Question by PM re: lens adapters

Andy

PM wrote:

I hope that you don't mind me asking but I figured since you are the expert on here you would have the answer or at least be able to point me in the right direction.

I have heard that it is possible to use other lenses like Zeiss, Pentax, Praktica, Mamiya, Zenit on the 20D by using some type of adaptor. Is this true? If so is there one that might be better than the other? I'm looking to expand on my lens base but not quite ready to spend thousands yet. I'm looking into possibly using older lenses that can be had quite inexpensively on e-bay. Thanks for any thoughts on the matter?

One source:

http://cameraquest.com is where I recommend you look! Best of luck :thumb

Andy

I use a cameraquest adapter on my Zeiss 21, with my Canon 5D:
http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/1075248

pathfinder

You are aware that using older lenses with adapters, like the Zeiss, that Andy uses, you will be giving up auto focus and automatic exposure. The lens will be a manual lens, and you will have to set the aperture, and the exposure.

This can work fine for a landscape shooter who is shooting from a tripod. It may not be satisfactory for a sport shooter or shooting kid's portraits.

EOS lenses and the non-OEM brands of EOS compatible lenses will not have these limitations.

claudermilk

I would suggest heading over here: http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/55 -- the Alternative Digital Systems & Lenses board. There's a pretty active community of photographers there using all kinds of adapted exotic glass there. They should be able to answer any questions you have.

ziggy53

I currently use, via adapter, on Canon EOS dSLRs:

Pentax 50mm, f1.4, wonderful lens
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=37003
http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=38398

Soligor 28mm, f2.8, OK quality, don't use much
(no samples)

Vivitar 105mm, f2.8, very nice lens, usable as macro lens
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=34881

Vivitar 500mm, f6.3, very decent quality for what I have invested
http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?p=241163
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=44153

I am using a cheap M42/EOS adapter from Adorama:
http://www.adorama.com/CZPUEOS.html?searchinfo=lens%20adapter

But similar is available from other vendors.

A major problem is finding focus, as the 20D only has a groundglass viewfinder screen. I highly recommend a focus confirmation chip in addition to the simple adapter:
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=35188

... or an adapter with the chip already mounted:
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=41930

... and/or a different screen
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=20676

... and/or focusing magnifier:
http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=166174&postcount=21

Great sources of information:
http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-manual-lenses/
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/eosfaq/manual_focus_EOS.html

ziggy53

Bob&Glennie

The other guys here definitely have the best advice for you re what and where to get your adapter but I want to share with you my experience with using M42 mount lenses on my DSLR.

First, the camera body will not recognize the lens and you won't get an aperture readout but it should give you a shutter speed if you are set to Aperture Priority mode. That shutter speed will be roughly correct for the manually selected aperture based on the meter's ability to correctly meter ambient light using manual (stopped down) aperture settings.

Second, whatever M42 mount lens you use, it MUST have an Auto/Manual switch on the lens barrel for the diaphram or else it will always be wide open. At least this is the case when using M42 lenses with the adapter for the Olympus E system bodies.

Third, You might find that image quality will not be up to what you'd expect from perhaps a "made for digital only" lens. E.G., I'm using a lovely old Asahi Pentax 200mm f4 prime with my Olympus E500. Everything works fine and exposure in Aperture Priority is accurate but the lens produces a much lower contrast image than any of my Olympus Zuiko or Sigma 4/3 lenses. This could a good thing on some digital cameras but the dynamic range of the Full Frame Transfer CCD in the Oly is such that contrast is rarely a problem. I have to boost contrast in post when using this lens.

Also I've found that this lens produces a cooler color tone and must be warmed up in post if color accuracy matters. Still it makes some lovely pictures.

You may experience similar or other limitations in whatever combination you end up with and if you are willing to accept them you can expect a lot of fun.