T/S lens.

Best,
Jeroen

Here's a link that explains how Perspective Control Lenses work:

http://www.uscoles.com/pclens.htm

amoxtli wrote:Here's a link that explains how Perspective Control Lenses work:

http://www.uscoles.com/pclens.htm

Thank you for the link. It opens a new venue having a shift lens. I will keep looking for a 75 shift Pentax lens when they become a bit more reasonable in price. Still holding their value in MF.

A Perspective Control Lens uses both shift and tilt capabilities to control converging verticals and to control depth of field. I know of no PC lens for $400. Nikon makes several and the 28mm f3.5 PC Nikkor is right around $2000. If you shoot architectural work (and get paid for it) you should consider this lens. Otherwise you can use the controls in Photoshop CS4. However, if you do this, you should probably plan for it when actually taking the picture. You will need some space around the subject when you are using the Distortion filter in Photoshop. Otherwise you may end up cutting off the top (or sides) of the building in questions. Do a little experimentation so you understand what's going on in Photoshop.