Having just bought a Kodak SLR/C, I now need lenses. In my film days I used pentax 35mm and 6x7. Are there any adapters that would allow me to use my 35mm pentax lenses with this camera?

Alternatively, are there any adapters that would allow the use of better prime MF or AF lenses. As most of my work is landscape, I don't need (and don't want to pay for) auto-focus.

Thanks for any leads,

Bill Morse

Wm. Morse Editions
Boston, MA


www.MorseEditions.com
Bill@MorseEditions.com

Edited by willym on Feb 22, 2006 at 10:07 PM GMT

Bill,
You don't say if your Pentax was a K mount or M42 mount. If M42 no problem as adapters are cheap and plentiful, two types available, one that activates the stop down pin and another type that does not activate the pin to allow use of lenses with "Auto/Manual" switches to work as preset lenses. K mount is more difficult to find and more expensive, I found a supplier in France, ordered one adapter but cannot report on quality as it has not arrived yet. Remember, any lens mount that uses an adapter to mount on a Canon will only function in Manual Mode, no autofocus or autoapature functions.
As your Kodak SLR is the Canon mount, suggest purchasing some Canon Glass. 50mm prime and a wide to short tele zoom should get you started for not much money and will have full functionality with the camera.
The Canon EOS mount (due to its size and flange to sensor/film distance) will also accept lenses which use Nikon, Zeiss/Contax and Leica mounts, so your selection is the greatest of any mount. Somewhere there is a listing of all the adapters made for Canon, forgot where it is but will post later if I remember.
Best of Luck with the Kodak SLR/C!

Hi A.C.-

Thanks for the suggestions (and the welcome!). The Pentax lenses are K-mounts, so I will probably just sell them. I will look for the list of adapters- hopefully one of us will find it!

In the short run I will get some Canon primes. Long term I will look for ways to use Lieca or other better glass.

Thanks again,

Bill

Bill,

If you do a search, you will find lots of great posts here re: alternative glass for use on Canon EOS "EF" mount. People are using Leica and Zeiss for sure, and Zoerk and Novoflex make adapters for your Pentax 6x7 glass P67>EOS. P.Caldwell has written about Pentax lenses on Canon mount - you might google that? Leica prices are down at the moment, so you might shop now? Zeiss is ready to introduce new lenses in two mounts so some of us are sort of excited ...well, a 50mm and a 85mm? z - nuf of those, bring on the 21mm!

For adapters, there are miles of threads, but let me distill it down for you: the best are CameraQuest. I also like Novoflex for their ease of use. Some other adapters have thickness problems. Typically: too thick = inability to focus at distance. Others are too thin, and focus past infinity. Jury is still out on where that is, but all we know is its past Amarillo Be sure to test! CameraQuest adapters are ~$175 for Contax-Zeiss to Canon EOS. Those work. Period.

Canon wide angle primes are mediocre with a couple exceptions. Their long primes rock! Excellent macro lenses, too! Many of use are using Zeiss (and Leica) wides, so you are welcome here. I'll pour you a cold one and put a ribeye on the grill for you

Enjoy the Kodak - did you get it used? rainer v. has posted many experiences shooting architecture with that camera - you might google that. he had some challenges and you may learn some tricks from him?

Paul

Hi Paul-Thanks for the excellent info! (and let's do those beers and steaks- your place or mine? ;^)

Which of the Canon primes do you think are good enough, that it's not worth the loss of the auto-features of the camera? Having asked that, let me also note that I am looking to spend $300 or less for 3-4 prime lenses new or used.

I just bought the SLR/c used on Ebay, less than 3,000 actuations, with a warrantee for a few more months, so I'm looking forward to working with it. Is "rainer v." his user name?

Thanks again for the info, and I will post examples as soon as I have the camera set up.

Bill



pchaplo wrote:
Bill,

Canon wide angle primes are mediocre with a couple exceptions. Their long primes rock! Excellent macro lenses, too!

Enjoy the Kodak - did you get it used? rainer v. has posted many experiences shooting architecture with that camera - you might google that. he had some challenges and you may learn some tricks from him?

Paul

Hi Bill,

If you are looking to spend $300 total for 3-4 primes you will need to go with M42 (screw mount) or some other older lower cost lenses. What focal lengths are you looking for? Some of the Zuiko's are inexpensive and very good lenses. I've used quite a few - let me know what you looking for and I could make some recommendations on Zuiko lenses. A good adapter could cost you more than a lens though. I'm a fellow SLR/c user

Rainer posts on DPReview in the Kodak SLR forum. He mainly comments on the high end Zuiko wide angle and shift lenses, which are the more expensive Zuiko lenses to buy.


Paul

Hi Paul-

I shoot mainly landscapes and urbanscapes- I am looking for primes in the 20, 35, 50, 85, and possibly 135 lengths. I may also play with my 6x7 lenses with adapters- especially the 45 and 55 lenses- I've seen panarama adapters that allow you to shoot 2 shots, one at each end of the shift adjustment, thereby using the full coverage of the lens- cool!

I have also read that some canon primes (the 85?) are better than others, and if all other things are equal, I might go for one of them.

Just to clarify, I am looking to spend an average of $300 each, for 3-4 primes, not $300 total for all 4 primes. Adapters will be additional (and I know, some are expensive).

Regards,

Bill

Bill,

Since autofocus is not an issue, and you can shoot manual / stop-down mode for that type of work, this is what I suggest:

50mm f/1.7 Contax-Zeiss MM
35mm f/2.8 Contax-Zeiss MM

If you want a Canon 85mm prime, wait until the new f/1.2 USM MarkII hits the market -- users will dump their older version and the price willl drop. I use a Nikon 85mm with an adapter (Novoflex - pricey, but nice fit).

Big hint: buy USED here in the Buy/Sell forum! People who violate trust are banned from this site & you can check feedbacks.

Bill - take you address and phone number out of your first post for security. Hit EDIT and change the post. Just do it!

Paul

Bill,

PM (personal message) sent to your forum mail box with more info.

Paul