ScheimpflugGeräte

ScheimpflugGeräte refers to a class of optical instruments designed to correct for perspective distortion when photographing objects at an angle. These devices are named after Austrian photographer Theodor Scheimpflug, who in 1909 patented a principle that bears his name. The Scheimpflug principle states that when the plane of a camera lens, the plane of the film or sensor, and the subject plane all intersect at a single point, the entire subject plane will be in focus, even if the film plane is not parallel to the subject plane.

In practice, ScheimpflugGeräte often take the form of tilt-shift lenses or bellows attachments for view cameras. These allow the photographer to adjust the orientation of the lens or the film plane independently. For example, when photographing a tall building from its base, a standard lens would cause the vertical lines to converge upwards, creating a "falling over" effect. By tilting the lens forward using a Scheimpflug device, the photographer can keep the film plane perpendicular to the ground while still capturing the entire height of the building, thus rendering the vertical lines parallel. This principle is also crucial in macro photography, where it allows for a greater depth of field at close focusing distances. The controlled tilt and shift movements are fundamental to achieving sharp focus across planes that are not parallel to the sensor.