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  4. Can film lenses be used on modern DSLR's?

Can film lenses be used on modern DSLR's?


7 years 3 months ago #513692 by Sean Lamber
Other than you don't have the autofocus and will be in full manual mode.  Will the lens create the same photo as if a lens taken with a modern day focal length equivalent?  
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7 years 3 months ago #513706 by Scott Klubeck
Yes, that's what many photographers are doing already.  You just don't have the autofocus. 
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7 years 3 months ago #513728 by Shadowfixer1

Sean Lamber wrote: Other than you don't have the autofocus and will be in full manual mode.  Will the lens create the same photo as if a lens taken with a modern day focal length equivalent?  

Yes. Some will be better, some worse. I would say primes lenses will be just as good while older zooms probably won't. New techniques are used in the newer zooms as far as the shape, grind and movement of the elements are concerned..
www.betterphoto.com/?ramshots
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7 years 3 months ago #513779 by Overread
The sure can. Manual!  
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7 years 3 months ago #513782 by effron
I have a couple that work great, some not so much.....
Why so serious?
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7 years 3 months ago #513818 by Prago
Is there a good list around of the better manual lenses to own?  I know there are hit and miss manual oldies, just not a clue as to which are the winners.  
SWM into chainsaws and hockey masks seeks like-minded SWF. No weirdos, please
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7 years 3 months ago - 7 years 3 months ago #513823 by John Landolfi
Prago, Since you shoot Nikon, there is an old book by Moose Peterson which you might still be able to find on Amazon or ebay: Nikon System Handbook, 4th Edition, which covers all Nikon lenses from the mid 50's to the mid 90's, as well as any accessory you might have an interest in. I have, and use many non-AF Nikkors. Some are still unmatched for sharpness and contrast.
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7 years 3 months ago #513825 by John Landolfi
Here it is on Amazon:

www.amazon.com/Nikon-System-Handbook-Moo...terson/dp/1883403324
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7 years 3 months ago #513922 by Dragonflies
They make great lenses, and will save you some money in the wallet too. 
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7 years 3 months ago #513941 by John Landolfi
Many of the AI  primes are great, but most zooms have unacceptable distortion by today's standards. But, if you can find the Nikkor 35-200mm. grab it!
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7 years 3 months ago #514038 by Joves

Sean Lamber wrote: Other than you don't have the autofocus and will be in full manual mode.  Will the lens create the same photo as if a lens taken with a modern day focal length equivalent?  


Since you are shooting with Canon you need to see which lenses are compatible with your camera. With Nikon all but the pre AI are. Pentax is the only one I know of that all of their PK lenses work.
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7 years 2 months ago #514059 by rogdel
Absolutely – a good portion of my current lens collection comes from my film photography days.
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7 years 2 months ago #514132 by Flash Steven
Another good source for the hard to find used is www.keh.com  

Big selection
Canon 7D w/grip, Canon 40D, Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L Canon MPE 65mm f2.8 macro; Sigma 70-300mm f2.8; Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro; Sigma 8-16mm f4.5-5.6
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7 years 2 months ago #514167 by Screamin Scott
I regularly shoot with older manual focus & autofocus lenses designed for film cameras. Now I shoot Nikon , not Canon & I don't shoot with base cameras, so I get metering in both manual & aperture priority modes with the old manual focus lenses. I don't need an adapter with the older Nikon mount lenses either, although the very old unmodified Pre-Ai lenses I can't use. My older manual focus Leica, Konica, Minolta, Canon et al lenses I use on my mirrorless cameras but with mechanical adapters.
Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/
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7 years 2 months ago #514480 by Chris Yates
There are some lens that aren't compatible with DSLRs, and other lenses that are compatible but don't necessarily hold up to modern standards. However, a significant number of film lenses will work just fine with a digital body – just do a bit of experimentation with them beforehand to be sure that it's up to snuff.
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