That 70's Lens
Aug 18, 2020 11:21:10 #
radiojohn wrote:
I does appear to get the maximum effect from these 35mm era lenses, you need a so-called full frame camera. That leaves me out until I find a used one that is too "old" because it is "only" 12 MP.
Not necessarily so. With a DX sensor, you're cropping the edges by design, and usually getting the sweet spot of the lens. A lens designed for 24x36mm film should do well on a camera which gets an images of about 24x16 right from the center.
FWIW, I used to own a Nikkor 24-80mm f/2.8-f/4. On my D500, it worked very well, but on my D750, not so much. Even stopped down it wasn't a great performer on the D750.
Aug 18, 2020 11:35:11 #
radiojohn wrote:
I does appear to get the maximum effect from these 35mm era lenses, you need a so-called full frame camera. That leaves me out until I find a used one that is too "old" because it is "only" 12 MP.
You realize, of course, the first full frame DSLRs were around 11MP? Such as the 2002 EOS 1Ds. Pixel resolution is not a function of full vs cropped format.
Rather than sensor format, the question is adaptability of the legacy lens mount to something digital. The shorter flange distance of mirrorless bodies allow simple metal 'donuts' to mount the lens to the proper flange distance from the sensor. The donuts do not have to communicate anything to the lens nor the lens to the camera. This differs from many of the DSLR adapters that contain glass that changes the optics of the lens or try to communicate focus confirmation to the camera.
And of course, many of the mirrorless options are full-frame too ...
Aug 18, 2020 12:02:36 #
radiojohn wrote:
I does appear to get the maximum effect from these 35mm era lenses, you need a so-called full frame camera. That leaves me out until I find a used one that is too "old" because it is "only" 12 MP.
In concept you are right. Full frame is best for the purpose and 12 - 16MP represents the older more affordable stuff. BUT !! Unfortunately, all those old 12 - 16MP FF cameras are SLRs.
Regardless of various users’ personal preference between SLR and LiveView cameras, all agree that for adapting old lenses the shallow flange depth of the LV cameras is the key.
The oldest FF LV cameras are Sonys and they have always had no less than 24MP, which means they’ve held onto more $$ value than older SLRs that may be bought pretty cheaply due to much fewer MPs.
Aug 18, 2020 12:06:11 #
I tried a voigtlander 45mm 1.8 on a Fuji. If my eyes would be good enough I would keep it. I love the old Germany quality. I believe that I would use this lens vs a today 85mm......Lenses was built before WW II...
Aug 18, 2020 12:38:37 #
therwol wrote:
For what it's worth, my non-AI 55mm f/1.2 from 196... (show quote)
Hi there,
You can use that lens unmodified on a Nikon DF and also on most, if not all, mirrorless bodies.
Good luck.
Aug 18, 2020 12:39:25 #
Dust off the FTn. I have passed mine down to my Grandson. Had to buy him another 50mm 1.4. Using mine on an F2. And if I want to I can use it on my Df or F4.
Aug 18, 2020 13:15:33 #
Aug 18, 2020 13:33:24 #
I went through this exercise, buying a "chip" adapter to put a couple 1970 Nikon lenses onto my Canon XSi. Yes, I did get a bit more bokeh with the 50 mm f/1.4, but they were a pain to use and the results weren't noticeably better or even equal to the Canon's kit lenses. Wasted effort.
Aug 18, 2020 13:39:33 #
stu352 wrote:
I went through this exercise, buying a "chip" adapter to put a couple 1970 Nikon lenses onto my Canon XSi. Yes, I did get a bit more bokeh with the 50 mm f/1.4, but they were a pain to use and the results weren't noticeably better or even equal to the Canon's kit lenses. Wasted effort.
Just imagine if you'd tried it on a mirrorless instead ....
Aug 18, 2020 17:22:11 #
machia wrote:
My Rokkor 58mm f1.4 has a creamy bokeh that I love. I’ve created stunning shots with it since 1972. Sharpness?
It’s sharp enough. If I need tack sharp photos I break out my L lenses. My bag of 19 lenses gives me all the tools I need for every look that I’m hunting for.
It’s sharp enough. If I need tack sharp photos I break out my L lenses. My bag of 19 lenses gives me all the tools I need for every look that I’m hunting for.
I found the modern digital lenses do render better IQ sharpness when wide open than my legacy Leica lenses of 60s and 70s at wide open. When stop down by 2 steps, they become the same. Bokeh is a different issue, there is the factor of subjective judgement and taste.
Aug 18, 2020 18:11:04 #
I have wondered if in the age of digital photography do the lens designers give a little in distortion to get sharper lenses? With auto distortion correction in the camera or on a computer it seems like a logical trade off.
Aug 18, 2020 18:33:44 #
User ID wrote:
.....................
The oldest FF LV cameras are Sonys and they have always had no less than 24MP, which means they’ve held onto more $$ value than older SLRs that may be bought pretty cheaply due to much fewer MPs.
The oldest FF LV cameras are Sonys and they have always had no less than 24MP, which means they’ve held onto more $$ value than older SLRs that may be bought pretty cheaply due to much fewer MPs.
Correction:
There actually ARE older 12MP Sony FF LV cameras, the a7S and a7S Mk2.
However those are not “older, so cheaper, 12MP” opportunities. The a7S series is an expensive specialized series costing MORE than the 24MP basic non”S” versions of the a7XXX blood line.
The newly launched current “S” version is still 12MP, and is about $3500. This leads to high prices for the earlier generations of the “S” series.
Aug 18, 2020 19:26:35 #
I'm a professional landscape photographer with lots of old and new lenses. I photographed with view cameras for over 25 years before going digital. I still prefer to open and close lens apertures manually. My main shooting kit holds three old surprises. A 28mm Pentax F2.8, 55mm Pentax Takumar F1.8, both of these have tilt adapters and a superb 80-200 Nikkor F4.5.
Aug 18, 2020 20:10:42 #
radiojohn wrote:
I cannot help but notice the intense interest in "fast" (f/1.4 or 1.2) 58mm lenses in all mounts. They are being scooped up at $100+ each and put on digital mirrorless via adapter. Manual focus, manual aperture of course.
But raves about bokeh.
Also certain 28mm lenses and some 100mm-105mm as well. Some old German ones, even east German.
Thoughts?
But raves about bokeh.
Also certain 28mm lenses and some 100mm-105mm as well. Some old German ones, even east German.
Thoughts?
So I have some of those old fast lenses, and I find them extremely valuable artistic tools. I have an 50mm f0.95, three 50-55mm f1.2s, a bunch of 50mm f1.4-1.5s, an old X-ray Canon lens which is 100mm f1.5, and even an old Angenieux projector lens with is 100mm f1.2, not to mention a Dallmeyer 204mm f2.0 large format lens. None are as sharp as modern lenses, but the results using them in certain situations gives a result very different from modern lenses. For general shooting, as I have said, modern lenses are better, but these lenses have character. It should also be noted that there are deconvolution software solutions that will dramatically increase the perceived sharpness of old lenses. Here are some shots to give you an idea.
Canon LTM 50mm f1.2
(Download)
Canon 50mm f0.95
(Download)
Canon XI 100mm f1.5
(Download)
Cosina 55mm f1.2
(Download)
(Download)
STL Elgeet 86mm f1.2 (lens made for TRW Space Technology Laboratories)
(Download)
Elgeet Cine Navitar 2 inch f1.5
(Download)
Aires Coral 4.5cm f1.5
(Download)
Angenieux AX Type 86 100mm f1.2
(Download)
(Download)
Aug 18, 2020 21:22:36 #
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