Being perpetually skint student and after lusting over the new Zeiss ZE lenses I thought maybe I could pick up an decent old lens for not very much cash.
So i'm looking for a wide(ish) angle and was thinking of perhaps trying the Zuiko 24 2.8 with EOS adapter (going on a 1Dmkii) or perhaps a Zeiss Contax ?
I realise they'll be manual focus but could I still set the aperture on the camera or are there any other issues?
I think Olympus lenses are the way to go. I've got an Olympus 35 f/2.8 that worked beautifully on my 5D (had a 50/1.4, 24/2.8, 135/3.5 also). I don't use it at all now since I've got multiple zooms and the Canon 50/1.4 that cover the range (which is why I got rid of the other three) but I LOVE Olympus lenses because they're small, light and sharp.
I'm selling my 35 with a happypagehk adapter over on the B&S forum if you want an inexpensive introduction to some alt lenses. The link to the 35/2.8 for sale is here.
Ryan Davies wrote:
Being perpetually skint student and after lusting over the new Zeiss ZE lenses I thought maybe I could pick up an decent old lens for not very much cash.
So i'm looking for a wide(ish) angle and was thinking of perhaps trying the Zuiko 24 2.8 with EOS adapter (going on a 1Dmkii) or perhaps a Zeiss Contax ?
I realise they'll be manual focus but could I still set the aperture on the camera or are there any other issues?
Using alt lenses like that works fine when your subject isn't moving around much. The way it works is, you open up the lens as wide as it goes, focus, and stop down the focus ring to where you want to take your picture. The camera is in aperture priority mode, and adjusts shutter speed automatically to match where ever you left the aperture ring at. It does this by sensing how bright the image is.
Take your pick of lenses. Many MF lenses are high value. The faster the lens, the easier it will be to manual focus. I like my Zuiko and Nikkon to EOS adapters. I haven't tried any others. Both I picked up on e-bay from Hong Kong for around $15.
You may want a MF focusing screen for your camera. They are good for f2.8 and brighter lenses. fwiw, I did buy a AF confirm chip for one of my adapters. It never worked, and as such the premium I paid on it wasn't worth it.
Can I chime in and put a good word in for the super-multi-coated Takumar 28/3.5 and super-multi-coated Takumar 35/3.5? Especially the latter lens is amazingly sharp and a solid rectilinear performer. Talk about affordable...
Forgot to comment on the lenses. Zuiko and Zeiss are a little more dear than other MF lenses. I have a couple of zuiko 50/1.4's. It has an interesting bokeh. Specular highlights tend to be strong in caustics, making for a harsh bokeh, which in the right pciture, can be good, but in gernal I'm not a fan. As such, I stop this one down a little when I use it. I much prefer the bokeh from my Sigma 50/1.4.
Not sure if you're looking, but a pre-AI or AI (60's or 70's vintage) Nikkor 105/2.5 is a pretty high value lens. Nikkor fans talk about it's "legendary" status. My personal evaluation puts it in the similar performance category as the excellent Canon 85/1.8 EF lens, though at a fraction of the cost.
