Converting Film lenses - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

07/31/2008 11:04:52 PM · #1

Does anyone know if you can convert a Yashica film lens mount to fit onto a Canon 40D? Found a cheap film lens in a pawn shop, but not sure if it could be remounted....and then...if it would work. It's a YUS Automatice 135MM 2.8. Price is $30 and it's clean. Has anyone done anything like this? Also found a Sigma 28-80D Macro Aspherical for $25.

Thoughts? Warnings? Worth it?????

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

07/31/2008 11:15:16 PM · #2

I've got no info for those particular lenses, but I know that in general, even if you can find an adapter that lets you mount old lenses the autofocus (assuming they even have that feature) will not work. There are also commonly reports of quality issues; glass has come a long way since then.

On the other hand, for $30 plus an adapter (again, if they even make one), it might be worth it, just to play around.

ambaker

Google Glass Google Glass

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

07/31/2008 11:29:00 PM · #3

The lens is likely an old "C mount" lens. I don't know if you will find a C mount to EOS adapter. But there used to be all kinds of C mount to other stuff. So you might have to make a couple of loops to get it on the camera.

That being said, it definetly will not autofocus, but might give you some interesting effects. Also keep in mind that film lenses did not have to be the same quality as stills. You are only seeing each picture for a fraction of a second, and the mind pays attention to the movement not the detail.

If you have the spare bucks, give it a go.

Sigma 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM

07/31/2008 11:33:42 PM · #4

Found the same lens on ebay for .99 at the moment. :) We'll see...it says online you can convert the lens mount, but...

do you have to take the old mount off of the lens or do you mount the adapter on the lens, then attach to camera??

Message edited by author 2008-07-31 23:44:03.

jhomrighaus

Nikon D5300

08/05/2008 03:48:17 PM · #5

Go here and learn the ways of Manual focus and lense conversion.

//forum.manualfocus.org/

I recently completed a complicated conversion of a Minolta Rokkor 58mm F1.2 for use with my Nikon D40. This lense INSTANTLY became my favorite of favorites and was worth the effort. I got the lense from my wifes old college photo class camera which was given to her by an uncle and it was circa 1970 or so. This lens will literally blow away just about any modern lense that can be purchased by mere mortals like us. Old glass tends to be faster than the newer stuff, but also somewhat more prone to challenges(like need to manual focus and figure your own aperture settings, they are also somewhat more prone to flare compared to modern lenses).

For me I see them as a way to really experiment without spending a lot of cash, then in the future I can track down the ones I really want for long term. For example I am waiting for my F6.9 200-500 zoom to show up as we speak.

Good luck with the conversion.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

08/05/2008 04:44:47 PM · #6

There are some legendary older lenses, and then there is some, well, crap, and a lot of stuff in between... kinda like modern lenses.
Longer focal lengths are likely to be better than shorter ones on average. WA glass has come a long way, and many of the older WA lenses are really not that good (there are exceptions).
If this is a Contax/Yashica bayonet mount lens, then it probably can be mounted with a mechanical adapter, no physical conversion necessary.

scarbrd

Leica M10

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

08/05/2008 04:52:25 PM · #7

The YUS brand was cheap glass when they were new. My first SLR was a Yashica FR I. Great camera that took Yashica and Zeiss lenses. The YUS lenses were after market. Being a poor college student at the time, I bought the 135mm 2.8, the 28mm 2.8 and a 2x converter (all YUS) for $99 for all 3.

They were OK, but certainly not worth converting to Canon and putting up with stopped down metering and manual focus.

Now, if it was a Zeiss lens for Yashica/Contax, it might be worth the trouble.

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

08/06/2008 01:39:25 PM · #8

Originally posted by scarbrd:

It comes in a YUS box, so not sure how I can find out if it's Zeiss or the cheap stuff?

Originally posted by KIRBIC:

This does have a bayonet mount, but B&H told me that it couldn't be adapted...hmm...now my old lenses fo my Pentax Spotmatics may be more suitable for adapting...they took amazing photos. If I win the lens, w/shipping...it's only about $7, lol!

scarbrd

Leica M10

08/06/2008 02:28:11 PM · #9

Originally posted by bergiekat:

It comes in a YUS box, so not sure how I can find out if it's Zeiss or the cheap stuff?

It should YUS on the lens too. If it does, it is not Zeiss.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

08/07/2008 11:07:54 PM · #10

So I bagged the Yashica, but now wondering if it's worth doing my Vivitar lenses for my film camera...one is a 28mm 1.9, one is a Takumar 135mm 2.5 and the last is a Vivitar 90-230 4.5. Problem is the wide angle is an automatic (no manual setting) and I think the tele-zoom is the same. Can you use an automatic lens in any capacity with a converter or are they useless?

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

08/08/2008 07:45:28 PM · #11

Originally posted by bergiekat:

The Takumar is probably worth considering... I don't know for sure how good it is, but the Takumars in general are pretty darn good optics. I had a 50/1.4 Takumar in M42 mount that was a very nice lens.

If the "automatic" lenses don't have an aperture ring, they are pretty much useless. In any case, older zooms are usually not worth messing with. The WA is perhaps worth it if it can be manually focused and if the aperture can be set manually.