Any users of old manual focus lenses (on EOS) ?

[ron chappel]

Just curious how many here like to experiment with or use old manual focus lenses adapted to you DSLR?

Most know that nikkor and any M42 screw mount lenses can be used with a cheap adapter but there are others as well...

Are there any old lenses you PREFER to use for certain pictures (for example old '70's primes because of their lower contrast)?

Personally i have been using all kinds of things for lenses over the years-sometimes for fun (front lens group from binoculars),or because i couldn't afford certain lenses such as an EF 70-200/2.8 (konica 80-200/3.5 completely modified to fit EOS) or even just to see if it can be done :lol: (various dissasembled FD lenses held in front of the camera + lots of other experiments!)

[arumdevil]

I just made an extension tube for close ups on my 300D out of the body cap and rear lens cover. trouble is with my kit lens the only way to control aperture is to take the extension off, put the lens on the camera, set aperture, press DOF preview button and remove lens while holding, then put extension tube back in between.

Not very practical as you can imagine. So as soon as I get settled back in England (moving back from spain next week) I will find my self an FD 50mm 1.8 and adapt my extension tube for that.

[DocFrankenstein]

I was almost ready to get an extention, then ran into 70-200 sigma and now I'm done with purchases for now. :lol:

[apophot]

I am using pentax (m42) ,killfit macro(modified to M42) ,old vivitar "t" mount with a eos adapter,modified minolta bellows(replaced Minolta mount with a eos T mount), novoflex follow focus lens (240 and 400)and several microscopes with my Digital rebel.
They all work fine, Once you get past the focusing screen. Everything works in AV mode. The only problem is You cannot use the built in flash without a lot of guessing and playing around in M mode. I have built a adapter (drop the trigger voltage below 6 volts)to use my old varistor strobes when using these lens.

[samdring]

I am using pentax (m42) ,killfit macro(modified to M42) ,old vivitar "t" mount with a eos adapter,modified minolta bellows(replaced Minolta mount with a eos T mount), novoflex follow focus lens (240 and 400)and several microscopes with my Digital rebel.
They all work fine, Once you get past the focusing screen. Everything works in AV mode. The only problem is You cannot use the built in flash without a lot of guessing and playing around in M mode. I have built a adapter (drop the trigger voltage below 6 volts)to use my old varistor strobes when using these lens.

Wow - what a first post - welcome

[Bodog]

I originally bought an old Vivitar 300mm and an M42-EOS adapter. After taking a couple shots,I realized the lens was pretty crappy,but now I use the adapter with an old bellows and a couple Asahi lenses for macro (50mm f1.4 and 135mm f3.5). They're pretty sharp, but the problem I have is focusing with my old eyes,so they aren't used much right now (the lenses). That will change(hopefully) when I can afford the angle finder C.

[Ogrt48]

Whoa, how do you make your own adapter? I'd love to do that.. I'm poor. lol

[arumdevil]

In theory it's very simple, but in practice it can be a bit of a PITA to do.

Basically get a body cap and a rear lens cap (you should have both spare if you always keep a lens on your cam).

Cut the centre out of each and then glue together (I used "Araldite" 2 part epoxy resin).

drawbacks are not lens communication, so no AF or aperture control.

[DocFrankenstein]

drawbacks are not lens communication, so no AF or aperture control.
Also the fact that you're not gonna have a clear alignment of the lens and the sensor... I minor detail.

Spare yourself the trouble and get the adapter. Adam Smith had a few sound ideas about specialization of labour. :wink:

[arumdevil]

drawbacks are not lens communication, so no AF or aperture control.
Also the fact that you're not gonna have a clear alignment of the lens and the sensor... I minor detail.

Spare yourself the trouble and get the adapter. Adam Smith had a few sound ideas about specialization of labour. :wink:

If you want to buy it for be be my guest. money doesn't grow on trees and I don't have £100 spare to spend on extension tube right now, so I will make do thank you very much.

[edit] bye the way, what exactly do you mean by "clear alignment of the lens and the sensor"?