You probably heard or see or even used tilt-shift lenses. This strange-looking, expensive and interesting lens is not for everyday use unless you are an architecture or an interior photographer. It’s not for everybody’s budget either. But when you use it in the right circumstances or for the right “job” there is no turning back. You probably heard that these lenses are mostly used for architectural or interior photography, but it can also be used in macro, landscape or even portraiture as well as some creative projects with a tilt function. Of course, the majority percentage of use is indeed in architectural works
Here is a comprehensive list of many if not all tilt-shift lenses. I split the list into 4 categories.
The usual suspects — well-known lenses from major brands.
Unique lenses — less know brands that did or still produce unique or rare tilt-shifts.
Tilt or shift only- lenses that featured only one function of a tilt-shift lens, either tilt or shift.
Add-on — accessories that can be used with tilt-shift lenses or can convert lenses to a tilt-shift one
Please fill free to comment and add if I forget something. Let’s make this list precise and full.
Let’s start …
I. The Usual suspects
Here is the list of well knows lenses from well-known brands that most of us heard or seen or used.
Canon
Canon has the most comprehensive range of tilt-shift lenses. No matter what brand of camera you use if you are serious about architectural photography you will end up using one or more lenses from Canon. No other manufacturers featured more of that type of lenses than Canon.
- Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L
- Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II
- Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 (Old model)
- Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro
- Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro
- Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro
- Canon FD 35mm 2.8 TS
Nikon
Probably the second best in terms of the range of tilt-shift lenses is Nikon with its Nikkor range.
- Nikon PC 19mm f/4E ED
- Nikon PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED
- Nikon PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED
- Nikon PC-E Micro 85mm f/2.8
Fujifilm
Fuji recently released two new tilt-shift lenses for their GF series. Still no mass production yet or selling, but the lenses are real and soon will be available.
- FUJIFILM GF 30mm f/5.6
- FUJIFILM GF 110mm f/5.6
Laowa
A new player on the tilt shift market with already 6* TS/shift lenses in its line. With one unique and one of the kind zoom tilt-shift lens.
- Laowa 12-24MM F/5.6 ZOOM SHIFT CF
- Laowa 15MM F/4.5 ZERO-D SHIFT
- Laowa 20MM F/4 ZERO-D SHIFT
- Laowa 35mm f/2.8 Tilt/Shift Macro Lens* (coming soon as of October 2025)
- Laowa 55MM F/2.8 TILT-SHIFT 1X MACRO
- Laowa 100MM F/2.8 TILT-SHIFT 1X MACRO
Samyang/Rokinon
Perhaps one of the most famous company that produce a single model of tilt-shift lens with various mounts is the Samyang (also known as Rokinon)
- Rokinon Tilt-Shift 24mm f/3.5
II. Unique lenses
Now that we know all the usual suspects it’s time to check out some unusual ones of various manufacturers and bayonet types.
Schneider-Kreuznach
A super interesting range of lenses, some are discontinued, from a Schneider-Kreuznach company. Featuring differing bayonets including Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Mamiya/PhaneOne make them an expensive but nonetheless alternative for the companies that do not have their own TS lenses.
- Schneider PC-TS Super-Angulon 28mm f/4.5 HM
- Schneider-Kreuznach 28mm F/2.8
- Schneider PC TS Super-Angulon 50mm f/2.8 Lens
- Schneider-Kreuznach 55mm F/4.5
- Schneider-Kreuznach Tilt/Shift 90mm F4.5
- Schneider PC TS Apo-Digitar 120mm f/5.6
Hartblei
Old Soviet and German lenses with Carl Zeiss optics. Variety of mounts including Nikоn, Sony Alpha (A-mount), Canon EF / Canon EOS, Canon FD, Minolta Dynax / Maxxum / AF, Minolta MD, Pentax K, Pentax M / Zenit / Praktica (M42), Yashica-Contax. Most lenses are discontinued.
- MC HARTBLEI TS-PC 2.8/35mm TILT SHIFT
- Hartblei Superrotator 40mm F4 IF TS
- Hartblei 45mm F/3.5 TS-PC Super Rotator
- Hartblei 65mm f/3.5 TS-PC MC Super-Rotator
- Hartblei 80mm f/2.8 TS-PC MC Super-Rotator
- Hartblei 120mm f/2.8 TS-PC MC Super-Rotator
- Hartblei Superrotator Macro 120mm F4 TS
Arax / Arsat / Photex
Also quite rare but cheap tilt-shift lenses from Arsat company that originated in USSR Ukraine. Manual everything. Still produced even nowadays.
- Arsat Arax Photex 35mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift Lens
- Arsat 80mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift Lens
- ARAX 2/50mm Tilt & Shift
Bronica
A rare Japanese brand of tilt shift lens
- Bronica 55mm f/4.5 Zenzanon-E PCS-Super-Angulon
Rollei
Rare tilt-shift lens from Rollei.
- Rollei-HFT PCS-Rolleigon 75mm F/4.5
TTartisan
A new player on the tilt-shift market with a few lenses already at their portfolio. Some interesting combination and focal length as well as macro capabilities.
