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Digital Photography with Vintage Manual Lenses
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Feb 16, 2019 18:51:25   #
TexRedNk
 
Hello Members: Back in the mid 1960s, I was working in the Los Angeles area. I spent week ends scouring the local camera shops in the LA basin . That was a time when everyone was scrambling to replace their rangefinder cameras with SLRs. So being a new collector, I started buying trade in cameras and lenses from the German Leica system. At the end of the 1970s, I had one F series body and three M-series cameras. I also have at least one Leica lens from 21 mm super wide angle to the 400 mm telephoto lens. Also the Visoflex add on that permitted thru the lens photography. Also the Bellows system that allows macro photography.
With the advent of digital cameras and "point and shoot" cameras, I ceased to use this Leica equipment because of the expense of film and development. Leica introduced the M-10 camera, but is far beyond my budget as a hobbyist .
Now I am in search of a digital camera to which I can mount these vintage lenses. I want to set the camera in a manual mode and be able to set the shutter speed and the ISO. Then using a light meter, set my lenses the same way I would using in a film camera. I have tried using a "M series to Nikon" adapter to mount a M series lens to a Nikon J1 body. Because the cell is only 0.7 the size of a 35 mm frame, I get a much larger image than I would on a Leica body. So a 35 mm lens now performs like a 50 mm lens.
To my disappointment I have not found a way to set the shutter speed in the manual mode on the Nikon J1. I am considering another make of camera that (with the proper M series to ???? body) allow me to use my vintage Leica lens.
One might ask why would I want to use manual lenses on an automatic digital body ? I am from the old school and know that these German lenses can still capture some brilliant images as they did with film.
Any suggestions will be greatly welcomed. Sincerely, Doug

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Feb 16, 2019 19:03:45   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
TexRedNk wrote:
Hello Members: Back in the mid 1960s, I was working in the Los Angeles area. I spent week ends scouring the local camera shops in the LA basin . That was a time when everyone was scrambling to replace their rangefinder cameras with SLRs. So being a new collector, I started buying trade in cameras and lenses from the German Leica system. At the end of the 1970s, I had one F series body and three M-series cameras. I also have at least one Leica lens from 21 mm super wide angle to the 400 mm telephoto lens. Also the Visoflex add on that permitted thru the lens photography. Also the Bellows system that allows macro photography.
With the advent of digital cameras and "point and shoot" cameras, I ceased to use this Leica equipment because of the expense of film and development. Leica introduced the M-10 camera, but is far beyond my budget as a hobbyist .
Now I am in search of a digital camera to which I can mount these vintage lenses. I want to set the camera in a manual mode and be able to set the shutter speed and the ISO. Then using a light meter, set my lenses the same way I would using in a film camera. I have tried using a "M series to Nikon" adapter to mount a M series lens to a Nikon J1 body. Because the cell is only 0.7 the size of a 35 mm frame, I get a much larger image than I would on a Leica body. So a 35 mm lens now performs like a 50 mm lens.
To my disappointment I have not found a way to set the shutter speed in the manual mode on the Nikon J1. I am considering another make of camera that (with the proper M series to ???? body) allow me to use my vintage Leica lens.
One might ask why would I want to use manual lenses on an automatic digital body ? I am from the old school and know that these German lenses can still capture some brilliant images as they did with film.
Any suggestions will be greatly welcomed. Sincerely, Doug
Hello Members: Back in the mid 1960s, I was workin... (show quote)


Here you go.
For M Mount.
https://www.adorama.com/kalaeosrlcm.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAhp_jBRAxEiwAXbniXafYj_HupaaEdSKB1V8A6Btyys_xc53WKIMu__P0p5L-maWLxG6ZOBoCSCgQAvD_BwE

https://www.adorama.com/nveosrlem.html

If you happen to have M39 as well.
https://www.kentfaith.com/KF06.387_m39-lenses-to-canon-eos-r-mount-camera-adapter

https://www.adorama.com/nveosrlei.html

They will work beautifully on the Canon R cameras.
If you would like a smaller body you can also get adapters from these manufacturers for the Canon M series cameras.

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Feb 16, 2019 19:11:11   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
TexRedNk wrote:
Hello Members: Back in the mid 1960s, I was working in the Los Angeles area. I spent week ends scouring the local camera shops in the LA basin . That was a time when everyone was scrambling to replace their rangefinder cameras with SLRs. So being a new collector, I started buying trade in cameras and lenses from the German Leica system. At the end of the 1970s, I had one F series body and three M-series cameras. I also have at least one Leica lens from 21 mm super wide angle to the 400 mm telephoto lens. Also the Visoflex add on that permitted thru the lens photography. Also the Bellows system that allows macro photography.
With the advent of digital cameras and "point and shoot" cameras, I ceased to use this Leica equipment because of the expense of film and development. Leica introduced the M-10 camera, but is far beyond my budget as a hobbyist .
Now I am in search of a digital camera to which I can mount these vintage lenses. I want to set the camera in a manual mode and be able to set the shutter speed and the ISO. Then using a light meter, set my lenses the same way I would using in a film camera. I have tried using a "M series to Nikon" adapter to mount a M series lens to a Nikon J1 body. Because the cell is only 0.7 the size of a 35 mm frame, I get a much larger image than I would on a Leica body. So a 35 mm lens now performs like a 50 mm lens.
To my disappointment I have not found a way to set the shutter speed in the manual mode on the Nikon J1. I am considering another make of camera that (with the proper M series to ???? body) allow me to use my vintage Leica lens.
One might ask why would I want to use manual lenses on an automatic digital body ? I am from the old school and know that these German lenses can still capture some brilliant images as they did with film.
Any suggestions will be greatly welcomed. Sincerely, Doug
Hello Members: Back in the mid 1960s, I was workin... (show quote)


M lenses can be adapted quite nicely to Panasonic and Olympus Micro 4/3 cameras, using an adapter made for that purpose.

