How To Use Inexpensive Old Lenses On Digital Cameras

Do you have a stash of old manual lenses that you don’t know what to do with? Or maybe you just bought your first digital camera and want to take advantage of using some of your old lenses on it. Either way, using a lens mount adapter is the answer! Let’s look at adapting vintage lenses for modem Digital Cameras.

This blog post will discuss the different types of lens mounts, the types of adapters available, and how to use them. The examples will be based on my experience. Specifically, I’ll discuss some popular lens adapters for Sony cameras that I have used with my vintage lens collection.

So whether you’re an experienced photographer or just starting out, read on for all the information you need to get started using manual lenses on your digital camera!

Can I Use Old Film Camera Lenses on a Digital Camera?

The short answer is yes! You can use old lenses on mirrorless digital cameras, however, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you will need to find a lens mount adapter compatible with your specific camera and lens combination. Second, because mirrorless cameras have a shorter flange distance (the distance between the sensor and the mount), you may need to use a lens with an adapter that has a built-in glass element to correct the difference. Finally, using an old lens on a mirrorless camera may result in some vignetting (darkening of the corners of the image), so you may need to edit your photos to brighten up the corners.

Why Would You want to Use Vintage Lenses in a Modern World!?

There are a few reasons why you might want to use a vintage lens on your digital camera. First, vintage glass can often be found for very reasonable prices, so they’re a great way to get started with using manual lenses without breaking the bank. Second, many vintage lenses are of excellent quality and produce beautiful results that rival or exceed modern lenses. Finally, using a vintage lens can force you to be more intentional when practicing your photography – I mean, how creative can you be if the camera does everything for you?

What Are Digital Camera Lens Adapters?

There are a few different types of lens mount adapters available for DSLR cameras. If the lens you are adapting is newer, then it may have electronic contacts. For these, you will want to find an adapter with electronic contacts. These active adapters allow you to use your old lenses with autofocus and auto-exposure features. Additionally, they will pass the exposure information back to the camera to save the image.

The second type is a simple mechanical or passive adapter, which allows you to use manual vintage lenses without autofocus or auto exposure. You will have to put your camera into manual mode to use these lenses. Additionally, on some DSLRs, you will need to update the camera settings to allow it to create an image using a non-electronic lens. This is because the camera thinks there is no lens attached. To do this, for example, on Sony cameras, you will need to enable the “Release W/O Lens” setting.

The third type is an adapter with a built-in glass element. As we mentioned before, these adapters may be necessary on some older lenses on mirrorless cameras because of the shorter flange distance. Since this is not a common problem, we won’t go over it here, but you will recognize these lenses because the rear element sticks out behind the mount.

Getting the Right Adapter

When choosing a lens mount adapter, be sure to select one that is compatible with your specific camera and lens combination. The majority of presently used lens mounts are bayonet designs, in which a lens is affixed to the camera body by aligning it correctly with the camera body, then twisting it about 45-90 degrees to secure it in place. With so many product options available, finding the correct adapter to use with these old lenses on digital cameras is often as simple as searching for :

"<lens mount name> to <camera mount name> adapter" 

on your favorite shopping website. For example, to find an adapter for a Nikon 50mm vintage lens to your Sony A7iii, search for “F mount to E mount adapter”.

If you are unsure of the lens mount you will need, there are a few places you can look on the lens to see what type of mount it uses. First, if the lens came with an old film camera, you can assume the mount was for that brand’s mount (Pentax, Nikon, Olympus, etc.). You can also check the front end of the lens and look for the mount name (MD, EM, AF, OM, etc.).

The following tables show a list of common lens and camera mounts –

Fit and Function

An important thing to test, as soon as you get a new adapter or to test in the store if you are buying one in person, is to make sure that it fits smoothly on the camera and the lens. Even though the manufacturer states that the lens should fit your specific mounts, it’s not always the case. I’ve had adapters that would not fit or fit too tightly with my camera mounts.

When you are checking out an adapter, make sure to gently try connecting it to the lens and the camera body. There should be a snug fit that will not allow light to enter, but it should not be tighter than the feel of how a native lens fits on the camera mount.

Never force an adapter in place; I’ve seen many posts online from people that now have adapters permanently attached to their lens or body. Forcing an adapter on can damage your camera and force you to send it in for repairs.

Markings

Make sure the adapter has easily visible markings to show where to set it into the camera mount. There is often a small red dot on the mount that you line up with a similar white or red dot on the camera. Don’t buy the adapter if you can’t easily see the mount alignment markings.

Electronic Connections

When looking for the correct adapter, be aware that lenses that have built-in electronics (focus motors, electronic apertures, etc.) will need electronic or active connectors. Without power, the lens will not know it’s connected to a camera body and will not operate correctly. So you will have to research to ensure you have a connector that supplies the lens’s signals and power.

So What Are the Best Lens Mount Adapters for Sony A7 or A6000 Cameras?

