Fast old wides for DSLR

[agour]

Hey!

I'm thinking of going fullframe and getting a canon 5D. Now, I don't have a whole load of money to throw on L glass, so I'm considering buying some old manual focus lenses and using the adapters.

I'm not anal about laser precise sharpness, nor will I cry if there is a little bit of flare. I know that I will be restricted with the older lenses, but I figure if I'm going to get some, I might as well do it properly...

My only requirements are 35mm or less, and f2.8 or faster. I do shoot wide open often, so something that has reasonable sharpness at that end would be good!

Any ideas of cheapish lenses that might be worth buying? I could probably afford up to about £100 for a suitable one.

Thanks,
-agour

 

[Phil_F_NM]

The very best option would be to find a Canon FD mount 24mm f/1.4 SSC or L series lens and have the mount modified to an EOS mount. One of the finest lenses and one of the great tragedies of the move from FD to EOS mount.
Seen here:
http://www.4photos.de/camera-diy/Canon-newFD_24_1.4L-EF-mount-conversion.html

Cheaper ways to go would be the Pentax Takumars in M42 screwmount but you have to watch out for your mirror. The fastest of the Takumars and a few other M42 mount lenses have rear elements or rear element shrouds that will contact the 5D mirror. (The aforementioned 24/1.4 doesn't touch the mirror.)
Leica R 35mm Summicrons and some of the Contax SLR fast wides can easily be adapted to EOS using simple brass adapters with no lens modification. You could even use Nikon fast wides but you'll have to watch out for the stop-down lug contacting the 5D mirror again.
Good luck!

Phil Forrest

 

[Dirk]

One of the best 28mm lenses, in addition to the already-mentioned Takumars and Zeiss-Contaxes (even though the latter don't conform to your budget) are the Yashica ML 28mm 2.8 and ML 35mm 2.8. Also the Tokina RMC 28mm 2.8 in a mount that can easily be adapted to EOS. You may even be able to swing a Vivitar 28mm 2.0 Close Focus for that kind of money. Check Ebay for latest prices.

 

[Dirk]

Oh, I almost forgot another good one: The Tamron 28mm 2.5 Adaptall 2. You can buy a cheap Chinese Tamron to EOS converter on Ebay and voila! it's sharp with good contrast and color, for just a few quid.