Cheap second hand DSLR suggestions to use with Manual Film lenses

BADGER.BRAD

BADGER.BRAD

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Hello all,

I'm thinking of getting rid of my Little used Sony A6000 which I just cannot get on with and replacing it with an older DSLR using my M42 lenses giving me a camera I'm less worried about destroying and nearer to the SLR cameras I am used to and enjoy , But I seem to remember reading that one of the DSLR manufacturers cameras just do not work with manual lenses. I'm looking at 8 to 12 MP cameras.

Thanks all.
 
I think pretty much any DSLR will work with old film lenses in aperture and manual modes. A potential issue is the registration distance as if the required distance is larger than the camera (sensor to lens mount) you can use an adapter which also acts as a spacer to place the lens at the right distance. If however the distance is too short you need an adapter with a corrective lens in it and this could be both more expensive and potentially lead to a degradation in image quality.

For example my Canon DSLR was ok for Olympus Zuiko lenses but would need an adapter with a corrective lens for Canon FD's, as far as I know.

The bigger issue is though, IMO, that DSLR's are usually not built for manual focus and probably don't have any of the focus aids a film era camera would have. You can of course use zone focus or hyperforcal or Merklinger techniques but manually focusing accurately on a modern DSLR sometimes isn't easy if there are no aids.

Personally I think modern mirrorless cameras are the things to use manual lenses on and that's what I do with my Sony A7 in aperture or manual modes with my old film era lenses and also my modern manual lenses. I think that manually focusing on a mirrorless camera with the highly magnified view is perhaps and arguably the most accurate way to focus, if you have the time to do it. I regularly take pictures that stand up to 100% pixel peeping, no problem, and I just don't think that's possible with a modern DSLR with few if any focusing aids. You can get adapters with a focus confirmation feature but from what I've read they may not be entirely accurate and trustworthy.

Sadly you've been down the mirrorless route with the A6000 and I don't think you've been happy. I do think though that sadly it's a relative PITA to use old lenses on DSLR's if you want consistently accurate focus. If you decide to go down the DSLR + manual lenses route be prepared for some frustration and out of focus pictures.
 
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Thanks Alan you have jogged my memory, it was needing a corrective lens rather than not working at all that I was thinking of . I had a Canon 10d in the past that was found to be faulty ( kept altering iso at random) and I did have a lot of slightly out of focus photos so that comment rings true as well. I brought the Sony originally to use with manual lenses using it's magnified view in the EVF rather than a cheaper camera with the difficult to see in bright light back screen. I have just not got on with the camera and do not feel right because of it's cost taking it on most of my outings including other hobbies at the same time as it would be too easy to damage it. I also like the simplicity of old manual SLR's my ideal camera would be one that was fully mechanical but had a digital sensor, just choose ISO ,shutter speed. aperture and focus then press the button.I think I'll stay clear of the DSLR idea.
 
You've probably heard this before but you can use mirrorless cameras almost like film cameras. I do this all the time. It's perhaps how you set them up that matters and you can for example have next to no information in the evf and run in aperture priority or manual mode. Obviously in aperture you set the aperture and ISO and the camera sets the shutter speed and in manual you set everything.

I do things slightly differently now as I use auto ISO as it's just one more thing to forget about. I can then use aperture priority and let the camera set the shutter speed and the ISO or I can use manual mode and set the aperture and the shutter speed and let the ISO float from shot to shot which can be an advantage in changing lighting and allows you to be a bit quicker.

I'm in lockdown and haven't been out with a camera since march but there are some pictures of plants etc I took with a Canon FD lens on my Sony A7 here...

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...ome-mega-thread.511885/page-1633#post-8720658

and some pictures taken with a modern manual focus lens on my A7 here...

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...ing-else-welcome-mega-thread.511885/page-1637

There is no reason why you couldn't be taking pictures with manual lenses and achieving good focus accuracy assuming you have the time to focus accurately and assuming you can get to grips with mirrorless digital cameras.

