My preset lenses on a digital SLR??

[Godfrey]

The Pany and Oly DSLRs are now a thing of the past, but their current Micro4/3 systems, which lack the reflex mirror that defines the "SLR" whether digital or not, also accept the M42 thread mount lenses via adapters. ...

There are plenty of Panasonic and Olympus DSLRs still available and working beautifully. And the Olympus E-5 is still a current, new product. I use an Olympus E-1, made in October 2003, as my main DSLR body. It still produces lovely results. Here, using a Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Micro AF-D lens:

​

So don't say these cameras are a "thing of the past." The E-1, E-3 and E-5 bodies make superb bodies for some lenses, particularly telephotos. Good viewfinder, crisp focusing, very good metering.

I didn't point to the Micro-FourThirds or NEX cameras purely because the OP said DSLR. I used adapted lenses on my Panasonic G1 for a couple of years with excellent results. They're even easier to use on the TTL mirrorless cameras, in general.

G

 

[f16sunshine]

the camera shop is steering you into buying new. Adapting "legacy" Lenses to Canon 5Dii is a snap! Pentax and sony also are easy. Nikon has a long register distance so your M42 pre-sets will not work for normal use.

Buy high quality adapters with the latest AF Emulating chip. Install High Contrast Focus screen (Either the Canon screen or third party for other cameras). Then, just adapt a steady workflow.

Use AE and adjust for Backlight or desired Exposure using Exposure comp.
Focus first at wide open
Stop down to desired Aperture
Shoot

I have one AF lens and have adpated nearly all of my Zeiss Contax and Zuiko kit to the Canons.

Distagon 2.8/35(contax)

Distagon 1.4/35 (Rollei)

Pancolar 1.8/80 (M42 DDR Zeiss)

 

[ZorkiKat]

The M42 1.4/50 Takumar adapted on a Samsung NX200. A bit O/T since the original query was about old lenses on DSLRs. However, the original thought did say that the point was about using the old lenses on digital media. Mirrorless cameras offer some extra flexibility when it comes to adapting and using old lenses.

I have not found objectionable over-all flaring with the 1.4/50 Takumar though. It's one of my favourite lenses for portraiture. Both have been post processed for colour grading.

Lens adaptation allowed focus qualities like the ones in these photos to be had with a Samsung, without buying other lenses.

 

[oceanpriest]

+1 for Super Takumar 50/1.4 M42, used this lens on Pentax K-x

for aps-c dslr it seems Pentax K5iis (without antialias filter) offers really good value

if you don't mind the absence of optical viewfinder, Pentax k-01 is really affordable (315 usd with da 40mm xs during last amazon's promotion, same sensor as K5 but a fraction of its price), and focus confirmation really helps for manual focusing

 

[jet1944]

I am using olympus and M42 lenses on my old Canon Eos because I already had them and I can not afford the real thing,you can get adapters for almost anything off Ebay

 

[Peter_Jones]

Just playing devil's advocate here 😉

Camera shop staff often have to hedge their bets - if for example a customer was told "yes, no problems adapting X,Y or Z lens to A,B or C camera" and then had a problem with for example the lens fouling the mirror, or even exposure issues, their finger of blame points at the guy in the store.

Let's face it - we're all enthusiasts and will adjust how we use a particular lens in that situation, under-exposure ? No problem. But put yourself in the salesman's shoes and just imagine having to deal with an irate customer whose first line is "You told me...." :bang:



Anyway, back to the OP's question, go for it. There seem to be plenty of adaptors around for Canon, Pentax (K20/30 rather than KX/KR) are a good choice. Most adaptors for Nikon seem to need the extra lens to allow infinity focussing - IQ depends on this lens being good quality - even if it is, it's adding another 2 surfaces to the optical path. Some lenses (Leica R, Contax/Yashica) can use a Leitax mount on a Nikon with good results.

For M42 I'd go Pentax for APS-C or a Canon 5D for full-frame goodness.