Legacy glass on the latest greatest cameras
Apr 7, 2018 00:18:52 #
19104
Loc: Philadelphia
Lately I have been seeing that a lot of folks feel that you can only take advantage of the latest greatest sensors if you are using only the newest glass. Now while I understand this hype from the camera manufacturers and retailers. So here's my question. I want to hear from anybody who is using old glass on current and almost current digital cameras. I shoot with a Nikon D800E. I use a tamron adaptal 300 f 2.8, medical nikkor 200mm. And i constantly looking for legacy glass to play with. and I am very happy wiht the results from these old the lens that I own. Oh and so there is not confusion I also own the 14 -24, 24-70 and 70 - 200 f 2.8, 85 F1.4 and 50 f 1.8 Nikkors.
So let the discussion begin.
John
So let the discussion begin.
John
Apr 7, 2018 00:36:37 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
19104 wrote:
Lately I have been seeing that a lot of folks feel... (show quote)
I have Leica R lenses from 21 to 560mm, Ai & AiS Micro-Nikkors and 4 Novoflex lenses from 200 to 400mm, all of which are very usable on my Df.
Apr 7, 2018 02:39:24 #
LWW
Loc: Banana Republic of America
People who are terrified to stop using AUTO will never understand the desire to use manual focus ... and will continue to pay $1,000 plus for a pllastic lens when a $100 better built alternative awaits.
Apr 7, 2018 02:43:35 #
Pablo8
Loc: Nottingham UK.
RWR wrote:
I have Leica R lenses from 21 to 560mm, Ai & AiS Micro-Nikkors and 4 Novoflex lenses from 200 to 400mm, all of which are very usable on my Df.
I have, and still use, a number of prime manual Nikon lenses. Also have the 280...400...and 640 Novoflex follow-focus lenses with pistol grip. Made good use of the long lenses for Golf and Cricket action for the newspapers.
Apr 7, 2018 04:16:10 #
I use old lenses which I purchased in Germany while serving with the forces.
They work well with my film and digital Leica bodies fine.
The M series lens mount are a continuous so will fit both.
The same can be said of Pentax K mount lenses of which I have some very old K mount lenses,
which again fit film and digital bodies and with lens adapters I can use Leica lenses on the Pentax and vice-versa.
They work well with my film and digital Leica bodies fine.
The M series lens mount are a continuous so will fit both.
The same can be said of Pentax K mount lenses of which I have some very old K mount lenses,
which again fit film and digital bodies and with lens adapters I can use Leica lenses on the Pentax and vice-versa.
Apr 7, 2018 04:37:25 #
19104 wrote:
Lately I have been seeing that a lot of folks feel... (show quote)
Its mostly hype. Some lenses are better than others and the same can be said for sensors but the things that go into image quality go beyond the camera. The Iconic images of past masters were all taken with lenses that pale when compared to modern ones.
I shoot with the D850 and none of my lenses are on Nikon's recommended list but I am happy with all of them.
Apr 7, 2018 07:22:53 #
19104 wrote:
Lately I have been seeing that a lot of folks feel... (show quote)
Every lens has unique characteritics. Modern computer based design and manucturing combined with new materials can achieve results that were much harder to do decades ago.
Older lenses are simply different. They create different effects, and those can desirable, especially for artistc effects.
I like manual focus lenses for some things. My main camera, a Canon 80D has a pretty up to date sensor, but I have several vintage lenses that I use from time to time: a Helios 44 58mm f/2, Canon FL 55mm f/1.2 and more.
With focus confirmation they're easy and enjoyable to use, but they're not a cheap replacement for modern glass. They all have a place.
Apr 7, 2018 08:06:43 #
19104 wrote:
Lately I have been seeing that a lot of folks feel... (show quote)
In my opinion autofocus lenses have advantages in action photography. But in studio work, landscape photography, product photography and such the autofocus usually comes with more trouble than advantages. Another thing I have experienced is that manual focus lenses are much easier to use with some mirrorless cameras than with dslr. I have crop and full frame Nikon cameras and a full frame Sony E mount and it did not take me long time to figure out to use my manual focus lenses on the Sony and use Nikon with autofocus lenses. That being said, I use the Sony more than the others cameras combined. With a good mirrorless camera using manual focus lenses is even easier, faster and more accurate than with a split screen film camera back in the film days. I do not mind much using old glass as I am more interested in taking good pictures than just sharp overall pictures at f/8 all the time.