If you do go for a DSLR, something like a Canon 5D (a full frame camera) I wish you well but I know from personal experience what a frustrating experience using manual lenses on cameras like this can be. I gave up PDQ. I suppose another option is to go for something like a 5D and replacing the focus screen with a more manual focus friendly one but again I'm sure this wont get you the accuracy that's possible with a mirrorless camera. It may be good enough though. Not all DSLR's have removable focus screens but I do know that the original 5D has one as I removed mine for cleaning several times.

I hope that helps.
 
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Nikon.

Thread closed.
 
A Nikon dSLR is about the worst choice if you are using M42 lenses, or any non-Nikon lenses. Just about everything will need an adapter with glass:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flange_focal_distance

Canon EOS can take a reasonable selection of lenses (including M42) with glassless adapters, but the mirrorless systems are the kings of compatibility.
 
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Similar issue here

Looks like Fuji could be an option? A cheap XT2 or X-E3 if you want small? Large EVF and additional MF focus aids
 
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The thing is that the OP has a capable mirrorless camera in the A6000 but doesn't like it.

My own preference is the Sony A7 because you get to use the lenses at their original FoV. I bought my A7 when they first came out but they're old news now and relatively cheap and as the additional bells and whistles and state of the art focus systems that the later models have don't matter these basic first generation cameras are ideal for manual lens use. IMO.

Another way to use old FF lenses at their original FoV could be on a MFT or APS-C camera with a speed booster but that's also adding more expense when they can be used with a simple dumb adapter on a FF A7. All things to think about if you can get on with mirrorless cameras.
 
If you are going to use M42 lenses with a dSLR then one of the Canon range offers the best cost/benefit. I used a 5D and a 1Ds II with manual lenses for a few years and was very satisfied with the results.

Camera Canon 1Ds II with Tamron 90mm macro lens DSC01341.JPG
 
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Retune said:
A Nikon dSLR is about the worst choice if you are using M42 lenses, or any non-Nikon lenses.
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Maybe. But a simple answer to the title question, is 'Nikon'. End of. Because even with a cheap old Nikon DSLR body, you have access to hundreds of Nikon lenses, and countless other 3rd party Nikon fit lenses. The biggest selection of lenses possible. And with most of them, you'll get full function, with TTL metering and aperture control. And focus indication in the viewfinder. There really is no easier way to use old MF lenses on a digital body. It's this reason I went with Nikon when I went digital.

If you want to use M42 lenses, then of course that's a different story. I spose there's a fair few Zeiss, Pentax Takumar and a few other quality brands in that fit. But then the flange distance thing rules out most DSLRs as being a good solution anyway, as already mentioned. Which leaves mirrorless. Which unless you're ok with the crop factor, leaves full frame mirrorless. Which isn't 'cheap', in relative terms. So that really does seem to leave the Sony A7 as the lowest cost most effective option, doesn't it?
 
AZ6 said:
Maybe. But a simple answer to the title question, is 'Nikon'. End of. Because even with a cheap old Nikon DSLR body, you have access to hundreds of Nikon lenses, and countless other 3rd party Nikon fit lenses. The biggest selection of lenses possible. And with most of them, you'll get full function, with TTL metering and aperture control. And focus indication in the viewfinder. There really is no easier way to use old MF lenses on a digital body. It's this reason I went with Nikon when I went digital.

If you want to use M42 lenses, then of course that's a different story. I spose there's a fair few Zeiss, Pentax Takumar and a few other quality brands in that fit. But then the flange distance thing rules out most DSLRs as being a good solution anyway, as already mentioned. Which leaves mirrorless. Which unless you're ok with the crop factor, leaves full frame mirrorless. Which isn't 'cheap', in relative terms. So that really does seem to leave the Sony A7 as the lowest cost most effective option, doesn't it?
Click to expand...

The OP mentions M42, so I think it's a pretty safe bet that's what he's interested in. For these, Canon is the obvious choice among dSLRs, though I'd choose mirrorless. Nikon in some respects has excellent compatibility within its own SLR system. Buy a Df and you can use nearly any lens from the last 60 years. But there are quite a few pitfalls elsewhere. The other AI-compatible bodies risk damage if you try to mount a pre-AI lens that hasn't been converted. The cheaper bodies won't meter even with AI lenses, unless they are AI-P or you have them chipped. Oddly enough, a cheap Canon can safely mount both AI and pre-AI via an adapter, and will do stop-down metering with both (or pretty much anything else). Although I use Nikon. I bought an entry-level Canon for work when we wanted a camera to use on a microscope with a T2 mount, simply because it would meter.
 