Now that we’ve gone over the basics of old lenses on digital cameras let’s look at some popular lens mount adapters for Sony cameras.

Since my current cameras are all Sony, I will focus on the adapter brands I use. However, since these companies make similar adapters for all DSLRs, it should be easy to translate them to other bodies.

Basic Mechanical Adapter

There are a few different options available when it comes to choosing a lens mount adapter for Sony cameras. One popular option I rely on is the Fotodiox Pro Lens Mount Adapter, which allows you to use Canon, Nikon, M42, Olympus, and Pentax lenses on your Sony camera. This particular adapter is available in several different versions, so be sure to select the one that is compatible with your camera.

Advanced Mechanical Adapter

Some lens adapters provide additional capabilities than just connecting your lens to the camera. Some, like the one below, utilize the space behind the lens to add filters or macro extensions. This one is on my buy soon list.

Professional Canon Lens Adapter

If you have some more modern Canon or Nikon autofocus lenses that you want to start using on the Sony platform, you should look into adapters that will pass signals and power from the camera to the lens. Finding one that supports full functionality on the widest set of lenses you have is important.

This is why I’ve relied on the Metabones series of adapters. All the Canon-compatible lenses I’ve tried have worked flawlessly when mounted on my Sony bodies. I highly suggest you check them out.

Where to find Old or Vintage Lenses?

Garage Sales, Estate Sales, Flea Markets & Auctions

Old lenses pop up all the time at sales like these. You can really find some bargains here. However, you also need to be careful that the lenses have not been damaged or are too dusty to use. Remember, you will be attaching this lens right next to your camera’s sensor, so any dirt, liquid, or broken glass may damage your camera.

Examine any lens you want to buy closely; remember, whoever is selling it is probably not a photographer and has not taken good care of it. Here are the main things to check –

• Make sure the focus ring and aperture blades work correctly
• Look for water damage
• Look for dents and small fractures around the lens
• Look for dust and mold inside the lens

On-Line (Etsy, eBay, etc.)

Another great place to pick up vintage glass is online. I’ve purchased several rare lenses through Etsy, and I find the sellers there to be above board and provide a good selection. Additionally, the sale will be backed by Etsy, and you can get a refund if you receive a box of garbage.

The same is not quite true of eBay. You can get some good deals there, but I feel it’s still a little uncontrolled. So err on the side of caution, any deal that is too good might signal issues with the lens.

The Back of the Closet

If you’ve been photographing for a while or have a relative who has, there’s more than likely some old camera gear in the back of the closet. Grab that old Nikon or Canon glass out and see what lens adapter you need.

Pointers on Using a Vintage Adapted Lens

Attaching the Lens

Once you have the right adapter, using an old lens on your digital camera is easy! Just attach the adapter to your camera’s body and screw the lens into the adapter. If you’re using a mechanical adapter, you’ll need to set the aperture on the lens itself. For lenses with electronic contacts, the aperture will be controlled by the camera.

Camera Settings

If you use a mechanical adapter, your camera must be in Manual Mode. You will still be able to adjust the ISO and Shutter Speed on the camera body, but now focus and aperture adjustments will be made on the lens.

Also, as stated above, you will need to change your camera’s settings to allow “Release W/O Lens” because the body does not sense an attached lens and is trying to prevent the sensor from being exposed to the (dusty) outside world.

Aperature Control

Again, if you are using a mechanical adapter, any changes to the focal length are done using the Aperature Ring on the lens. If you are using focus peaking, then you should be able to see what effect your changes are making on the scene.

Focusing with the Lens

When using old lenses on digital cameras, it’s important to remember that there is no autofocus. Focusing with vintage lenses is done by turning the focus ring on the lens and viewing the scene on the back of the camera. This means that you’ll need to focus manually. This can be challenging, and you may find that achieving sharp focus can be an issue, especially if you’ve been using autofocus for a while.

Using Focus Peaking

Have no fear; your camera can still help you out. Many DSLRs will allow you to enable a function called “Focus Peaking” or “Manual Focus (MF) Assist”. This technique will show in the viewfinder where objects in the picture are in sharp focus. Focus peaking works by detecting areas of high contrast and making them stand out with eye-catching colors.

While using Focus Peaking, manual focus will force you to slow down and take your time. This may help you with your composition skill because you will have to interact with your subjects for a longer time (no running and gunning style won’t produce great results)

And that’s it! You can now start using your old lenses on your digital camera. Just remember to keep the following things in mind:

Other Styles of Adapters

One other cool type of adapter you can get is called a T Mount. T Mount allows you to mount your camera on all types of interesting devices, including Telescopes and Microscopes. If you want to grab some great closeups of the Moon or Saturn, get a T Mount adapter for your camera body and pull that telescope out of the closet!

Conclusion

We hope this blog post has been helpful in getting you started using old lenses on your digital camera! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy shooting!

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