I have always wanted to own a tilt shift lens, but like many lenses the price kept me away. New tilt shift lenses typically cost from $700 to $2,200+. While browsing lenses online I found a Canon FD TS 35mm f/2.8 S.S.C. Lens at a price I could not pass up. So I walked to my local camera store where I found it and took it out on the streets.

What is a Tilt Shift Lens?

A tilt shift or perspective control lens is a specialized lens that has the ability to moderately rotatethe image focal plane with a pitch or yaw, as well as skewthe image perspective. This is possible by additional design features that allows the lens to physically tilt, shift, and rotate.

Why Tilt Shift?

There are many optical problems that arise in photography that can be solved with a tilt shift / perspective control lens. Most of us are familiar with tilt shift lenses for their most novel feature - the miniature effect (aka Tiny Town!).

One of the most common uses is for perspective control for correcting converging verticals. This means skewing the image so that vertical lines are parallel and will not hypothetically ever converge. This method of use is imperative for architectural photography where non converging vertical lines are the standard for publications.

Tilt-shift lenses can also be used for:

Avoiding obstructions or reflections
Sideways tilt
Increasing depth of field
Panoramic shots

More on all of these with future articles. This post is just a test drive for the lens, and I would like to share the images with you all. All are unedited straight from the camera. Warning - I like to shoot a little underexposed!

Set 1: Tilt-Shift Tiny Town Method

Set #2: Tilt-Shift Correcting Converging Vertical Lines Method

Set #3: Tilt-Shift Sideways Tilt Method

Buy Tilt-Shift Lenses

A tilt-shift lens is an incredible tool for for experienced photographers who are looking to test their creativity. If you ever get a chance to use one or are considering buying one, I highly recommend it. Because of the cost and specialized use of a tilt-shift lens, many rent them from places like BorrowLenses.com. But here's a few tilt-shift lenses for you to get started.