As previously mentioned, adding that dash of old-school romance to your photographs can be achieved quite easily and fairly cheap. eBay is full of affordable, good quality gems that won’t brake your bank.
Simply slap on an adapter, matching your camera system and off you go to your next unique photo adventure. Amazon.com is littered with reasonably priced adapters. However, I found URTH to work best with my lenses.
Here are some of mine:
The Olympus OM Zuiko Auto-W 28mm F2.8 lens is a true gem in the world of vintage optics. With its compact and lightweight design, this lens packs a punch when it comes to performance and image quality. It offers a versatile 28mm focal length, perfect for capturing wide-angle shots and landscapes with stunning clarity and detail. The fast maximum aperture of F2.8 allows for excellent low-light performance and creates a beautiful shallow depth of field for artistic compositions. The lens produces images with vibrant colors, impressive contrast, and minimal distortion, making it a go-to choice for both seasoned photographers and vintage lens enthusiasts. Its smooth manual focus and aperture rings provide a tactile experience, giving you full control over your creative vision. Whether you’re capturing sweeping vistas or intimate street scenes, the Olympus OM Zuiko Auto-W 28mm F2.8 lens delivers a delightful combination of vintage charm and exceptional optical performance that will elevate your photography to new heights.
The Olympus OM Zuiko Auto-W 50mm F1.8 lens is a legendary piece of vintage glass that continues to enchant photographers to this day. With its classic 50mm focal length, it offers a versatile perspective that is ideal for a wide range of subjects, from portraits to street photography. The fast maximum aperture of F1.8 allows for impressive low-light capabilities, enabling you to capture stunning images even in challenging lighting conditions. The lens produces images with exceptional sharpness and clarity, rendering fine details with precision. Its shallow depth of field at wider apertures creates a beautiful background blur, making your subjects pop with a delightful bokeh effect. The manual focus ring provides a smooth and precise feel, allowing for a hands-on and immersive shooting experience. Whether you’re a vintage lens aficionado or a photography enthusiast, the Olympus OM Zuiko Auto-W 50mm F1.8 lens is a timeless gem that will add a touch of elegance and artistry to your photographic journey.
The Canon FD 50mm F1.8 lens is a classic gem cherished by photographers around the world. Renowned for its exceptional image quality and versatility, this lens has stood the test of time. With its 50mm focal length, it offers a natural field of view, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of photography genres, from portraits to street photography. The fast maximum aperture of F1.8 allows for impressive low-light performance, capturing images with remarkable clarity and detail even in challenging lighting conditions. The lens produces beautifully sharp images with vibrant colors and excellent contrast. Its shallow depth of field creates a pleasing separation between the subject and the background, producing a creamy bokeh that adds a touch of magic to your photographs. The Canon FD 50mm F1.8 lens is also known for its robust build quality and smooth manual focus ring, providing a satisfying tactile experience. Whether you’re a vintage lens enthusiast or a modern-day photographer, this lens is a reliable and timeless companion that will help you capture stunning images with a touch of nostalgia and undeniable quality.
My personal favourite, a family hand-me-down, which has seen better days but it has sentimental value, so it’s goes where I go…
The Porst Color Reflex Auto 55mm F1.4 lens is a hidden gem that deserves recognition among vintage lens enthusiasts. With its wide maximum aperture of F1.4, this lens brings a world of creative possibilities to your fingertips. The 55mm focal length offers a versatile perspective, making it suitable for various genres of photography, from portraits to street scenes. The lens captures images with impressive sharpness and rich, vibrant colors, adding a touch of character to your shots. Its wide aperture not only excels in low-light conditions but also creates a beautiful shallow depth of field, allowing for exquisite subject isolation and dreamy bokeh. The manual focus ring provides smooth and precise control, offering a hands-on experience that vintage lens enthusiasts adore. Whether you’re embracing the nostalgia of film photography or exploring the artistry of manual lenses, the Porst Color Reflex Auto 55mm F1.4 lens delivers a combination of exceptional optical performance and vintage charm that will captivate your photographic journey.
Adapting vintage lenses to your camera can transport you back to a bygone era, but let’s not forget the pitfalls that come with this retro obsession. These lenses may have skipped a few classes in lens university, leaving them lacking in the fancy features and cutting-edge technologies of their modern counterparts. So, prepare for a bumpy manual focus ride and potential image quality hiccups like chromatic aberration or lens flare, adding some retro charm to your shots. And remember, these lenses have no clue about weather sealing, so be ready to shield them from the elements.
But hey, if you’re up for the challenge of manual focus acrobatics, adapter hunting, and compatibility roulette, grab that vintage lens and embark on a nostalgic adventure. Just don’t forget to keep calm and carry on, there is a learning curve for everything.