DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Great SLR lenses to have for your DSLR?
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 15 of 15, (reverse)
AuthorThread
10/11/2009 03:29:23 AM · #1
Im interested in possibly picking up some old SLR lenses to add to my collection, mainly because of how much cheaper they seem to be, and also so i learn more about manual focus and such. What are some great SLR lenses i should look for?

and are there adaptors to use older nikon, pentax etc... slr lenses on a canon dslr?
10/11/2009 05:17:09 AM · #2
Using Nikon lenses on a Canon DSLR requires stop-down metering, meaning you have to actually stop the lens down to take a light meter reading because there's no electrical or mechanical interaction between the lens and camera. It's possible, but you have to ask yourself how much trouble you want to go through.
10/11/2009 11:26:39 AM · #3
There are lots of good, old manual lenses out there. Here's a good place to go to read about what types of lenses may be mounted on EOS bodies. This is basically a list of adapters, but there is some additional information that should be useful.
One mount that has quite a few useful lenses is M42, Nikon F is another. There are some "gotchas" with a few of these lenses and FF EOS bodies, but with APS-C bodies (smaller mirror) there is usually no problem.
Basically what you have to do is start poking around online, reading about the reputation of certain lenses, and what to watch for in versions, condition, etc., then start looking for a good, clean copy of the lens or lenses you are interested in.
One specific lens you might start with doing research on is the Pentax "Takumar" 50mm. There are several versions, with either f/1.4 or f/1.7 max. aperture, and you will find a lot of information out there on the lens. A nice copy of one of these is a great introduction to MF lenses.
Another "classic" is the Zeiss 75/1.5 Biotar. It is a fabulous portrait lens, but the prices have been driven up by collectors due to the reputation. My copy (in M42 mount) came from Eastern Europe.
As far as actual use, most usually you just set the desired aperture and focus at that aperture. You don't normally try to focus wide open and then stop down. The EOS bodies will meter correctly in Av mode although the camera will display 00 for aperture value, or you can just shoot in M, and again metering indication in the viewfinder will be correct.
10/11/2009 12:02:30 PM · #4
With a simple adapter ring, no glass, the Nikon lenses will not be able to focus to infinity because the ring sets the lens away from the sensor a bit. They do make adapters with a lens element in them that correct this.
I would recommend the Micro Nikkor 55mm f3.5 for a great lens that is inexpensive and very good for macro work.
Bjorn Rorslett maintains a great website that has excellent evaluations of the older Nikkor lenses as to their quality for shooting with the newer digital cams. Here's the link to the lens ev page. Be sure to read the intro.
Rjorn Rorslett, Lens Evaluations
I have benefitted greatly from his advice in my lens shopping on eBay. I have noticed that his evaluations are right on target, and correlate very closely with the prices of the used lenses, when you take into account the number of each model that were produced and are still out there.
I have noticed that the prices have about doubled in the last 3 years, since people discovered that they will fit on the newer digital Nikons and Fuji's.
10/11/2009 12:12:24 PM · #5
Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

With a simple adapter ring, no glass, the Nikon lenses will not be able to focus to infinity because the ring sets the lens away from the sensor a bit. They do make adapters with a lens element in them that correct this.


Not so. I've used the Nikon 200/2.0 on my old 10D with wonderful results. The register distance of the Nikon F system is 46.5mm, compared to the EOS register distance of 44.0mm. That leaves 2.5mm for an adapter. The bayonet flange diameter on the F mount is also much smaller, allowing it to nest inside the EOS mount.

Message edited by author 2009-10-11 12:13:07.
10/11/2009 12:27:03 PM · #6
Bummer, now all the Canon people will also be running the market value of the old Nikkors up too : P LOL. Probably my fav Nikkor manual lens so far is the 85 f1.8 HC.
10/11/2009 12:34:02 PM · #7
Yeah, I was gonna say what Kirbic just said: Nikon-to-Canon is simple, cheap little adaptor is all you need. Canon-to-Nikon, on the other hand, is a right royal pain.

R.
10/11/2009 01:25:02 PM · #8
This is all great info guys! Keep em coming. Are there any old canon lenses that wont work?

edit: Id also like some more lens suggestions, i think the adapter thing has been answered.

