Camera/Lens combinations using adaptors

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G

12/15/2011 08:43:06 AM · #1

Having had a nightmare with my temporary switch to Pentax (long story, had an investor but didn't work out) I have fortunately kept my Leica stuff and acquired a Canon 7D. Yesyerday I found a very nice little adaptor that enables me to use that wonderful Leica R glass on my very nice 7D the results have been jaw-dropping.

Does anyone else use these adaptors for their camera and what results have you had with it?

I would list all the lenses that work well with the 7D but it is easier to go see my profile, ALL of those Leica lenses are amazing on a 7D. I know my old R8/DMR is getting on a bit now but the 7D really gets the best out of that yummy glass.

The R8/DMR is so temperamental and has been giving out the old 'error2' lately (usually means time to die) I am very happy to know that I can keep my glass forever.

I will post some photos direct from camera soon, please feel free to link with your camera/lens combinations

JamesA

Nikon D800

12/15/2011 09:27:36 AM · #2

Looking forward to the combinations, how much was the adapter and are the R lenses much more costly than there EOS counterparts?

lukask

Fujifilm x100

Contax 50mm f/1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar T* MF

12/15/2011 09:38:08 AM · #3

I'm using Contax Zeiss, Olympus Zuiko and Asahi Super-Takumar on 5d with great results. All they need is a simple and cheap adapter. Can't beat the price/quality ratio with older fixed lenses.

JamesA

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G

12/15/2011 09:49:08 AM · #4

Everyone should post thier examples.

I use Pentax Ks on my Canon 40D and L39s on my Bessa R2

Message edited by author 2011-12-15 09:49:51.

12/15/2011 09:54:21 AM · #5

R lenses are getting very cheap these days compared to original prices. I recently picked up a 19mm f2.8 for £700, although that sounds a huge amount to pay, the original price is well over £2000. you can get the R-28-70 f3.5 for around £300 and primes, 135mm f2.8 around £300 a 50mm f2 for about £250. Adaptor was £20

As well as removable adaptors, I have noticed they also sell replacement mount rings that actually replace the original mount... BRILLIANT! Should my R8/DMR ever pack up I may be tempted to convert them all.

I want to post some photos but I have submitted 1 to the free study and the image would be recognisable so I will shoot some more tomorrow and post them..

Message edited by author 2011-12-15 09:54:55.

12/15/2011 10:03:31 AM · #6

It's funny you should post this, I've been meaning to make my own post on the benefits of using adapters to expand you glass range. I think one of the great benefits of it (aside from if you have a load of glass already with different mounts to your current camera) is the ability to use old lenses, e.g. I've been extensively using an Olympus Zuiko 55mm f/1.2 (made in 1976) on my 550D these last 3 months...

It cost me £295 (including shipping) for one in absolutely mint condition (f/1.4 lenses can be had for less than the cost of the Canon 50mm 1/.8 and f/1.2 lenses can be had for half the price of the Canon 50mm f/1.4 if you don't mind a more "well used" example), and an extra £20 for a programmable adapter to add correct exif data and focus confirmation. This is for a lens that in the 70's cost more than Canon's 50mm f/1.2 costs today.

Now there's no denying that optics have moved on since the 70's/80's and you obviously loose autofocus (which I've never found much use for in shallow dof or low light shooting on a 550D anyway), but not only do you get a great bargain (taking it for what it is), but old lenses all exhibit their own qualities (and imperfections) that can make them a joy to use. Just using the fast fifty as an example, there are so many to choose from (I could probably count around 40 that'd work with eos), each with their own unique (and often instantly identifiable) bokeh, sharpness, flare characteristics and construction (the construction of my Zuiko with the smoothness of its focusing ring really puts the Canon 50mm f/1.2 to shame). The key with all these lenses I think is to know their flaws, work with them, and love them for it =).

Anyway, as I said I had intended to do a thread of this but haven't had the chance to make any comparison shots yet, but here are a couple of images I already have uploaded that were taken with this lens:

12/15/2011 10:07:15 AM · #7

Please feel free to flood this thread with images and combinations, I think it will be very interesting.. The lens I am really enjoying is my Leica R 19mm f2.8 on the 7D I will post some soon enough.

12/15/2011 10:36:50 AM · #8

Here's a snapshot of my wife Hanae using a Canon 7D with a Leica-R-80mm f1.4 Summilux all I did was convert to B&W

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

12/15/2011 10:40:22 AM · #9

Originally posted by MAK:

Please feel free to flood this thread with images and combinations, I think it will be very interesting.. The lens I am really enjoying is my Leica R 19mm f2.8 on the 7D I will post some soon enough.