Apr 7, 2018 08:11:01 #
I have a D810 now and had a D700. I have a number of AI-s lenses and have been very happy. One observation that I can share is that my first 300mm prime was the MF AI-s version. I bought it for $225 and used it for 2 years and sold for $200. I replaced it with a pre-owned AFS version but before selling it, i took test shots with both lenses. The only difference was that the colour saturation and contrast was better on the newer lens with more advanced coatings. However, in PP these issues can be resolved easily. The reason I traded up was so that I could use the 300mm with a TC17EII.
Apr 7, 2018 11:41:40 #
Being a legacy collector this thread caught my attention so I grabbed an old Pentax Takumar 50mm f/1.4 M42 lens and stuck it on my Canon 5DMkIV and proceeded to chase the dog around the house. Below is the result when I finally caught up to him. I purposely set a manual white balance to give the image a little of that old radio active decay look. Thorium Dioxide was used in many of these older lenses.
This shot was wide open at 1.4, I would put this lens up against Canon's EF 50mm f/1.4 any day of the week. I have several other excellent performing legacy lenses also. If you read and study the legacy lenses you can build a fine arsenal of high performing lenses.
This shot was wide open at 1.4, I would put this lens up against Canon's EF 50mm f/1.4 any day of the week. I have several other excellent performing legacy lenses also. If you read and study the legacy lenses you can build a fine arsenal of high performing lenses.
Apr 8, 2018 05:31:29 #
Of Course! Minolta 1985+ Alpha Sony. Also M42 pentax screw lenses with lens adapter for sony... All good glass and the "cast iron" weight of the lenses help stabilize the camera 
Apr 8, 2018 06:56:55 #
19104 wrote:
Lately I have been seeing that a lot of folks feel... (show quote)
I also have seen comments that only the latest glass is worth using.
It is true that it is wonderful and tack sharp if you get the better modern glass.
But I really like to use old glass from bygone eras on my digital camera.
It is fun for one thing and gives a different look and feel as well from some old glass.
In fact my go to macro when around the house is a FLM 100mm f4. just gives a look and feel my 100mm L macro lacks. My wife feels the same and prefers to use it. The nice thing is we get TTL metering with the camera in manual and auto as well.
So yes, use that old glass and have lots of fun doing so.
Apr 8, 2018 08:04:27 #
Blurryeyed wrote:
Being a legacy collector this thread caught my att... (show quote)
I have a Pentax-K SMC 50mm f/1.4 on the way. Curious to see how well it'll do. I have a couple of Canon FD lenses, but using them with a Fotodiox adapter with cheap glass yields less-than-desirable results. I'm looking forward to playing with the 50/1.4 soon!
Apr 8, 2018 08:13:47 #
Being able to use the old film lenses from my K-1000 was one of the primary reasons I switched to a Pentax body when I upgraded recently. While there is certainly a time and a place for auto-focus, I don't see manual focus as a big problem when I have time to compose the shots and so far the results using these old lenses have been very satisfying.
Apr 8, 2018 08:21:43 #
Shoeless_Photographer wrote:
I have a Pentax-K SMC 50mm f/1.4 on the way. Curious to see how well it'll do. I have a couple of Canon FD lenses, but using them with a Fotodiox adapter with cheap glass yields less-than-desirable results. I'm looking forward to playing with the 50/1.4 soon!
Yes, I have that lens as well, once you get the focus down the lens will perform as well if not better than Canon's current offerings. I had the f/1.2 version of that lens but it was so pristine and came with original box and paper work that I could not bear to cut the aperture release lever off so that I could use it on my full frame Canon. I ended up selling it to another collector who was thrilled to get it. I am getting ready sell about 20 to 30 of these old vintage lenses...
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