Can you explain using legacy lenses with a Fuji X series camera?

[CSG123]

I was thinking of the X-E2S or, possibly, the X-T10 or X-T1 as the body. While I would order one with the 18-55 kit lens, I have some old OM Zuiko lenses from my OM-1 days and a 50mm DR Summicron from my M4. Other than buying an adapter or two, what do I need to know?

Thanks for whatever advice you can offer!

 

[shawn]

If you buy the no glass adapters your lens field of view will be subject to the 1.5 crop factor of the APS-C sensor. If you buy something like the Speedbooster or Lens turbo II the crop factor is mostly negated.

Shawn

 

[ruby.monkey]

Enable the option to shoot without lens. Everything else is adjust to taste.

 

[narsuitus]

Thanks for whatever advice you can offer!

When I first got my X body, I adapted my Nikon and Pentax legacy lenses. Worked fine for a while until I started needing faster focusing. I eventually replaced most of my legacy lenses with auto focus Fuji lenses. The only legacy lenses I did not replace were the macro lenses and the lenses longer than 300mm.

 

[CSG123]

Thanks for the replies so far. I understand the crop factor (not new to digital cameras) but I still don't quite understand how to adapt these to the camera's brain. These lenses have been sitting unused (save for the Leica) for a good ten years or more and I thought that it might be a kick to try them with a modern digital. I understand the need for the adapter but how do I set the camera to work with a legacy lens? Manual focus is just fine for me for the stuff I'd shoot with these.

 

[FrankS]

Use full manual or aperture preferred exposure control.

 

[segedi]

I use an X-T1 that I bought used and with a Leica M adapter (Kipon brand). I also have a Nikon F to M adapter so tried stacking those and it works but the quality isn't that great.

How I do it:
Ensure camera is setup to fire with no lens detected, necessary for legacy lenses
Set focal length in menu for exif info
Attach adapter to body
Attach lens
Select aperture on lens
Look through EVF and focus
Make amazing photos

I also set a minimum usable shutter speed in the settings and set the shutter speed to auto. Or, I set a desired speed, based on intent, and set ISO to auto.

What I like:
Multiple types of focus aids, but I prefer focus peaking which the X-T1 handles well.

Focus magnification, which I've set to a button on the back.

Focus point selection, which I also use for AF lenses. Choosing a point allows you to magnify the area where you want - great for off center composition.

Focusing with an EVF eliminates any issues with lens calibration as experienced with SLRs.

What I don't like:
Manually focusing on Fujis. The experience on any EVF different than with a rangefinder. And the Fuji lenses are really good and AF focus nicely.

Focus peaking works well, but best wide open and best with magnification. So you need to stop down after you focus which makes the process longer. I'm very comfortable and satisfied with focusing rangefinders, but surprisingly prefer AF and native lenses on these types of systems.

Image quality can suffer. The 'magical' character of some of your favorite old lenses often isn't there. Digital is more demanding and shows flaws in the lenses and adapters. And the look of the focal lengths you are familiar with is different due to the crop factor.

Having said all that, the images produced with a 50mm summilux is very nice. Same for the 35 and 75mm summarits. These are rather modern lenses though.

I've found AF to be nice and manually focusing the XF lenses to be nice as well. Especially with the DOF scale in the viewfinder. The lenses lack a scale on the lens, but the electronic version, in my opinion, is superior.

 

[Kent]

It's an absolutely amazing experience. Enjoy!

 

[jarski]

Thanks for whatever advice you can offer!

consider also Sony A7 series. you could capture full image circle, instead of crop from the middle.

native lenses usually give more consistent result and are easier to use, regardless which brand is used.

 

[daveleo]

I have 4 native Fuji lenses and 7 or 8 (plus one in the mail) adapted lenses. Minolta, Zeiss Jena, Pentax, Konica, Sigma, Jupiter, Steinheil.
Inexpensive ($20) adapters on each lens.
Love the experience, and I shoot (what...) 75% of my stuff with these lenses.
The process slows you down for a few seconds and induces you to rethink what you are about to shoot.
I rank the Minolta MC 50mm/f1.4 right there with the Fuji 35mm/f1.4 - and for $100-$125 on EBAY that's a dream !!
Another plus is that old lenses are "forward compatible" - you just buy a new $20 adapter for your next digital camera body. Your native focus-by-wire Fuji lenses are never going to work on (say) a Sony camera.

 

[css9450]

Be alert for adapters which either a) focus past infinity, or, b) won't focus all the way to infinity (which is worse). I have some of each.

