-
Welcome to the new forums! Please read this first. For known issues we are working to resolve, click here.
Cheap manual focus lenses
- Thread starter MiguelDpr
- Start date
+1 for this. I don't have a lot of experience with old lenses, but I have this one and like it a lot. I also really like the "built like a tank" quality of this lens...
Alan WF
Veteran Member
A cheaper MF option is the FD 100/2.8 with the Lens Turbo II gives you 70/2.0 for about $250. Or try the Samyang 85/1.4 for about $300.
Regards,
Alan
I think the 85mm 1.8 FD could be a good candidate. Thanks
I can recommend Zuiko 135mm 2.8 for the original OM System.
There is a excellent Samyang 135 F2, aqvailable with M43 mount, but very big and heavy. One of the best 135mm lenses there are and ever have been for EUR 600.
Peter
Last edited:
For that money I'd consider buying the legendary Canon FD 135/2.
Thanks Alan. Beatiful samples of the Rokinon 85mm 1.4
jeffharris
Veteran Member
I've always been a fan of Nikon AI-S lenses. They tend to be a little more expensive than other brands, but for good reason, I think. Image and build quality is generally excellent.
I also have adapted Pentax SMC Takumar, Olympus OM and Voigtländer lenses with Leica M and L mounts. Don't bother spending a lot on lens adaptors. Inexpensive ones work perfectly well. I get them from Fotodiox or Rainbow Imaging.
If you're making the commitment to adapting and using manual lenses, why not spend a little more for better lenses, instead of finding and using random junk. After deciding which focal lengths you want, do a little research to find better quality lenses. It's worth the little extra effort!
Last edited:
There are certainly some excellent lenses, like the Micro Nikkor 55 F2,8 and some of the longer FLs - but I think, the main reason for the higher price level is that in theory all AIS Nikkors can be used on current Nikon cameras without adapter and some of them are still being produced.
Glen Barrington
Veteran Member
I can't speak to the NIkon lenses, since I've never really followed and kept up with Nikon. However I agree with what I interpret as an implied theme of your post, which is that no one can know about ALL legacy lenses everywhere.
It would probably be smartest to specialize and become knowledgeable about one or two series of lenses, and try to use only those lenses in your legacy lens adaptions. If you get too eclectic in your adaption choices, how can you know if what you are getting is good, or not? Is a good value, or not?
In my mind, being able to know that lens "X" has a reputation for, say, high resolution, but tends towards flare will help you place a value on the lens and know if the asking price is reasonable considering its qualities and what you need the lens for!
It would probably be smartest to specialize and become knowledgeable about one or two series of lenses, and try to use only those lenses in your legacy lens adaptions. If you get too eclectic in your adaption choices, how can you know if what you are getting is good, or not? Is a good value, or not?
In my mind, being able to know that lens "X" has a reputation for, say, high resolution, but tends towards flare will help you place a value on the lens and know if the asking price is reasonable considering its qualities and what you need the lens for!
jeffharris
Veteran Member
I keep telling myself NOT to buy that 55mm macro.
I was a Nikon film camera shooter (FG, FM2n) and although I never bought (or wanted) a giant, bloated Nikon DSLR, the fact that they never changed the the F mount, so you can use pretty much use any generation lens on any generation camera, is great.
My favorite Nikon lenses are the 20mm f2.8, 105mm f2.8 macro and 200mm f4 IF macro. I have a TC-201 (2x) teleconverter, too.
jeffharris
Veteran Member
I'm not talking about specializing with one system, just doing some googling around to find reviews or recommendations of specific lenses that are considered "classics" or very well regarded.
What's a great 50mm lens?
What's a great 135mm?
What's a great macro?
I buy a dedicated adaptor for each lens I get, so narrowing down my acquisitions to one mount isn't necessary. I tried swapping lenses AND adaptors and was so annoyed I stuck to a 1 adaptor per lens policy.
By mere chance, I was lucky that I inherited a couple of "classic" lenses. A Pentax 50mm f1.4 SMC Takumar. (I have a 105mm f2.8 that's nice, but not special like the 50mm.) And Olympus OM 135mm f2.8.
I'm in a similar boat. Already have the 45 1.8 and a Panasonic 45-150. Given that you have the 45 already, I don't see much of a point in getting anything in that focal length range. And you're asking about "cheap" lenses, which for me means <$100.
So I've narrowed in on the 100-135mm f2.5 and f2.8 primes from back in the old days, as this is a focal length and aperture combo that's not really available in m43 at low cost. Canon, Pentax, Minolta, Nikon, and a bunch of 2nd tier/no-name brands are available. EBay's full of them. As some others have posted there are a lot of nuances between the makes and even within makes (ie Canon FL, FD, 'new' FD, SC or SSC? etc).
I played around with my GX7 and 45-150, set to about 125, with IS turned off and in manual focus mode, to see what using an old manual focus lens of that range would be like. I actually didn't find it too hard to compose without the IS, and the magnification and peaking made it pretty easy to get the focus right.
jeff
So I've narrowed in on the 100-135mm f2.5 and f2.8 primes from back in the old days, as this is a focal length and aperture combo that's not really available in m43 at low cost. Canon, Pentax, Minolta, Nikon, and a bunch of 2nd tier/no-name brands are available. EBay's full of them. As some others have posted there are a lot of nuances between the makes and even within makes (ie Canon FL, FD, 'new' FD, SC or SSC? etc).
I played around with my GX7 and 45-150, set to about 125, with IS turned off and in manual focus mode, to see what using an old manual focus lens of that range would be like. I actually didn't find it too hard to compose without the IS, and the magnification and peaking made it pretty easy to get the focus right.
jeff
Travis Butler
Veteran Member
Don't have any portraits, but here's a couple of landscape/architecture shots with the 85/1.4. (I was playing around to get a feel for the lens, so I'm afraid there isn't any great artistry.)
KU Memorial Stadium
I really like the way the colors on the field just pop out at you; I really love the (outdoor, at least) color rendering on all of the Rokinon lenses I've tried.
Top of the Memorial Campanile, University of Kansas
I was in a hurry and wasn't able to nail focus on the birds as I'd hoped, but I do like the amount of detailing you can see even on the 'flat' surfaces. This shot does bring up a significant issue; the 85/1.4 is a very large and heavy lens, and it overbalances even the E-M10 w/external grip; up-angle shots like this were tricky to hold steady. I don't think I'd try shooting it on the E-P5, and forget about the GM5.
Lighting was intermittent all afternoon, and I wish it'd been a little stronger here.
--
Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_prof67/ Warning: Heavy Learning in progress.
Travis Butler
Veteran Member
There are also a couple of Chinese companies making lenses with native M4/3 mounts that you can find on eBay for under $100; in particular the Wesley 34mm and Kaxinda 35mm. I've seen speculation that they're using the optics from the Fujian 35mm repackaged in a metal body with a M4/3 mount; I can't speak to the Kaxinda, but I did try the Wesley and the images don't really look like the copy of the 35mm Fujian I had:
Keeper of the Plains Plaza, Wichita
Keeper of the Plains Plaza, Wichita
St. Mary's Cathedral, Wichita
Old Sedgewick County Courthouse, Wichita
First Presbyterian Church, Wichita
Overall, I was pretty impressed with the lens, especially with the crisp rendering (assuming I could get the focus right).
--
Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_prof67/ Warning: Heavy Learning in progress.
If you buy legacy lenses, I recommend getting a focal length reducing adapter. Not only will it make the focal length more practical, but also the lens faster.
Similar threads
Keyboard shortcuts
- f
- Forum