It’s seldom that lens lust will get the better of me, but its looking like it happening. Canon’s announcement of the 17mm Tilt-Shift lens (not to mention the 24mm Tilt-Shift II lens) has my attention. While I have the 24mm Tilt-Shift I at the moment I’m most interested in the 17mm Tilt-Shift. I’ve been out recently with my 24mm TS and been stymied by the narrower field of view. For most the 24mm would suffice in most situations but I can’t stop going wide. I suppose Frank Capa had his mantra “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough”. I on the other hand like to say “If your pictures aren’t good enough you’re not photographing the scene wide enough”. Easy enough to say if you’re into nature and landscape, but perhaps not so true if you’re a portrait photographer. Unfortunately the price point is steep. $2499. Ouch!
[tags]Canon 17mm Tilt-Shift[/tags]
Hi That is great to hear about this new lens, definitely doesn’t run cheap as you say. I can see this being a great addition to more professional type photographers, as for me and other hobbyists, might not be a serious consideration at this time…although it would be so awesome to have 🙂
@Evita no one says you have to own it… well Canon would prefer that, but there is always the prospect of renting it at a local pro camera store.
Thanks Jim – that is a good option, especially to try it and see if it is even something that I would benefit from in my photography.
With the glass protruding out that far that would pretty much rule out GND filters I think. I’ll take a pass on this one. :-p
@Richard While a traditional GND filter won’t work with this lens there are ways to achieve a similar effect. Where there is a will there is a way (custom GND, digital GND filters, etc). In my eyes the benefit of the tilt-shift offsets any requirement I’d have to be able to use a GND filter. Different lenses for different uses…
I haven’t bought a new lens in years, but if I could afford it this would be the lens for me!