 

[Dwig]

Be alert for adapters which either a) focus past infinity, or, b) won't focus all the way to infinity (which is worse). I have some of each.

Adapters that focus past infinity are not a real problem unless you need to be able to set infinity by feel.

If you need for focus by scale, it's a simple matter of establishing a new index mark for the focus scale by focusing the lens to infinity using the EVF and noting where the lens' infinity mark sits, a chore you have to do only once.

 

[Ken Ford]

This is of interest to me, too (hi, Chris!) - I'm researching moving to an X-Pro2 from a NEX7 and although I'd probably be using native Fuji glass most of the time I'd like to also be able to use my M, Oly and Nikon lenses on occasion. The NEX makes using adapted lenses easy - I assume doing it on Fuji is very similar?

 

[css9450]

Adapters that focus past infinity are not a real problem unless you need to be able to set infinity by feel.

Exactly. Its best to spend some time "getting to know" each new lens and adapter combination.

 

[CSG123]

Thanks for the additional replies (and hi, Ken!). I guess one of the things that I can't wrap my head around is that my Zuiko lenses have a shutter speed dial on them which is controlled in the old OM bodies. Do I understand that this would be bypassed on an X body and by using aperture priority, the camera would select shutter speed?

 

[shawn]

This is of interest to me, too (hi, Chris!) - I'm researching moving to an X-Pro2 from a NEX7 and although I'd probably be using native Fuji glass most of the time I'd like to also be able to use my M, Oly and Nikon lenses on occasion. The NEX makes using adapted lenses easy - I assume doing it on Fuji is very similar?

Very easy to use them on the X Pro 2. For the Nikon glass you can use a basic adapter or also use one that acts as a focal reducer to get your FOV almost the same as with full frame. Not all lenses will work with them though.

XP2's ERF mode is fantastic for adapted glass. You get the OVF and can still MF your lens at the same time.

Shawn

 

[FrankS]

Thanks for the additional replies (and hi, Ken!). I guess one of the things that I can't wrap my head around is that my Zuiko lenses have a shutter speed dial on them which is controlled in the old OM bodies. Do I understand that this would be bypassed on an X body and by using aperture priority, the camera would select shutter speed?

Your confusion is understandable given your misconception: The Olympus OM shutter speed dial is on the camera body, not on the lens.

 

[CSG123]

Um, I'm not confused, Frank. I'm looking at the OM-1 I've had since 1978 with a 50mm Zuiko 1.8 lens. The shutter speed ring is on the lens. The body has an ASA dial.

 

[Graybeard]

My strong preference is for an M Leica (M3, an M4 if you really insist, or an M6) with modern glass (Hexanon M 50/f2, Zeiss ZM 50.f2, and, off course the Summicon 50/f2). A Leica iiiF with a Canon 50mm/f1.8 or a Nikkor 50mm/f2 might also tempt me (the Canon maybe more so, I was shooting with one of those in 1964 (excuse me if I digress).

That being said, I've recently acquired an x pro 1 (at the current fire sale prices, who can resist). I've been taken in.

Permit me to offer these comments on the use of the x pro with legacy glass. I use my collection of Leica glass and legacy Japanese optics with inexpensive adaptors (Rainbowimaging, really decent stuff from this vendor)

One has to see/evaluate/appreciate the quality of images produced by the x pro 1 using the Leica Summicron 40mm/f2 and/or its twin/clone/gentotype , the Rokkor Leica 40mm/f2. This is a 60mm (35mm format equivalent) and perfectly useable and practical on the x pro (IMHO, of course and please don't think otherwise) for normal shooting.

The numbers work out that the "normal" lenses of the 1960-970's era (50-58mm f1.4 to f2) function as really attractive short telephotos for the x pro (83mm t0 87 mm (effective 35mm format equivalent) when one allows for the difference in sensor dimension. On a good day, a fellow might buy a 50-58mm legacy lens for USD10 (be a sport, go for USD$16 if the seller is intransient, I like the Super Takumars and Rokkors) . These seems attractive, to me at least, for a really fast (f1.4 to f 1.8) high quality short telephoto. I really admire my Super Takumar 50mm/f2 on the Rainbowimaging adaptor.

For wide angles, the SLR legacy lenses don't offer much. Spend your oney on modern optics here.

 

[lawrence]

Um, I'm not confused, Frank. I'm looking at the OM-1 I've had since 1978 with a 50mm Zuiko 1.8 lens. The shutter speed ring is on the lens. The body has an ASA dial.

How strange. I had an OM-1 back then and the dial was on the body, albeit round the lens mount. When I removed the lens the dial stayed put.