EOS Documentation Project

Canon TS-E 24 mm f/3.5L Tilt/Shift Lens

by Jeff Conrad

Contents

• Introduction

  Description  Features 

• Nomenclature
• Operation

  Mounting the Lens  Removing the Lens  Attaching the Lens Hood  Removing the Lens Hood  Reversing the Lens Hood for Storage  Focusing  Setting the Aperture  Exposure  Setting Tilt and Shift 

• Lens Care
• Accessories
• Incompatibilities
• Precautions
• Specifications
• Further Reading

  Books  Links 

• Revision History
• Comments

Introduction

Description

The TS-E 24 mm f/3.5L lens provides image controls similar to those provided by view camera movements. The tilt allows control of the plane of focus to maximize or minimize the depth of field (DoF); the shift allows control of apparent perspective.

The 24 mm focal length is useful for architectural interiors and exteriors, especially when a close vantage point is desired, as with modern architecture. The lens is useful in landscape photography for preserving the sense of height of natural features, or avoiding converging vertical lines when photographing trees. By placing the camera close to a foreground object, an extreme near/far effect often can be achieved while getting the entire scene in acceptably sharp focus. The lens also is useful for product photography in which a very close vantage point is desired.

Features

• Lens tilt up to ±8°
• Lens shift up to ±11 mm
• Combined tilt and shift
• Rotation of the tilt and shift movements up to ±90°
• Fully automatic lens aperture control
• Aspherical front element for low distortion when tilting or shifting
• Floating-element optical system for good performance at close distances

Note: As supplied, the tilt and shift operate at “right angles” to each other, so that it is possible to combine tilt and lateral shift or swing and rise/fall, but not tilt and rise/fall or swing and lateral shift. The lens can be modified by a Canon Service Center so that tilt and shift operate in “parallel”, allowing combined tilt and rise/fall or swing and lateral shift. Refer to the article on Image Controls for a description of camera movements.

Nomenclature

Controls

Scales and Markings

Operation

Mounting the Lens

1. Ensure that the shift and tilt are set to zero.
2. Remove the camera body cap or the previous lens (see next section).
3. Remove the rear lens cap by turning it counterclockwise.
4. Match the raised red dot on the lens with the red dot on the camera.
5. Carefully center the lens in the mount and gently slide the lens all the way into the camera.
6. Gently twist the lens clockwise until the lens locking pin clicks into place.
7. Ensure that the lens is securely locked before using the camera.
8. Remove the front lens cap.

Note: Whenever practical, attach the lens hood to prevent flare and protect the front element of the lens, especially when the lens is used without a protective filter.

Removing the Lens

1. Ensure that the shift and tilt are set to zero.
2. Locate the lens release button at one side of the lens mount.
3. Depress the lens release button fully, and keep it depressed.
4. Rotate the lens counterclockwise until you reach a stop; the red dot should point to the top of the camera.
5. Remove the lens carefully.
6. Attach the rear lens cap to protect the electronic contacts and prevent the entry of dust.
7. The camera is now ready to accept another lens. If you do not wish to mount another lens, attach a body cap to protect the camera.

Caution: Do not rest the lens on the camera mount—damage can occur to the delicate electronic contacts.

Note: Before storing the lens, attach the front lens cap to protect the front element of the lens. If desired, reverse the lens hood and attach it to the front of the lens.

Attaching the Lens Hood

1. Slide the hood onto the end of the lens.
2. If necessary, gently rotate the hood in either direction until it drops onto the bayonet groove.
3. Rotate the hood clockwise (viewed from the front of the lens) approximately 30° until tight.

Removing the Lens Hood

1. Rotate the hood counterclockwise (viewed from the front of the lens) approximately 30° until it disengages from the bayonet lugs.
2. Withdraw the hood forward.

Reversing the Lens Hood for Storage

1. Orient the front of the hood so that the front of the hood faces the front of the lens, and slide the hood onto the end of the lens.
2. If necessary, gently rotate the hood in either direction until it drops onto the bayonet groove.
3. Rotate the hood counterclockwise (viewed from the front of the lens) approximately 30° until tight.

