Using old (not auto focus) lenses on my XT

[ushered_in]

Does everyone think I'm dumb for wanting to buy an m42 (pentax screw) and/or a contax adapter and lenses for my XT, rather than buying EF lenses? I totally realize all of the downsides to using old manual lenses on my camera, like the fact that I won't have auto-focus, I'll have to stop-down, and to make it really effective I'll probably have to replace the mirror in my XT to give me a split circle focus.

But I just freakin' love how accurate and solid older lenses feel. Not just that, but I can buy an m42 mount and a beautiful Ziess lens for less than $200 and take better photos than any $200 EF lens can... at least I think so...

Let me know what you guys think about this topic, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who loves old camera's, but also likes being able to load their pics into Pshop and have at 'er... I'm just trying to get what I think is the best of both worlds!!

[willg]

theres a few of us around here that really like them. I have 2, my favorite being the super multi coated takumar 135mm f/3.5 it takes beautiful pictures especially stopped down to f/8 its as sharp as any canon lens I have used

[puttick]

If you understand and can accept the downsides, go for it. An excellent lens is an excellent lens. The EOS bodies, as they are a little thinner than others, can use almost any manual lenses. Be aware that not all older lenses are as well-coated (and so are less flare resistant) compared to current lenses. For me, the biggest issue is the viewfinder. I cannot focus manually anywhere near as well on my 350d as I could on my Olympus OM bodies. Interestingly, the Nikon D200 claims to give focus confirmation (using its AF points) with manual lenses, whereas the EOS system currently does not.

[mbze430]

Do it. If you are used to the old stop down method, than you will not have a problem using old lens. I also own a few non-canon primes. Much better than the Canon L primes I have, that's for sure.

[ushered_in]

Puttick, in searching around the internet, there is a way to get better focus through a manual lens... maybe this is already common knowledge and just frowned upon, but I found a 'hacker' if you can can him that, that takes another camera's mirror and retrofits it to fit into the 350D body, giving you a split circle focus... you do loose the Auto focus red squares though. search 'Hoada Fu' on google

And I'm in complete agreement with you mbze, I love prime lenses... I have yet to use a zoom lens (although I've only use 5-6) that takes as good a picture as some of the old konica primes my dad's camera had.

[Choderboy]

Does everyone think I'm dumb for wanting to buy an m42 (pentax screw) and/or a contax adapter and lenses for my XT, rather than buying EF lenses? I totally realize all of the downsides to using old manual lenses on my camera, like the fact that I won't have auto-focus, I'll have to stop-down, and to make it really effective I'll probably have to replace the mirror in my XT to give me a split circle focus.

But I just freakin' love how accurate and solid older lenses feel. Not just that, but I can buy an m42 mount and a beautiful Ziess lens for less than $200 and take better photos than any $200 EF lens can... at least I think so...

Let me know what you guys think about this topic, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who loves old camera's, but also likes being able to load their pics into Pshop and have at 'er... I'm just trying to get what I think is the best of both worlds!!

No. I think it indicates that you are capable making logical decisions for yourself, and see through the marketing hype.
I have a few old Pentax K primes. They are superb lenses. You should be able to get a 50 1.4 Pentax screw fairly cheap , one of their best. And you have many other choices.
It's a wonder condyk has not posted in this thread - sure he will. Check his sig...
And you can fit a manual focus screen as allready stated - Katzeye / Haouda

[Ross McT.]

And I'm in complete agreement with you mbze, I love prime lenses... I have yet to use a zoom lens (although I've only use 5-6) that takes as good a picture as some of the old konica primes my dad's camera had.

I totally agree with you. I have a lot of konica bodies and lenses, and am quite miffed that i can not mount the lenses on the EOS body

In case your interested, the Canon uses a 44.0mm distance from lens mount to sensor, while the old Konica uses a 40.7mm distance.
Therefore the konica lens would have to be mounted inside the canon body :(

The Hexanon 50 1.4 puts Canon lenses to shame!!

[ushered_in]

Yeah, I believe my pops has a hexanon 28mm that he absolutely loves.

[DocFrankenstein]

Yes... yes...

Totally dumb...

*runs off to fight off 21mm biogon in a bidding war*

[Andy_T]

I agree with you ... apart from changing the mirror.

It's the focusing screen that's replaced.
Take a look here: Haoda focusing screen (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=100761&highlight=focusing+screen)
There are also others available (you'll read that in the thread), but it's the cheapest and works fine on my 20D.

Look here for Buze's Manual Focus forum: http://oomz.net/mf/
And here's a good thread on the general issue with links:
Using FD and other manual focusing lenses on EOS (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=57023)

Best regards,
Andy

[hmv]

Does everyone think I'm dumb for wanting to buy an m42 (pentax screw) and/or a contax adapter and lenses for my XT, rather than buying EF lenses?!

No!

Apart from the advantages that others have pointed out (that some manual lenses have a very good price/performance ratio), there's something else. It's a dead cheap way of checking out lenses of different focal lengths to find the ones you like.

[ushered_in]

Cool. I'm glad we're all in agreement... Hey doc frankenstein, which lens did you say you were bidding on next? ... (evil smirk)

[ron chappel]

Make sure you check out buze's manual focus forum andy linked above,it's excellent!

[Bill Tate]

Who makes/offers adapters to use my old AE-1 lens on my new 20D?

[Jon]

Fuggedaboutit!. The FD-EF adapters either won't let you focus to infinity or require some optics so they function like about a 1.25x TC. Except for a very expensive, out-of-production Canon one, they're the pits optically. Unless you've got a good long FD L, you're better off selling your FD lenses and buying replacement EF kit.

[condyk]

Many of the current L's and high IQ Canon primes will be classics one day. A number of people here are happily using yesterdays top of the tree lenses and picking them up for silly money. Not much of importance seems to have changed in lens design but they've just become more complex: USM, IS, HSM, whatever. |Good glass is good glass. MF is slower but sometimes more accurate. Manual or AV operation is better most of the time if you know how to operate your camera. I can recommend all my lenses and Buze's MF forum mentioned above is a great place to find advice. Good luck ... now you can relax and just enjoy your shooting ;-)

[KevC]

Fuggedaboutit!. The FD-EF adapters either won't let you focus to infinity or require some optics so they function like about a 1.25x TC. Except for a very expensive, out-of-production Canon one, they're the pits optically. Unless you've got a good long FD L, you're better off selling your FD lenses and buying replacement EF kit.

I believe he was talking about the M42 and Contax lenses, not older FD ones ;)

[Jon]

I believe he was talking about the M42 and Contax lenses, not older FD ones ;)
You think?
Who makes/offers adapters to use my old AE-1 lens on my new 20D? Last I looked, lenses for the AE-1 were FD.

[ushered_in]

I think kev read my original post and missed bill's post on ae-1 lenses... Bill, even better, get an old FD film camera and keep your FD lenses for it!!!