Tilt-Shift Calculator — Scheimpflug Plane of Focus

The Scheimpflug principle states that sharp focus is achieved along a plane, not just at a single distance. When the lens plane is tilted relative to the sensor plane, the plane of sharp focus also tilts. The sensor plane, lens plane and focus plane all converge at a single line (the Scheimpflug intersection).

The hinge distance (J) is the distance below the lens where the focus plane pivots. J = focal length ÷ sin(tilt angle). For a 24mm lens tilted 5°, J = 24 ÷ sin(5°) = 275mm. This point stays fixed as you change focus distance — focus just rotates the plane around this hinge.

Tilt the lens to align the focus plane with your subject plane. For landscape: tilt down to keep foreground and horizon both sharp at wide apertures. For architecture: keep shift parallel (no tilt) to prevent converging verticals. For creative effect: reverse tilt to create selective miniature focus.

Typically very little. 2-5° of tilt is usually sufficient for landscape photography. The exact amount depends on the angle between the camera and the subject plane. Start with 2-3° and adjust while checking focus in live view. Too much tilt tilts the focus plane too steeply.