One of the most beneficial things that I discovered during the early stages of learning about different cameras/camera gear was using vintage lenses. These are old (and therefore cheap) lenses that can be adapted to use on modern cameras. I feel that the use of them fast-tracked the learning curve and still benefits me and my work today. The main upsides to experimenting with old lenses are that they are very cheap and also offer a variety of focal lengths with low f-stops. This is particularly attractive to people who are just starting out as buying an expensive lens can be daunting, vintage lenses can offer a cheap way of testing out various focal lengths to know which works best for your needs. There are of course some negative sides to using this type of lens, I’ll look into both the pros and cons in this post.
My experience with vintage lenses
I personally have a few vintage lenses. As mentioned in a previous blog post, I have a soft spot for equipment that is cheap but also gets the job done well. Just like the Pyle PDMIC78 reviewed previously, most vintage lenses also fall into this category. Early on I purchased a Pentax 50mm f1.8, a Zykorr 28mm f2.8, and a 80-200mm f4 all for less than £20 each. An adapter to be able to use them on modern cameras cost about the same, so for under £100, pretty much every standard focal length is covered. Including the kit lens that is included with most cameras, the versatility is pushed even further.
It is a bit of a compromise between quality and cost of course, but if you choose the right lens and keep in mind that they cost a fraction of the price compared to most lenses, they aren’t bad at all. I recently upgraded to the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8. From using vintage lenses for a year or two prior to this upgrade, I found myself reaching mostly for the 28mm lens, so I knew that this lens would suit my needs, especially with the low aperture. I still use the Pentax 50mm for tighter shots too.
Here’s a couple of examples of videos that I shot almost entirely using the Zykorr 28mm f2.8 and the Pentax 50mm f1.8:
How to mount vintage lenses
Using vintage lenses requires adapting them to whichever mount type your camera has. For example, I shoot on a Sony a6300 which uses the Sony E-mount, and my vintage lenses use the Pentax PK-mount. So I require an adapter that goes from Pentax PK-mount to Sony E-mount. Another tip that I have for saving on the overall cost would be to commit to one type of mount for different vintage lenses. This will mean that you only need to purchase one type of adapter to use with all of the lenses.
Sony mirrorless cameras are great to use with old lenses as the distance between the sensor and the lens allows infinity focus without the need of a special adapter with a glass element in it. My main camera used to be a Nikon, which isn’t mirrorless, and it requires an adapter with the glass element in it to achieve proper use of the lenses.
Here’s a few adapters for the Sony E-mount, adapting from some popular vintage lens mounts:
Pentax PK mount to Sony E-mount: https://amzn.to/2SrxGLb
M42 Screw Mount to Sony E-Mount: https://amzn.to/2SoxAns
Leica M to Sony E-Mount: https://amzn.to/2TQgN9i
Nikon F-Mount to Sony E Mount: https://amzn.to/2GoCKcG
Olympus OM to Sony E-Mount: https://amzn.to/2SsxFXk
Things to look out for when purchasing
A vintage lens refers to a lens that is old, most of the ones you can find cheaply online would have been used on old film cameras. A quick eBay search can return hundreds of super cheap options, but what should you look for to ensure a good quality purchase?
The negative side effect of the age of these lenses is the quality of the optical elements inside. A lens can develop fungus over time if it isn’t stored correctly. Fungus appears as a foggy layer inside of the lens, and can also appear cracked. This affects the sharpness of the image, often appearing to be blurry and soft.
When buying a lens of this kind online, make sure that there are clear images of the optics within the lens. If the seller avoids including these images then they may be hiding something.
Summary
In my opinion, using vintage lenses is a very beneficial way to get an idea of what different focal lengths look and feel like to use initially. If you manage to get your hands on a lens with clean elements, it can also be a very good lens to use in general. I have shot many projects on this type of lens with great results. The cons of using vintage lenses include the lack of autofocus and potentially soft images when shooting with the aperture wide open (depending on the lens).
Overall, the pros outweigh the cons, and the risk of getting a lens with optical issues is not a very big one compared to the price you pay. Go and have some fun with vintage lenses!