How do vintage lenses work on modern cameras? (Page 3): Much of what you're thinking of does exist. There's a pretty sizeable adapter industry out there. Here's one of the companies...

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

Alphabravo2020 wrote:

I wonder if it is possible to chip the lens adapte... (show quote)

Much of what you're thinking of does exist. There's a pretty sizeable adapter industry out there. Here's one of the companies that makes "smart" adapters: https://www.fringeradapter.com

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

JD750 wrote:

There are many variables, the camera type and interface, the type of lens, vintage. You could find you can use some of the electronics features or none. If there is NO communication camera to lens, then Auto-exposure modes like aperture priority, are not going to work.

This statement is factually incorrect: then Auto-exposure modes like aperture priority, are not going to work.

If you had the equipment involved, you would know this is factually incorrect. Especially for mirrorless cameras, with the shutter set to release with no lens detected, these digital cameras work for all the various auto-exposure modes. With the camera unable to control the lens aperture, these auto-exposure modes will operate based on the settings the camera can control, but they work perfectly fine for what the camera can control.

If you really want to understand, get (a) a mirrorless camera and (b) a vintage lens and (c) the appropriate adapter, and develop the appropriate technical understanding.

petrochemist Loc: UK

Alphabravo2020 wrote:

I wonder if it is possible to chip the lens adapte... (show quote)

Yes it's possible (with some mounts at least) to pass some information.
The techart Pro can use the set aperture on the body (when a shot is taken & the camera then turned off) to program a focal length. I've actually found this feature to be a pain.
I think I've heard of other adapters being programmable via blue tooth from a phone.

Command wheel control of aperture is only possible if there is an appropriate physical or electronic connection in the adapter (and a linkage in the lens). For vintage lenses this would typically require a motor in the adapter & may need and arm to move the lenses aperture ring.
At least 50 of my old lenses have absolutely no aperture mechanism link to the camera body even when on their native body. This isn't just nothing for the adapter to operate but nothing to indicate the position of the aperture ring either.

Some of the bodies I've adapted lenses onto don't even have any contacts to read the chip from a lens/adapter. Generally I find the aperture ring a more practical control than a cameras command dial, but I admit having the camera be able to control aperture can be an advantage (especially if shutter priority is wanted).

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Rab-Eye wrote:

In the original post, my question was based on the assumption that the lens would stay wide open until the shutter was released, at which point it would stop down. I was not thinking about lenses that pre-date that kind of thing.

If the camera can't communicate to the lens, the lens aperture cannot be closed by the camera.

So the next issue becomes how 'vintage' is the lens, does it have an aperture control ring? If no, you're stuck shooting wide open, probably not very useful.

With an aperture control ring, just set the capture and focus and shoot. I have numerous examples shot primarily in shutter priority mode and AUTO-ISO. Here's one recent post of the results: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-725632-1.html

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

petrochemist wrote:

Most of the dictionaries I referred to don't put a date on 'vintage' - it basically means of an age.
Though it seems the Urban dictionary allows '1920's to approx 20 years ago'
Antiques dealers often work to at least 40 years old (over 100 is antique) but cars are only considered vintage if built before 1930 (or even 1925)...
It's a rather wooley label :)

There's probably more 'context' to the lens(es) involved than a formal definition of how old in years. I'd say any nonelectronic lens would be 'vintage' in the context of film-era lenses on digital cameras, although some of the final film-era lenses were AF capable and can communicate with digital cameras, depending sometimes on the camera brand and lens type.

BebuLamar

CHG_CANON wrote:

If the camera can't communicate to the lens, the l... (show quote)

then you have to define what is communication? Does it have to be electronics? Nikon DSLR (depending on which model) can sense how far the aperture is supposed to be stopped down from maximum and it can also stop the lens down to set aperture during exposure but it's purely mechanical on old manual focus lenses.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

BebuLamar wrote:

then you have to define what is communication? Does it have to be electronics? Nikon DSLR (depending on which model) can sense how far the aperture is supposed to be stopped down from maximum and it can also stop the lens down to set aperture during exposure but it's purely mechanical on old manual focus lenses.

Let's say if the camera can't communicate the desired aperture setting to the lens, that's vintage ...

BebuLamar

CHG_CANON wrote:

Let's say if the camera can't communicate the desired aperture setting to the lens, that's vintage ...

With Nikon SLR and DSLR except for the E type lenses which are not that many the camera closes the lens down to set aperture during exposure via mechanical coupling. So do you call that communication or not?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

BebuLamar wrote:

With Nikon SLR and DSLR except for the E type lenses which are not that many the camera closes the lens down to set aperture during exposure via mechanical coupling. So do you call that communication or not?

Doesn't seem to apply the OP's question ... If the camera is controlling the aperture, that seems rather easy to recognize as 'communication'.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

Rab-Eye wrote:

I’m asking out of curiosity, not a desire to actually use vintage lenses. From what I’ve read it is possible to shoot in aperture priority with a vintage lens. My question is how would the camera know to change the shutter speed given that there is no communication with the lens when you change your aperture?

Thanks, Ben

I have Nikons. I do it constantly.
My newest camera is a refurbed D600.
I probably have 2x 5gal buckets of lenses made before the turn of the century.
Left. I have given away probably another 5gal bucket offloading older cameras..
I grew up using manual cameras, so manual focusing and aperture is OK with me.
I've collected all (I think) my silver lenses, and I'm having fun with them.
The problem with older lenses ... is that they are older.
Dirty, hazy, dinged up, loose, dusty, scratched, peeling or even missing coatings, lube dried out, etc.
Sometimes a lesser but newer lens is better!

User ID

BebuLamar wrote:

With Nikon SLR and DSLR except for the E type lenses which are not that many the camera closes the lens down to set aperture during exposure via mechanical coupling. So do you call that communication or not?

Not.

Its a crude uncalibrated linkage. Its just a step above manual presetting rings.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

CHG_CANON wrote:

This statement is factually incorrect: then Auto-exposure modes like aperture priority, are not going to work.

If you had the equipment involved, you would know this is factually incorrect.

You are pretty sure about that are you? Not all cameras are mirrorless. Not all cameras function identically the same way.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

CHG_CANON wrote:

You do it with a mirrorless digital. Not a DSLR. b... (show quote)

__________________________(reply)
I use various non electric lenses all the time in my various digital bodies with adapters. Just make sure that without an electronic adapter, that your lens has a manual setting aperture! Then go manual with auto focus if your camera body has a lit spot telling when focus is exact and turn the lens focus yourself until you see the light spot light. You don't need mirrorless---DSLRs work fine. Some of the old lenses in today's money cost three to five thousand and are perfect lenses provided they are not zooms.-----ew Zooms have always had shortcomings.----ew

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

OP's original question referted to "modern" cameras. I assert that later model dslr s qualify. Pro and prosumer nikons perform a workaround by manually entering non cpu lens focal length & max aperture. The camera's feeler ring is aware of how many stops from wide open the lens is set at and can go on to set apropriate exposures. I have used many fine lenses from the 70s and 80s this way. Im not sure but think the Z bodies do the same thing.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Minolta AF lenses 1985 on work seamlessly with Sony AF cameras. Love my Sony A65 for that reason. I had a collection left over from my Minolta i7000.