- TTArtisan Tilt-Shift 17mm F4 ASPH (upcoming as of October 2025)
- TTartisan 100 мм F2.8 Tilt Shift
III. Tilt or Shift only
Several lenses on the market feature either only shift or only tilt options. It’s cheaper to produce lenses with one of 2 options instead of a fully operational tilt-shift lens. Tilt-only lenses are easier to produce since it doesn’t require to have a bigger glass to cover shifts. Sometimes manufacturers or sellers use tilt-shift in the name of such lenses, but with a closer inspection, it became clear that they are NOT true tilt-shift lenses. So be careful the marketing name could be misleading. Here are examples of such lenses.
Shift only lenses
Lenses that capable of only shifting not tilting (more useful for architectural photography)
- Mamiya-Sekor Tilt & Shift C 50mm F4 L.
- Olympus Zuiko Shift 35mm f/2.8
- Pentax SMC 28mm f/3.5 Shift
- PCS Arsat 35mm 2.8 (Mir-67 2.8/35)
- Zeiss Contax PC-Distagon 35mm f/2.8
- Schneider-Kreuznach Contarex PA 35mm F/4
- Leica PC-Super-ANGULON-R 28mm F/2.8
- Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift
- Laowa 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift
- Schneider-Kreuznach PA-Curtagon 35mm F/4
- Leica TS-APO-ELMAR-S 120mm F/5.6 ASPH
- Schneider-Kreuznach PC-TS 120mm F/5.6 HM
- Mamiya-Sekor Shift Z75mm F/4.5 W
- Minolta Shift CA ROKKOR 35mm F/2.8
- Nikon PC-NIKKOR 28mm F/4
- Olympus OM ZUIKO Shift 24mm F/3.5
- Pentax 6×7 75mm F/4.5 Shift
- Schneider-Kreuznach PC-Curtagon HFT 35 mm F/4
- AstrHori 18mm F8 Shift Lens
- Nikon 35mm f/2.8 Ai PC-Nikkor Shift
- Laowa 12-24MM F/5.6 ZOOM SHIFT CF
Tilt only lenses
Lenses that capable of only tilting (not really useful for the architecture shooting) but can be used in other genders of photography such as macro or profduct photography or creative expression/
- Lensbaby composer pro 2 — 50mm
- Lensbaby composer pro — 35 mm
- Lensbaby Sol 22 — 22mm
- Lensbaby Sol 45 — 45mm
- Lensbaby Spark 2.0 — 50mm
- Lensbaby Spark 1.0 — 37mm
- Lensbaby Composer Pro II + Sweet 80 — 80mm
- Composer Pro II + Edge 35
- Phase One XT Rodenstock 40mm Tilt
- GIZMON/VBESTLIFE Miniature Tilt Lens 50mm f/1.6
- Century S2000 Tilt-Focus 90mm T2.8
- Century S2000 Tilt-Focus 24mm T4
- Century S2000 Tilt-Focus 45mm T2.8
- AstrHori 50mm F1.4
- AstrHori 85mm F2.8
- TTArtisan Tilt 50mm F1.4
IV. Add-ons
One of the main add-ons is the tilt-shift converter or adapter. Some only tilt, some only shift, and most featured mount converters. There are sooooo many adapters on the market I will not going to list them all here, there are no points, but I am going to mention a couple of popular examples of the most known adapters.
Adapters/converters
I will not be featuring all the possible adapters here since there are plenty of them on the market, just wanted to circle out that there is an possibility to use them to “concert” traditional lenses into some sort of tilt shift ones. Bear in mind there are a few limitations to that method.
- Fotodiox Pro TLT ROKR
- Kipon CRX-NIK Z
- Laowa Magic Shift Converter (MSC)
- OCUS Pro Tilt & Shift Adapter for APS-C/Full-frame Mirrorless Camera
and so on…
Extenders
One of the undocumented features of some lilt shift lenses (especially Canon) is the ability to use extended with the lens. That gives an advantage to different focal lengths with one lens. For example, a 17mm + 1.4 extender will give you a — 24mm TS lens. However, it comes with a trade. No matter how good the extender it will soften the lens it is used upon, but considering the price of the extender vs the tilt-shift lens, one may consider using it and spend a few seconds more in post-production :). I know this since I do use one myself. Again there are several teleconverters/extenders on the market so I just mention couple.
- Canon Extender EF 1.4x III
- Canon Extender EF 2.0x III
and so on….
DIY and Bellows
It’s only fair to mention that there are many DIY tutorials on how to make your own tilt-shift lens. As well as tilt-shift bellows. That might be an option for photo enthusiasts. And again there are several DIY project in the world so there is no possible to mention all of them.
- DIY tilt-shift
- Tilt Shift Bellows
- DIY tilt shift
and so on….
So here is my list of tilt-shift, shift-only, tilt-only lenses and accessories, if you have something to add or if you find a mistake please let me know.
Hope it is useful.
ENJOY!