Retune said:
Nikon in some respects has excellent compatibility within its own SLR system
Click to expand...

Ergo, in answer to the title question, a Nikon would be the best solution. Granted there are a few low end bodies that won't meter (my D3300 would AE in A mode), but anything with the screw drive AF coupling will, I think. All of these will work:

D850, D810, D800, D800E, D780, D750, D700, D610, D600, D500, D300s, D300, D200, D7200, D7100, D7000, D2, D3, D4, D5.

And then you have a lot more functionality than pretty much any other converted lens on any other brand. Making such a Nikon body the most efficient and versatile platform to use manual focus lenses. Bosh.

Retune said:
Oddly enough, a cheap Canon can safely mount both AI and pre-AI via an adapter, and will do stop-down metering with both (or pretty much anything else).
Click to expand...

But with stopped down metering, the viewfinder goes very dark with smaller apertures and slower lenses, and it's a right faff. It's ok with an adaptive EVF mind, as I've found with my Z6 and older MF lenses.


Retune said:
The OP mentions M42
Click to expand...

I accept that, hence why I've gone along with the suggestion to use ML, and that for full frame use, the Sony A7 is probs the best choice really.
 
I used to use manual lenses on my 5D2 with neat little adapters. C/Y and M42 mainly but they are easier to use on mirrorless imo. I also fitted a different focusing screen in my 5D2.
 
AZ6 said:
Ergo, in answer to the title question, a Nikon would be the best solution. Granted there are a few low end bodies that won't meter (my D3300 would AE in A mode), but anything with the screw drive AF coupling will, I think.
Click to expand...
As with everything about Nikon lens compatibility, it's never that simple - e.g., the D50, D70, D70s, D80, D90 and D100 have screwdriver AF, but won't meter with AI lenses (except AI-P or chipped). Are you suggesting the D3300 will? Nikon says no (for all the D3x00 and D5x00 bodies).
 
I've manual focused on my Canons (5d3 / 80D etc.) and my Fujis (XT2&3) and to be honest, there is no comparison.
Through the viewfinder focusing on the DSLRs relies on 1) my eyesight (not the greatest) and 2) the diopter adjustment being correct / not knocked.
On the Fuji mirrorless I just turn on the focus highlighting and more or less nail the focus.

Examples:
Manually focusing a canon lens on the fuji (A/F wasn't cutting it)

The Moon by Tim White, on Flickr

Lensbaby (so majorly oof)

Three Bridges - Hanwell by Tim White, on Flickr

I'm pretty sure I couldn't have come close to these as consistently using a dslr.

What is it you hate about the Sony A6000?
You mention cost, but they seem to be around £250 second hand, so not a massive cost.

Is it the handling? You seem to hark back to film (from the threads I've read), so whilst a Fuji is mirrorless, if you went with something like the XT10 (focus highlighting and split image assists) you would have the dedicated dials for shutter speed and iso, along with an aperture ring on the majority of fuji lenses (as well as the adapted manual ones). MPB seem to have XT-10s from £170 so a bit cheaper than the A6000.

To get much cheaper digitally, you're looking at 10-15 year old tech. I found a 350D at £34 on MPB, but I wouldn't want to use that manually...
 
I have an a6000 and an A7r2. The a6000 was my walkaround with adapted manual Pentax primes. The A7r2 was my more specialist camera with AF lenses. The a6000 whilst an excellent camera suffers from a low res EVF that has a lot of noise. It made manual shooting a slow process for me.
I have just had a used Fuji X-T3 delivered. It is a massive improvement for manual lenses, Lovely big bright EVF, so much easier to focus, lots of manual dials as well.
I still love my Sony gear, the a6000 with a zoom will be my daily body when out with my family, the a7r2 macro and abstract/still life and my Fuji and Pentax primes for when I can go out on my own and play around with whatever my chosen lens is for that day...
 
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