Note: The counterclockwise rotation is opposite the direction used to attach most bayonet-style EF lens hoods for storage on the lens.

Focusing

Autofocus

Manual Focus

With the tilt and shift set to zero, look through the camera viewfinder at the subject, then rotate the manual focusing ring on the lens until you see the viewfinder image is as sharp as possible. If you manually focus while holding the shutter release button depressed halfway, the focus sensors in the camera may indicate in the viewfinder when sharp focus is detected in a focusing zone.

Setting the Aperture

This lens has a stepping-motor–driven electromagnetic diaphragm (EMD). The aperture is set and controlled electronically from the camera body. Operation is fully automatic in the same manner as with a normal EF lens.

Exposure

All metering patterns and all automatic exposure (AE) modes except for DEP can be used in the same manner as with normal lenses when the tilt and shift are set to zero. However, exposure measurements made with the camera’s TTL metering system when the tilt and shift are not zero will be in error, and the magnitude of the error will depend on the amounts of tilt and shift.

It’s usually difficult to make an exposure measurement using one of the camera’s AE modes and then set the tilt or shift or both while keeping the shutter release depressed halfway, especially when using a tripod. Manual exposure usually is a better choice when employing tilt or shift. Use of an external meter allows exposure measurements to be taken after tilt or shift have been set, which can be very helpful in conditions of changing lighting

Setting Tilt and Shift

Whenever possible, use a tripod with the TS-E 24 mm f/3.5L lens. A small change in camera orientation can cause a large change in the orientation of the plane of focus, and can have considerable effect on convergence of parallel lines.

A focusing screen with a grid, if one is available for your camera body, may be helpful in maintaining alignment of vertical or horizontal lines when shifting. A bubble level that attaches to the camera’s hot shoe can help ensure that the camera is precisely level

Tilt

1. If necessary, loosen the tilt lock knob by turning it counterclockwise.
2. Set the tilt by turning the tilt knob in the same direction as the desired tilt.
3. If desired, tighten the tilt lock knob by turning it clockwise.

Note: In many situations, setting the proper tilt requires considerable experience. Refer to the article on Image Controls for a description of several possible approaches.

Shift

1. If necessary, loosen the shift lock knob by turning it counterclockwise.
2. Looking through the viewfinder, set the shift by turning the shift knob until the desired framing is achieved.
3. If desired, tighten the tilt lock knob by turning it clockwise.

Note: Vignetting is possible when using extreme movements. Carefully check the viewfinder when setting shift or tilt values marked in red, especially when combining shift and tilt. When using a camera other than the EOS-1D, EOS-1/1n/1v, the viewfinder doesn’t show 100% of the image, and slight vignetting may not be visible before taking the picture. When possible, use a lens opening of f/8 or smaller to reduce the chance of vignetting.

Note: Vignetting is possible when using extreme shift with a filter attached. Vignetting from a filter is more apparent at smaller apertures; carefully check the viewfinder before taking the picture, using the depth-of-field preview if the camera provides it. Avoid stacking filters when using shift. Several manufacturers offer special wide-angle filters with thin mounting rings, larger front diameters, or both, that will avoid vignetting; however, mounting the lens hood with such a filter usually is not possible.

Rotation

The TS-E 24 mm f/3.5L lens can be rotated about the lens axis up to ± 90° to provide the same effect as combined rise (or fall) and shift, or combined swing and tilt. Detents are provided every 30°, and locks at the 90° positions.

To rotate the lens, press the lock release lever on the right side of the lens. Be careful to avoid hitting the finger used to press the lock release lever, especially if the shift or tilt is not set to zero.

Lens Care

Storage

Use the front and rear lens caps to protect the lens. Store the lens in a cool dry place, out of direct sunlight.

The lens has moving parts that are sensitive to dust, and the shift and tilt mechanisms have additional openings through which dust can enter. When working in a dusty environment, clean the lens body with a blower or soft brush, and keep the lens in its case or a closed camera bag whenever possible.