I'd love to try this particular lens on a 35mm frame, specifically for night sky photography.

I have adapters for Exakta, M42 and T-Mount, and a small collection of some of these lenses. One of my favorites is the 75/1.5 Zeiss Biotar.

Message edited by author 2011-12-15 10:40:35.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

12/20/2011 07:22:55 PM · #10

I don't want this thread to die (though I guess it's a slightly niche subject - which is a shame), so more of a bumb than interesting images, but here are a few of the first pictures I took with my zuiko 55mm 3 months ago showing how old lenses with thorium elements look awesome (orange glass) and the bokeh I love from this lens :).

Hoping people continue this thread!

RamblinR

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

12/20/2011 08:43:33 PM · #11

Maybe I missed it in the posts but how much does the adapter cost?

Thanks

12/20/2011 09:02:42 PM · #12

Most adapters are quite cheap, e.g. the M42, R and OM to EF adapters can all be had for around £5 on ebay here (including shipping - usually from china), or £20 for one with a chip to give correct exif data and allow focus confirm (you can buy these chips separately and glue them on yourself for about £3). Certain rare or difficult to achieve adapters can cost a fair amount more though, e.g. the only optic-less FL to EF adapter (which works with only a few lenses) I know of is about £90, but that's quite specialist since FL lenses typically sit nearer the cameras sensor than EF lenses do, so an FL to EF adapter has to pull the lens a few mm inside the camera body, while not letting the mirror hit the lens still (plus there's hardly any demand for it).

Using Manual Focus Lenses on Canon EOS bodies - is a good article on it for EOS cameras.
Vintage Lenses on Digital Cameras - a less technical overview on the subject.

Just avoid adapters containing optics which degrade image quality (and work as magnifiers), that's the main thing to keep in mind when shopping, although the only adapters that contain optics generally are the ones where it wouldn't be possible to focus the lens on the new body otherwise.

12/20/2011 09:10:55 PM · #13

I have my dad's old OM-1 kit (which I bought for him, back in the day), so we have an adaptor coming to fit those lenses on the Canons. We'll see how that works :-)

R.

12/20/2011 09:34:59 PM · #14

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

I have my dad's old OM-1 kit (which I bought for him, back in the day), so we have an adaptor coming to fit those lenses on the Canons. We'll see how that works :-)

R.

Hope you get some nice results from them and you'll post a few on here when it arrives! Anything especially interesting in that collecting (on top of just using any om lens on an eos body, of course)?

A nice website giving an overview of some of olympus's old zuiko lenses:
Olympus Zuiko lenses - I use this site as a "what to watch out for on e-bay" resource as much as anything :).

12/20/2011 10:53:54 PM · #15

Got a 50 mm macro f/3.5, a 24mm f/2.8, and a 75-150 f/3.5 zoom. All in perfect shape.

Message edited by author 2011-12-20 22:54:19.

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

12/20/2011 10:56:14 PM · #16

I'm considering buying an adaptor for nikon lenses because my grandfather has a nice set of nikon lenses. I haven't decided which type to get and whether it makes sense to pay extra for AF focus confirmation...

12/20/2011 11:32:48 PM · #17

Originally posted by ozmaster:

Not really. Half the fun is going old-school, hard-core figure-it-out-your-own-self stuff.

R.

bspurgeon

Fujifilm x100

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

12/20/2011 11:54:44 PM · #18

I use a Zeiss ZF (Nikon) on my 5DmkII. $10 for a EF mount. I use it weekly. Canon's 24mm primes are either too expensive or a let down.

Robert, I'm looking forward to that 24mm f/2.8 on your 5D.

12/21/2011 08:25:03 AM · #19

Originally posted by ozmaster:

It is for the exif data :). You can get a chip for about $5 and just glue it on yourself.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

12/21/2011 11:04:36 AM · #20

Originally posted by bspurgeon:

I use a Zeiss ZF (Nikon) on my 5DmkII. $10 for a EF mount. I use it weekly. Canon's 24mm primes are either too expensive or a let down.

Robert, I'm looking forward to that 24mm f/2.8 on your 5D.

Well, kinda off-topic, but...
I do agree that Canon's lower-buck lenses in this range are disappointing. The 24/1.4, however, acquits itself *very* well against the Zeiss. 16:9 did a test of the Zeiss 25/2.8 v the Canon 24/1.4 and the results were a little eye-opening. What's more, the 24/1.4 has been updated, and the performance of the updated Canon glass probably would have been even better.
The Canon glass is almost 40% more expensive than the Zeiss, but it also has AF and is an f/1.4 lens, a full two stops faster than the Zeiss.