|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
Contents
Rumours
Real Stuff
Canon TS-E 17mm f/4 LCollection of information and links for Canon's all new TS-E 17mm f/4 LThe Canon TS-E 17mm f/4 L is the widest lens of its type and represents an all new design from Canon
Information about TS-E17
Tilt and Shift
We've been waiting for this all new 17mm tilt/shift lens for some time... Now it's here, we'll be conducting a few tests and comparisons. In the mean time - we have a lengthy article on using a tilt/shift lens if you are new to the idea.We'll split info between this and the page for the new 24mm Latest TS-E17mm newsScroll down for test pictures July 17th Our 24mm has turned up - it's raining, so no tests today :-) 4th Test chart info added to links above. June 24th A quick test of the TS-E 17mm with a 2x teleconverter A few more sample images - Walking into Leicester 17th More sample images in the blog - Using the TS-E 17 hand held Here's an evening shot, taken at dusk few days ago. it's the new Curve theatre in Leicester.
10th More sample TS-E 17 images below. 9th We've a new article about how to use lens tilt that includes an example using the TS-E17 Using the TS-E 17A few quick tests outside of the house. These were made in windy conditions, with rather quickly changing light. I'm sure the lens is even sharper at f/8 than some of these shots suggest. I was using a cable release but no MLU, and the shutter speed was relatively low (less than 1/100). When I get some better looking test files I'll look at including more detailed files for people to look at. These images have given me a feel for what the lens is like to use when shifted. For tilt I need to do a bit more testing. If you get one, take care with that lens cap. It won't take much to damage that exposed front element. The lens has a good solid build and all movements are free without backlash or sticking. Images are from a 1Ds3, processed in ACR.
In particular, I've not applied any sharpening to the images here, so the 100% shots look a bit softer than I'd expect in real use. Images (here) are JPEGs in sRGB at medium quality. The view across the street is the same one I've used for doing quick tests of various 3rd party lenses when fitted on the 1Ds3 with an adapter. A bit of vignetting visible at f/4 - move mouse over image to see at f/8 The top LH corner at f/4 - move mouse over image to see at f/8 Note - I suspect a bit of vibration in the f/8 version - I've another shot at f/8 which looks sharper Here's the view with the 14mm 2.8L II
Stitching two TS-E17 images gives this. It's 12mm shift each way, and flat stitched in Photoshop CS3
Here's the LH corner at full shift
Stitching vertically (@f/8) gives this. It's the equivalent of a 17mm lens on a 48x36mm sensor. A 42MP image from my 1Ds3 At full vertical shift with the camera horizontal, there was no overlap of frames, so this is from 3 images stitched together
When stitching images like this I found that it's important to check focus each time. I'll have to investigate this further, but it -might- indicate a degree of field curvature that might be important when making very high resolution stitched images. I'll finish with a quick 100% detail from the top LH corner
That's it for the quick test today :-) I now have a feel for the lens FOV and its general performance. Using the lens more seriously...I took the lens with me when I was on a job in Leicester, and took some hand-held shots on the way, ans some using the tripod later. The Guild Hall Leicester - circa 1400. The original town hall for Leicester. (slightly cropped to remove a few bit of building on the RH side and obviously processed to make a decent B/W picture)
This on the way back has only had some slight adjustments of brightness etc in ACR Leicester clock tower at night
Some 100% crops (unsharpened - Canon 1DS mk3 1/2 second exp @f/10, ISO 100, 12mm of vertical shift)
The clock maker is Chloride Gent Here's the old Pex building by the canal (1Ds 3 hand held 125 @f/8 200 ISO) probably ~3mm shift
and an unsharpened 100% crop
Older TS-E 17 'News items'June 5th Quick tests added above Our lens turns up from Park Cameras (UK). I'm just off out on a short job, but will post some images later Anyway, here's the box...
...and what was inside.
It included a small screw and knob.
So, withing minutes of getting an expensive lens, the screwdriver is out. This is the shift knob
Here's the larger version fitted. It's for cameras without a pop-up flash :-)
A lot of glass - compared to the 14mm 2.8L II
Two big lens caps
Now of to do a quick bit of work. I'll post some images later today 4th Our 17mm lens is on its way and I'm told that Park Cameras (UK only) has -one- left in stock (@lunchtime) May 28th 3 lenses turn up in Austria, and there are sample images posted in this DPR thread. The lens looks very good :-) May 20th Early June is the best estimate we're getting at the moment for delivery - however Canon are being a little obscure in giving dealers any hard info... 4th Few people getting to look at one yet, but one comment on LL looks good: April 30th We've kindly been sent some TSE-17 sample images which show it's going to be a pretty good lens. A full res. sample of another image shows that whilst (unshifted) it's slightly softer in the corners, there is no sign of CA. Now I'm really looking forward to trying the 17mm and 24mm. I'll include a sample here courtesy of Edgard Marques in Spain. There are more examples on his photography blog.
29th A sighting of the new TSE lenses and a description of their performance (no pics) in a DPR post. Buying your new TS-E lens We make a specific point of not selling hardware, but if you found the articles and information here of help, please consider buying a lens, or any other items at all, via our link with Amazon. It won't cost any more (nor less we're afraid) but will contribute towards the running costs of our site or, if you'd prefer, you can look at  March 1st There are some further publications from Canon describing features of the new lenses. Also from the Canon TSE article above, the diagram shows just how much improvement of the image circle is offered with the new lenses.
February 27th A useful LL article on understanding more about the MTF graphs below... (see also info for the 24mm) 26th Feb More Canon CPN info on the new T/S lenses From Canon Japan, we have MTF charts that show just how good the lens should be at f/8
A lot of elements inside this lens
More info to come The new 17mm is a first, and that's a big lump of glass on the front. The US press release points to a May shipping date at US$2499 and CDN$2999.99. The UK one says The TS-E 17mm f/4L is available from May 2009 priced at £2749.99 / €3049.99 RRP inc. VAT. The TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II is available from May 2009 priced at £2399.99 / €2659.99 RRP inc. VAT. Accvording to Canon Germany, they are ready in April and it's 2399 euro for the 17mm and 2099 euro for the 24mm, and that's including 19% VAT - quite a bit less than the prices in the UK press release. The new design allows fully independent movement of tilt/shift axes, so no longer any need to modify your lenses as we illustrated with a TS-E90 modification. +/- 6.5° Tilt and +/-12mm Shift
MTF Chart
Sample image - from Canon
TS-E 17mm f/4 L A top down view of the lens 
Some pricing info puts this lens at some 2500 euros
According to a German online dealer the lens will be available in April
Explore our site... Digital Black and White photography and printing - some of Keiths thoughts, techniques and tips for those interested in a digital approach to black and white. We've lots of original Photography Articles and Photography Reviews on the site to help anyone interested in photography. New site content appears on the What's New page. Thanks to the visitors who've made Amazon purchases (any kinds of items whatosever)via: Amazon UK/  Amazon France/Amazon Germany  /Amazon USA/Amazon CanadaIt won't save extra money we're afraid, but it does help in the running of the site, and we really appreciate it... Northlight Images is based in Leicester in the UK and supplies Commercial Photography services |
|||||||||||||