Service

There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Contact the nearest authorized Canon Service Center

Accessories

Front Accessories

Close-Up Lens

The TS-E 24 mm f/3.5L lens can be used with a 72 mm Canon 500 or 500D close-up lens to achieve magnifications up to 0.19, although vignetting can occur if the lens is tilted or shifted.

Rear Accessories

EF extenders

The TS-E 24 mm f/3.5L lens is physically compatible with Canon EF 1.4x and EF 2x extenders, although Canon do not officially endorse their use. When a TS-E lens is used with a Canon extender, the presence of the extender is not communicated to the camera body, so the displayed f-number is incorrect. The error is 1 step with the 1.4x extender, and 2 steps with the 2x extender.

For example, with the 1.4x extender, indicated f/5.6 is actually f/8. Readings with an external meter, or use of a “rule” such as the “sunny 16” (f/16 @ 1/ISO), will require compensation. For example, with ISO 100 film, one possible exposure with the “sunny 16” rule is f/8 @ 1/400 second; if the TS-E 24 mm f/3.5L lens is used with the EF 1.4x extender, the camera must be set to f/5.6 @ 1/400 second to obtain this exposure.

TTL meter readings often will give the correct exposure if made with the tilt and shift set to zero, but some bodies, such as the EOS 5/A2/A2E, require exposure compensation when used with an EF extender. When exposure compensation is required, it's usually stated in the camera manual or an addendum. The necessary compensation varies slightly among different lenses; unfortunately, the TS-E 24 mm f/3.5L isn’t listed in the compensation charts, so the compensation must be determined by testing. The procedure is simple, however:

1. Ensure that the tilt and shift are set to zero
2. With the exposure mode set to aperture priority or manual, set the aperture to a middle value such as f/8, and choose a flat, evenly illuminated subject. Use a tripod if possible.
3. Take readings with and without the extender; note the indicated shutter speeds.
4. Determine the required compensation. The indicated shutter speeds should be one step slower with the 1.4x extender and 2 steps slower with the 2x extender. The differences between the theoretical and measured values are the required compensations. For example, if the indicated shutter speed is 1/8 second with the lens alone, and 1/2 second (a 2-step difference) with a 1.4x extender, the required compensation is –1 step.

Extension tubes

The TS-E 24 mm f/3.5L lens is compatible with the EF 12 mm and 25 mm extension tubes.

Incompatibilities

Precautions

Lens Handling

Caution: Sharp edges may be exposed when the lens is shifted or tilted; be careful when handling a lens that has been shifted or tilted. Return the shift and tilt to zero before removing the lens from the camera.

Use with Filters

The front element of the lens is very close to the front of the filter threads. Some filters may contact these front elements, damaging the lens, the filter, or both. Be especially careful when mounting non-Canon filters.

Use with a Camera with a Built-In Flash

When using a camera with a built-in flash, the top of a TS-E lens may contact the camera if the lens is rotated or removed from the camera with the lens shifted up. Ensure that the shift is set to zero before rotating the lens or removing it from the camera.

Use with a Tripod

With many tripod heads, a spacer such as the optional Canon tripod adapter may be needed to provide sufficient clearance to allow shifting or tilting. Clearance usually won’t be a problem on ball heads using an Arca-Swiss–style quick release, but the locking knob may need to be oriented toward the rear of the camera. The EOS-1D, or EOS-1/1n/1v or EOS-3 with a power-drive booster, and several other models with optional vertical grips, usually provide sufficient clearance without an additional spacer.

Specifications

1. Not officially endorsed by Canon.
2. Included with the lens.
3. Older models were supplied LH-D14 hard case.

Further Reading

Books

Lens Work II: Taking Great Pictures with EF Lenses.

Tokyo: Canon Inc., 1996. Canon publication number CT2-1508-000

Links

Revision History

v1.2b 2002Sep04

jul: minor reformat

Version 1.2  5 Feb 2002

Updated links and heading/TOC format

Version 1.1 26 Jun 2000

Initial release

Comments

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