Old lenses: It is a shame and also a complete waste to discard film lenses. Some of us have found uses for them, especially thanks to Nikon's Df camera. What is the future for millions...

ssymeono Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

It is a shame and also a complete waste to discard film lenses. Some of us have found uses for them, especially thanks to Nikon's Df camera. What is the future for millions of these beautiful objects? How about enlarging lenses?
I recently found in one of my cabinets a Nikkor 63mm, f/2.8 in like new condition. Has anyone found a use for enlarging lenses?

agillot

get a adapter from fotodiox, then those older jewels come alive , in 100 % manual mode, except auto exposure . i use pentax lenses on nikon dlsr .the only thing is that under certain conditions you get a soft circular spot in middle of picture .only on certain zoom lenses , at f 11 and higher .

Ranjan Loc: Currently Cyber-Nation!

ssymeono wrote:

It is a shame and also a complete waste to discard film lenses. Some of us have found uses for them, especially thanks to Nikon's Df camera. What is the future for millions of these beautiful objects? How about enlarging lenses?
I recently found in one of my cabinets a Nikkor 63mm, f/2.8 in like new condition. Has anyone found a use for enlarging lenses?

Yes, and my enlarging stand too. Now it is a copy/macro stand and I am experimenting with my el-nikkor mounted face to face with coupling ring and adaptors to my regular lenses.

Anyone looking for a dichroic head...?

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

ssymeono wrote:

It is a shame and also a complete waste to discard film lenses. Some of us have found uses for them, especially thanks to Nikon's Df camera. What is the future for millions of these beautiful objects? How about enlarging lenses?
I recently found in one of my cabinets a Nikkor 63mm, f/2.8 in like new condition. Has anyone found a use for enlarging lenses?

here is a quick article on using that 63mm/2.8 lens for macro work.
http://www.savazzi.net/photography/enlargerlensespm.htm

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

I wonder if that would work with my el nikor adapted to my 7d. (Would there be an arguement between the Nikon El lens and a Canon camera)

ssymeono Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

I don't see you article!

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

ssymeono wrote:

I don't see you article!

sorry:
http://www.savazzi.net/photography/enlargerlensespm.htm

BebuLamar

I have a number of Nikkor EL enlarging lenses including 135mm f/5.6, 80mmm f/5.6 and 50mm f/2.8 as well as a Rondenstock 105mm f/5.6. I used them on the Df with Nikon PB-6 for close up. They works great. With the 135mm and the bellow I actually could focus to infinity.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

ssymeono wrote:

It is a shame and also a complete waste to discard film lenses. Some of us have found uses for them, especially thanks to Nikon's Df camera. What is the future for millions of these beautiful objects? How about enlarging lenses?

You don't necessarily need the pricey Df to mount Nikon's lenses from the film days. For example, they can be used on a number of other Nikon DSLR's, such as the D3200. Albeit without auto focus capabilities, but that's what the focus ring is there for. I use the same lenses on my D40 as I do on my Nikon FE and N90 cameras.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

ssymeono said in part: "It is a shame and also a complete waste to discard film lenses. "

Yep, sure is. Long live the Minolta AF Maxxum Lenses (1985 on) still on duty with Sony Alpha cameras and focusing well. And of course the M-42s, mine from 1972, still working as flip end in Macro/Close up, or with an adapter.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

ssymeono wrote:

It is a shame and also a complete waste to discard film lenses. Some of us have found uses for them, especially thanks to Nikon's Df camera. What is the future for millions of these beautiful objects? How about enlarging lenses?
I recently found in one of my cabinets a Nikkor 63mm, f/2.8 in like new condition. Has anyone found a use for enlarging lenses?

I still use them, as long as the physical configuration is compatible with the digital camera on which I'm using it. Some older lenses will damage the electrical contacts on the camera.

I've even adapted lenses made in the 60s for an entirely different camera to use on my Nikon D700 with quite good results. Oh, I still use them with film, too.

The only issue I've had with enlarging lenses is the mount. It's just not compatible and I don't wish to spend money machining an adapter. I do think they'd make good copy lenses. Fortunately, the adapters I have for the lenses I mentioned are being produced. So, they are affordable.
--Bob

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

ssymeono wrote:

It is a shame and also a complete waste to discard film lenses. Some of us have found uses for them, especially thanks to Nikon's Df camera. What is the future for millions of these beautiful objects? How about enlarging lenses?
I recently found in one of my cabinets a Nikkor 63mm, f/2.8 in like new condition. Has anyone found a use for enlarging lenses?

For enlarging lenses try getting the Nikon bellows with an adapter for the enlarging lenses. Good flat field and they can be used as close-up/macro lenses.
At least this is what I have done with mine on the EOS system so it should work fine for you.
It is a lot of fun as well to work with them. Enjoy.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

ssymeono wrote:

It is a shame and also a complete waste to discard film lenses. Some of us have found uses for them, especially thanks to Nikon's Df camera. What is the future for millions of these beautiful objects? How about enlarging lenses?
I recently found in one of my cabinets a Nikkor 63mm, f/2.8 in like new condition. Has anyone found a use for enlarging lenses?

I have several "film lenses" that I use often with my DX cameras. They are even more useful with FX bodies.
One of my favorites is the old 80-200 f4.5 AIS converted from 1973. In my humble opinion it is one of the sharpest lenses I own at all focal lengths and the enlargements from this lens are all full of beautiful colors and details.
I have not used enlarging lenses nor I plan to use them so I cannot make any comments.
Many of these old lenses can be bought for bargain prices in the second hand market.

Biogon44

ssymeono wrote:

It is a shame and also a complete waste to discard film lenses. Some of us have found uses for them, especially thanks to Nikon's Df camera. What is the future for millions of these beautiful objects? How about enlarging lenses?
I recently found in one of my cabinets a Nikkor 63mm, f/2.8 in like new condition. Has anyone found a use for enlarging lenses?

I have been able to use my Schneider Kreuznach 50mm and Dallmeyer 50mm enlarging lenses for general photography (focussing to infinity) on my Sony a7r camera with the following setup. I mount a Novoflex extension tube (part of Novoflex LEM/VIS II set) and a Leica M-Sony E Mount adapter with helicoid focussing ability on to my Sony a7r body. The arrangement works beautifully. The Novoflex extension set is designed to use Leica M lenses on Leica M type 240 camera body, but I use it on my Sony a7r instead. It is pricey but you can get it from a UK online dealer at 2/3rds of the USA selling price (including air shipment from England). Good luck.

WOOF Loc: Minneapolis, MN

WOOF here:

I have some vintage lenses I purchased in 1965. One is a 300mm f4.5. I have had this lens modified to work on my D800.

Of course you need to shoot in manual.

All that needs to be done is to file of a small section of the metal ring that surrounds the bayonet attachment about an inch long and 1/16 inch deep. I have attached a photo showing where.

I wold suggest you don't try this at home. If you live in MN Northwest Camera and Video repair can accommodate you. here is their web site. www.northwestcamera.com. They do business locally or by mail.

It also works with a telextender, but focusing is a bitch.

Modified Nikon Lens