Old AF kit lenses on DSLR ?

[dee]

I realise that IQ is important to all of you here .

I have excellent lenses for the M8 / X-Pro 1 and a 35f1.8 for the Sonys.

However , I am also content to add inexpensive [ £30 each ] AF kit lenses for both the Sonys and the Pentax K10D , plus a pair of Olympus lenses for the 4/3rds L1 etc .
Indeed , the Minolta 35-80 seems better than the Sony kit lens !! At f8 ,I really don't see much loss with Pentax lenses either .

To me , this means that I use the cameras more and can accept the loss of IQ .

Is a compromise too far for most ?

dee

 

[radi(c)al_cam]

Is a compromise too far for most ?

Not at all, IMHO.

I do like adaptations very much, but I'm completely inexperienced with all that stuff that was invented after my birth — autofocus, digital etc. (however, I could imagine to buy a subminiature folding autofocus TLR, even a digital one! 😉) —, nevertheless , I'd suggest: try it!

 

[pvdhaar]

To me , this means that I use the cameras more and can accept the loss of IQ .

Is a compromise too far for most ?

A good kit lens is a good lens, some are even remarkably good, so that's no problem. In my experience, the weak point is the adapter. If the adapter doesn't sit right on the camera, or the lens doesn't mount securely on the adapter, you'll have a wobbly combination that's no fun to use. I've got a Kipon adapter for Nikon-F to Sony-E, and both sides don't sit tight, so no matter how good a lens I mount, the result leaves a lot to be desired..

 

[unixrevolution]

I realise that IQ is important to all of you here .

I have excellent lenses for the M8 / X-Pro 1 and a 35f1.8 for the Sonys.

However , I am also content to add inexpensive [ £30 each ] AF kit lenses for both the Sonys and the Pentax K10D , plus a pair of Olympus lenses for the 4/3rds L1 etc .
Indeed , the Minolta 35-80 seems better than the Sony kit lens !! At f8 ,I really don't see much loss with Pentax lenses either .

To me , this means that I use the cameras more and can accept the loss of IQ .

Is a compromise too far for most ?

dee

The main problem with a kit lens designed for film on a DSLR is that (typically) the Kit Lens is designed for 35mm and the cameras has an aps-c sensor. This means the lens is larger and heavier than it needs to be, and that the zoom range, rather than being a wide-to-slightly-tele, is a Wide-side-of-normal-to-very-long-tele.

But many of these lenses were well constructed, sharp and the AF/AE functions work fine. I know in the case of my Pentax they do. And if your DSLR is a smaller sensor than the original camera had, you're shooting just the center, the sharpest part, of the image circle.

If your camera takes a native mount from an old film system (EOS/Pentax KAF2/Minolta A to Sony A) You're set. If you need an adapter, as cautioned above, make sure it's a good one.

I do enjoy adapting lenses. I have a Sony NEX5-N that came with an 18-55 kit lens. I don't even know where the native lens is right now! It always wears Pentax K or Leica M glass.

 

[dee]

Both Sony and Pentax accept lenses designed for 35mm AF cameras , many are really cheap , I have no idea if they are of the same quality as earlier manual lenses , but my 'gold/silver Pentax lenses seem OK to me , and the Minolta 35-70 is amazing !
dee

 

[unixrevolution]

Both Sony and Pentax accept lenses designed for 35mm AF cameras , many are really cheap , I have no idea if they are of the same quality as earlier manual lenses , but my 'gold/silver Pentax lenses seem OK to me , and the Minolta 35-70 is amazing !
dee

Indeed, as i said. as for Pentax, the Pentaxforums.com site has a lens review section. you can scope out which ones are the really good performers, as they can be hit and miss.

 

[dee]

Thanks unixrevolution - I have the excellent FA 35-80 plus the OK FA 80-200 .
The 35-80 seems a match for the Minolta 35-80 , which is fine by me .
The K10D is semi-retired , but I wanted the opportunity to take it out sometimes with additional lenses - at not much outlay !!
dee

 

[Pioneer]

The K10D is one of my few digital cameras and I use mine regularly. I installed a Katzeye Focus Screen some time ago and love using some of my old M42 Takumars with it. The camera is just large and heavy enough that it balances very well most of those older lenses.

As unixrevolution has already mentioned, the PentaxForums lens review pages are a super resource but I find that a lot of the information provided by the reviewers is oriented to using some of the older lenses on digital cameras. That sometimes makes the overall rating of the lens a bit off kilter sometimes as people can rate the lens differently depending on whether they are being used with digital sensors or with film. It is best to scan through the reviews themselves to get a sense of how the lens will perform for you.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

...Indeed , the Minolta 35-80 seems better than the Sony kit lens !!

All it tells me - Sony kit lens must be real crap.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

FWIW, I use older Nikkor AF lenses on my Nikon DSLRs with good results.

Considerations:
- APS size vs. 35mm film size
- Cover glass over the sensor on the DSLR

Read this article by Roger Cicala of Lens Rentals. TL;DR The glass makes a difference, it's more an issue for RF wides, less for SLR lenses, less for normals and teles. I use adapted older lenses on my mirrorless bodies. But, the article makes me think that optimal performance will come from a lens designed for your camera system.

My guess: Older Minolta AF lenses will do a great job on your Sony A mount cameras.