9.8
9.8
9.7

Canon FD 35mm f/2.8 S.S.C. (Tilt-Shift)

Year 1973
Lens Groups 8
Lens Element 9
Aperature Blades 8
Minimum Aperture f/22
Closest Focusing 0.3 m
Max. Magnifcation 1:5.2 (0.192x)
Filter Size 58 mm
Diameter x Length 67 x 74.5 mm
Weight 550 gr (1.21 lb)
Hood BW-58B
Write Review
2015-07-16

RBloggs

IQ
9.5
Build
10.0
9.7
Allows basic camera movements (tilt, shift); extremely sharp; good contrast
Knobs are fiddly; doesn't lock securely

This is an excellent way to have some view camera movements (tilt/wing and shift) with an SLR or mirrorless digital. I use it on a Sony A7. It's more than up to the job. The lens is compact for a tilt shift, but it still produces a large enough image circle to allow considerable tilting and shifting. Even though it's a very old lens, it works extremely well on my A7.rnrnYou need to know that it has a slight yellow colour cast (very easy to clean up in Photoshop or Lightroom). You also have to decide if you want to use it "landscape" or "Real Estate" style. The base comes apart so you that you can choose. In "landscape" style you can tilt down or up, and shift up and down. In "Real Estate" style, you can tilt up and down and shift side-to-side, or you can swing (side-to-side) and shift up and down. It's easy to remove the four screws and change the orientation, but you need a proper screwdriver (or you'll damage the screws), and it's not something you should do in the field. If you absolutely have to be able to tilt/swing and shift independently, you'll have to get yourself a Canon 25mmm TS-E Mark II.rnrnAnother quirk of this lens is that it has the old FD style mounting system minus the aperture controls.

2011-12-04

Guest

IQ
10.0
Build
9.5
9.8
Sharpness, Turns your SLR almost into a view-camera.
The gear for the tilt could be slower.

If you need a T/S-Lens theres no real alternative, but its a wonderful lens anyway. Tack sharp, and very well built.

A nice and heavy piece of optical hardware which will add two more degrees of freedom to your photography.

Shifting is piece of cake, just align your camera and dial in the rise (or drop) you need.

Tilting (as always) requires some skill and experience. Outdoor use would be easier with a slower gear for the tilt along with a vernier-scale for the angle. At 35mm focal length even small changes in angle have a big influence.

Using a T/S-lens is so much fun, even (or because) it slows down your workflow. Forget about handheld shooting when you're using tilt. A tripod and some patience is mandatory to get the focus right.