Message edited by author 2009-10-11 13:25:46.
10/11/2009 01:47:20 PM · #9
These are all F mount lenses and I have had no trouble with them on my D70 and D300.

Nikkor-P MF 105mm AI f2.5
Nikkor MF 35mm AI f2.8
Nikkor MF 24mm AI f2.8

There three I always have with me. The 105mm is my favorite all time lens and when I want the shot, this is the lens I always end up putting on my D300...

10/11/2009 02:25:06 PM · #10
If you are going to be able to use the "Non Ai" Nikkor's with your adapter ring, then be sure to check out the 135mm f2.8. They go for under $50 US sometimes. The last one that I got was $25, and it is a fine lens. You can also search eBay for the different types of mounts in the "Lenses and Filters" section of the camera stuff. Look for something like "For Nikon" or "Nikon Mount" there. You will find that there are a lot of lenses that go for very little money because they are not "Nikon" .
If you are going with an adapter and shooting manual anyway, you may as well get a couple of the manual extension rings to go with your new lenses for macro shooting. It's easy to get shots of small critters with something like a 180mm + 27mm ext ring because you can shoot from a couple of ft away. A wide lens like a 24 with a 11 mm ext ring can get you right in close too, with a close in perspective.
Vivitar made a "2X Macro Focusing Teleconverter" that is a lot of fun to use too. With that and a 15mm fisheye, the subject can be focused even if it is touching the front element of the lens. They also allow you to focus to infinity, which you can't do if you are shooting with an ext tube.

10/11/2009 06:49:23 PM · #11
Originally posted by kawana:

Im interested in possibly picking up some old SLR lenses to add to my collection, mainly because of how much cheaper they seem to be, and also so i learn more about manual focus and such. What are some great SLR lenses i should look for?

and are there adaptors to use older nikon, pentax etc... slr lenses on a canon dslr?


if you are interested in m42 then do not miss takumar 55mm f1.8. Wondeful lense, very sharp.

here are few from this lense on my flickr

//farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/3740772300_19ab1803e6_o.jpg

//farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3737647076_36512bc807_o.jpg

//farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/3737647066_1178182ed4_o.jpg

//farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3737647016_d1b7d7ce84_o.jpg

10/11/2009 07:15:09 PM · #12
Originally posted by zxaar:

Originally posted by kawana:

Im interested in possibly picking up some old SLR lenses to add to my collection, mainly because of how much cheaper they seem to be, and also so i learn more about manual focus and such. What are some great SLR lenses i should look for?

and are there adaptors to use older nikon, pentax etc... slr lenses on a canon dslr?


if you are interested in m42 then do not miss takumar 55mm f1.8. Wondeful lense, very sharp.

here are few from this lense on my flickr

//farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/3740772300_19ab1803e6_o.jpg

//farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3737647076_36512bc807_o.jpg

//farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/3737647066_1178182ed4_o.jpg

//farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3737647016_d1b7d7ce84_o.jpg


Does this lens fit on a Canon 40D?

Message edited by author 2009-10-11 19:16:04.
10/11/2009 10:21:20 PM · #13
any suggestions for a wide angle lens?
10/12/2009 06:31:42 PM · #14
Originally posted by AJHopp:

Originally posted by zxaar:

Originally posted by kawana:

Im interested in possibly picking up some old SLR lenses to add to my collection, mainly because of how much cheaper they seem to be, and also so i learn more about manual focus and such. What are some great SLR lenses i should look for?

and are there adaptors to use older nikon, pentax etc... slr lenses on a canon dslr?


if you are interested in m42 then do not miss takumar 55mm f1.8. Wondeful lense, very sharp.

here are few from this lense on my flickr

//farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/3740772300_19ab1803e6_o.jpg

//farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3737647076_36512bc807_o.jpg

//farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/3737647066_1178182ed4_o.jpg

//farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3737647016_d1b7d7ce84_o.jpg


Does this lens fit on a Canon 40D?


i think m42 mount adapter are available for all brands. Many canon shooters use takumar lenses.
10/12/2009 06:54:07 PM · #15
The Tamron SP MF 90mm f/2.5 is superb for macro. And MF doesn't matter as much for macro shots.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 12:17:10 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 12:17:10 PM EDT.