Quality on the budget

I've already written about how to reach shallow depth of field, background blur, and how to get those stunning bokeh lights. Well, the prime lenses that photographers use to get these effects usually cost a lot, mainly depending on the maximum aperture value of the lens. However, there is a way to get the most out of your camera, even if you don't want to spend a fortune on the lens.

Old cameras, SLRs usually had prime stock lenses, which usually meant a 50mm f1.8 or 55mm f2.0 lens. Nowadays, these lenses can be purchased for a few bucks on ebay or in local camera stores that sell second-hand photography equipment. The great news is that some old lenses can be mount on today's DSLRs, thus getting a prime lens without spending $200-$300 is now possible. All you need to do is get the proper adapter to mount on your lens to make it fit your camera. However, there are some drawbacks of this process. For instance, you'll have NO autofocus available when you use old manual lenses on your camera body.

There are certain lenses with certain lens mounts that can be mounted on DSLRs, and there are certain DSLRs that can't be used with old lenses. Let's take a look at each of the great names of the camera manufacturing industry.

1. Canon
   
   A Canon camera is probably the best choice if you have the intention of using your old or freshly purchased cheapo lenses that actually deliver great image quality. With the proper adapter you can adapt the following old lens mounts to a Canon eos camera body: M42 screw mount, Pentax K mount, Nikon, Leica R, Medium format lenses (Mamiya 645, Hasselblad). But it's important to note that old Canon FD lenses can only be attached to EOS bodies if you use an adapter with an optical element in it, so you'll have focus to infinity. However, the optical element highly ruines the lens' image quality; it becomes less sharp and color fringing becomes noticable. You must be careful when you'd like to use a high aperture lens with a full-frame body, as the mirror in your camera might hit the rear optical element of the lens! This only occurs with full-frame cameras, APS-C (1.6x crop factos) and APS-H (1.3x) cameras won't have their mirrors hit.
   
   
   

   

   A Canon EOS body with an M42 screw mount Tomioka 55/1.2

   
   
2. Nikon
   
   Nikon users don't have that great latitude that Canon users have, as Nikon cameras can only work with old manual Nikkor lenses. These are re expensive, even on the used market. However, the best thing about using an old Nikkor lens on a digital SLR is that you need no adapter to attach it to your camera. Nota bene, using other manual lenses on Nikons won't let you use the built-in light metering of the camera.
3. Pentax
   
   Pentax still uses the same mount as their '60-'70 models, thus those old Pentax K mount lenses can be mounted on any new DSLRs. Used manual Pentax lenses are usually cheap and ebay is literally inundated with these!
   
   
   According to my own experiences, using old manual lenses can be a great solution if you'd like to experiment with these lens and want to achieve great results. However, not having autofocus might set you back from capturing great moments that otherwise could've been taken with an AF lens. It's worth trying them, and if you'd like to get rid of them, you can still sell them for the same price you purchased your lens.
   
   
   
   
   Some of my photos taken with old manual focus lenses