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Feb 16, 2019 19:26:51   #
TexRedNk
 
Thanks for your fast reply. My quest is for what make cameras might fill my needs. I do have or can find the adapters. I will look at the two brands you mentioned. Regards, Doug

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Feb 16, 2019 22:13:31   #
ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or
 
There are many reasonably priced adapters to fit Sony A7 or a6000 series cameras. The a7 series is full frame and will be the same as your old Leica M series. The a6000 series will be APS-C size and a 35mm will act like a 50mm. The lenses will operate on the Sony cameras just like your old Leicas. I have adapters and use old Minolta MD and MC lenses, Zeiss (Exacta) lenses, Rollie Lenses as well as other 50's-60's vintage lenses. If you chose the a7R series you get 42MP. The a7 series is 24MP and the a7S series is designed for low light. If you get the a7 in ii or iii series you get something you couldn't get in your old Leicas. You get image stabilization. You seem to be a Nikon guy but you may find that the Sony system will give you the best performance from you Leica lenses. The most reasonable camera would be the Sony a7iii, Full Frame, 24MP, the newest technology and full image stabilization with your leica lenses. Happy shooting

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Feb 17, 2019 17:12:33   #
TomV Loc: Annapolis, Maryland
 
I wonder how well these old lenses hold up for purple fringe issues on the digital sensors.

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Feb 17, 2019 18:22:09   #
BebuLamar
 
You can possibly mount the Leica M lenses on the Nikon Z cameras but I don't think they make adapter yet.

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Feb 17, 2019 18:35:16   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
BebuLamar wrote:
You can possibly mount the Leica M lenses on the Nikon Z cameras but I don't think they make adapter yet.


They do for Canon R so I would imagine Fotodiox and Kippon et al do for Nikon as well.

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Feb 17, 2019 19:48:53   #
ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or
 
Purple fringe is no more of a problem than it was with film.

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Feb 17, 2019 20:07:27   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
ORpilot wrote:
Purple fringe is no more of a problem than it was with film.


In fact, it’s less of one. There are software correction tools for that.

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Feb 17, 2019 22:25:28   #
ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or
 
burkphoto wrote:
In fact, it’s less of one. There are software correction tools for that.


So true,,, the wonders of electrons.

Reply
 
 
Feb 18, 2019 01:31:36   #
User ID
 
TexRedNk wrote:
Thanks for your fast reply.
My quest is for what make cameras might fill
my needs.
I do have or can find the adapters.
I will look at the two brands you mentioned.
Regards, Doug


As you mention, finding adapters is a no brainer.
Perhaps thaz why all your replies focus on telling
you where to find them ?

As to a camera for your needs, if your needs are
quite varied, and you want your 21mm to still be
a really wide angle lens, then the camera must
be the same format size as an M-Leica, and that
points to basically 4 lines:

Canon "R"
Leica "M"
Nikon "Z"
Sony "a7xx"

Operationally, all can fill your needs pretty much
the same as your old Leica film cameras did but
Sony offers the least expensive in the original a7
basic version, which is at very low close-out price
due to "Mk-II" and "Mk-III" versions now already
on the market. Even the "Mk-II" is on close-out.

Canon has a new "P" model in the "R" line as a
low priced model.

Nikon has not yet mentioned a low priced model
and acoarst you already ruled out Leica "M" :-(

All of these will meter with your old lenses.

Not knowing your actual needs, I can only point
out that you've been using a Nikon J body which
greatly narrows the angle of your lenses. If that
has been useful to you, then you might consider
m4/3 cameras from Panasonic or Olympus. The
21mm will be a normal with m4/3, whereas it's
been a very mild tele on the Nikon J.

Again, all these cameras are operationally very
similar. Some are styled like SLRs and have the
eyepiece near the middle. Others are styled like
RF bodies with the eyepiece on the corner. That
is about the biggest difference among them. All
are full time live view ... no SLRs. You can't use
old RF lenses on SLRs.

.

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Feb 18, 2019 03:29:15   #
Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.
 
I have used a number of 39mm screw mount Leitz lenses, with an adapter on a Sony 5000a body. I know it is not FF body but the combination works well. Attached is an example using the 90mm f/4 Elmar.

Cupola Tower at Calke Abbey NT.
Cupola Tower at Calke Abbey NT....
(Download)

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Feb 19, 2019 03:25:09   #
Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.
 
The Elmar lens on my earlier post, was from the 1950's, is that 'vintage' enough?

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Feb 19, 2019 04:47:08   #
Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI
 
Find your lens here and see what other m4/3 users have done by adapting it to their cameras:
https://www.mu-43.com/forums/adapted-lens-sample-image-showcase.81/page-11?order=title

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