Graham,
As long as the tilt resp. swing affects the focus, which it necessarily does because the point(s) in focus do not lie in the tilt resp. in the swing axis of the camera (and therefore get out of focus as soon as one tilts or swings), there can only be a method of getting it set step by step = tilt + re-frame + re-focus until the right sharpness plane/framing is obtained.
In other words, a view camera with asymmetrical tilt and swing axis and a "2-point" tilt/swing possibility with the 1st point in the desired focus plane set in focus, then tilt or swing until a 2nd point in the desired sharpness plane gets sharp while the 1st point remains in focus (because lying in the tilt/swing axis) is the only solution for a methodic and fast setting.
This cannot be obtained with a "tech" camera. But IMO, it is not necessary: as long as one does the adjustment in small increments with each time re-focus in-between, the right plane adjustment can be set quite fast. But for this it needs to be able to check the focus very carefully, either on a GG with loupe or better with the live-view option.
Best regards
Thierry
Thanks Bob & Thierry.
Thierry, what would help is some guidelines as to the approach to take here. With simple tilt/swing on the lens plane I think that I've got it pretty well understood. However, with the adapter off the lens plane I'm lacking the explanation along the lines of 'if I do X then Y + Z will happen ...'. I feel like there are multiple effects to each small adjustment and it's here where I'm struggling.
With my Nikons it was much easier due to live view. With the Alpa T/S I'm not quite sure whether to leave focus at infinity & dial in the tilt to align the focus plane with where I want it or whether I need to adjust focus closer to my main subject etc. As you mentioned, as I tilt & shift the image will move in relation to the frame too. Foreground looming with the rear tilt isn't a concern as I typically want this in landscape images so at least that variable is one that I can ignore.
Do you have any good pointers to references to using the rear adapter? I'm pretty well read up on the classics from Stroebel, Merklinger etc.