Non standard lenses on a Canon

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Pete
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Anyone ever had decent results using older non Canon lenses on their DSLR? I mean stuff like Carl Zeiss and M42 type stuff. What works and what doesn't? and what produces the best results? I know focusing will be manual on them, do any have the ability to operate the auto aperture functions? I see some great looking old f2 prime lenses going for buttons on ebay and I'm tempted but I don't want to end up with a load of old useless glass.. any guidance on adapters/lenses welcome! :)
 
No auto i'm afraid, all manual! You can get a focus confirm adapter which helps. Results can be ok once you get into it!
 
This may help a little!
 
I've used older Nikkors on my 30D, in manual and aperture priority mode. They work very well. Manual focus is a bit of a pain on the dim/small crop VF but it's possible. I haven't tried an AF confirm adapter.
 
I've had some excellent results on my Canons using all sorts of lenses. I currently use Contax Carl Zeiss lenses (exceptional quality, my preferred lenses) but these are expensive. A good starting point are the M42 Takumars (55/2 and 55/1.8 are often cheap or the 50/1.4 is a super lens if you can get one for £50.00 or so).

Carl Zeiss Jena lenses provide lovely IQ but are a real pain to find a good one. They suffer from mechanical problems so make sure you buy from a reputable dealer if you take that route. The 50/1.8 Pancolar, 35/2.4 and 35/2.8 close focus Flektogon are great lenses. The 135/3.5 Sonnar is easier to find and is incredible! Grab one for £50.00 and you'll be laughing :) Cheaper options to the Sonnar are the Jupiter 11A and Jupiter 37A which are clones of the Sonnar.

The Pentacon 135/2.8 preset has the smoothest bokeh I've ever seen, so is another one to watch out for.

All the old Nikon lenses are great value too as are the Olympus Zuikos and Yashica ML lenses. A really cheap starter lens is the Helios 44/44-2/44M/44M-4 which is a 58mm f2 lens based on the Carl Zeiss Biotar. It has interesting swirly bokeh :o

When using manual lenses you will need to use either manual mode or aperture priority mode (my preference) as the camera can't adjust the aperture (you do that on the lens) but it can control the shutter speed :) It's a bit fiddly at first, but well worth the effort IMO. I tested the kit Canon 18-55mm lens up against an Olympus Zuiko just recently and the Olympus was miles better, even wide open at f2!

As you can see, I'm a bit of an MF fan ;)
 
Thanks for all the replies! it's certainly got me intrigued as to what I should attempt.. thanks for the link Wontolla, nice to see it's that easy, I normally ever leave AV mode anyway, I love bokeh and the depth it gives you hence my interest in faster lenses.. some of those galleries are stunning :) reckon I'll be doing a bit of hunting around now and see how it goes!
 
I've had some excellent results on my Canons using all sorts of lenses.
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When using manual lenses you will need to use either manual mode or aperture priority mode (my preference) as the camera can't adjust the aperture (you do that on the lens) but it can control the shutter speed :)
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As you can see, I'm a bit of an MF fan ;)

+1 here too. Use 'em on 5D and 1DII. Mostly M42 threaded mount lenses with a focus-confirm chipped adapter.

You can get an issue with lenses which adjust their length backwards into the body cavity: at infinity focus some lenses will stop the mirror on the 5D.

Curiously, in contrast to the author, I set my body to Tv, adjust exposure time on camera and f/stop on the lens.

I'd heartily recommend focus-confirm adapters - my keeper rate went from 'bysmal to 99%.

I just love the excellent value involved in most MF lenses together with the results and the fact that not using AF lenses has improved my photography technique no end.
 
Just an update, I'm waiting for delivery of a converter (with AF confirm) and I've just remembered that I already own a Hanimex 135 f2.8 as part of my old manual kit that was lying in the attic so I'll have something to experiment with at least..! :) I also pulled the trigger on a Mamiya Sekor 135mm f2.8 on ebay last night for £16 so hopefully it should be decent as well.. the reviews look good so I'll be able to compare it to the Hanimex when it arrives, looking forward to experimenting! thanks again for all the advice!
 
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