MF lenses for use with G1?

[robert_thommes1]

<p>Is there any sort of conscensus for brands of older manual focus lenses to use on a MFT Panasonic G1(or any MFT camera, for that matter)? I'm considering purchasing a couple MF lenses, and would like some guidence as to brand of lens and perhaps specific focal length. I'm guessing that prime lenses would be preferred over zooms; since primes were better than zoom (in IQ) in the MF lens days. <br>

I currently only have a 14-42mm "kit" lens. I'm looking to try and get into this MF lens field by spending as little as possible at first. So, basically, I'm wanting suggestions that are GOOD and CHEAP. I wish to purchase only one adapter for now. Is there a good source for acquiring such lenses other than Ebay? Thanks</p>

[starvy]

<p>Russian LTM lenses might be the way to go for cheap as long as you are willing to accept that quality control is poor.</p>

[leslie_cheung]

<p>IMO you are way too late in the adaptering legacy lens game. I say just adapt what you already own instead of acquiring new legacy lenses. Tough Konica (slr), minolta md, and m42 lenses value aren't go up too mccuh probably...</p>

[robert_thommes1]

<p>I only have a few Canon EF lenses, and they do not "adapt" well to the G1 because of the electrical connection. I understand that there is an adapter, but it's near $500. That's way to expensive for just a fun phase of photography-----for me, at least.</p>

[mark_stephan2]

<p>Go with Canon's new FD lenses. They are cheap and work quite well on my G1. Buy the adapter and a 50 f1.8 and you're on your way with a minimal investment. I own a bunch of FD and new FD primes and they delivery stunning photo's as long as I do my part. Best part is, my 300, 400 and 500 mirror lens act like a 600 f4, 800 f4.5 and a 1000 f8 mirror lens. It's a lot of fun too!</p>

[leslie_cheung]

 

<blockquote>

<p>Go with Canon's new FD lenses</p>

</blockquote>

<p>They still make these?</p>

 

[ukhov]

<p>Robert ,if you can read IQ on m4/3 -you all ready man , is no advise can be needed for sure!....but in any case go from 35 focal to 80 ,kind of slowly to be in too sure!</p>

[SCL]

<p>Leslie - the "new" definition on Canon FD (FDn) lenses merely differentiates them from the bayonet mount earlier versions. Production of FD/FDn lenses ceased shortly after the EOS cameras appeared on the scene.</p>

[ariel_s1]

<p>Well, the adapted lens prices are already way shooting up because of the current NEX, Panasonic, Olympus, and Samsung users, but your best bet is the "dead" mounts; those for which there are no digital mount cameras for them in production. Canon FD, Konica AR (Hexanon), Minolta SR (Rokkor MC and MD lenses), etc.</p>

[rdm]

<p>Well I tell ya, you got a great camera there, to use legacy lenses on. I Purchased my G1 as my 1st digital interchangeable lens camera purchase, because I refused to sell all my fast and High Quality Minolta and Canon mount manual focus Glass . Also i wasn't going to get a system unless I could use them on it. SO when i could finally afford to purchase the G1 i did so without a native µ4/3 lens. I used it for the first year with just My Rokkor/Minolta Glass adapted to it since i only had a few FD lenses i purchased that adapter later. but i tell you I did not notice any IQ difference between similar lenses from both systems. But for my Canon FD 50mm 1.2 lens i have no Minolta equivalent to compare it to. But I feel the Bokeh on my Minolta MC 50mm 1.4 is better than my Canon FD 50mm 1.4 lens. And the Minolta lenses for the most part seem lighter too.</p>

[machts gut]

<p>I would have an eye on M42 thread lenses, esp. Pentacon, Yashica, Pentax. Cheap and of very good quality.</p>

[robert_thommes1]

<p>Is the M42 adapter good for those 3 brands? Any other brands? Is there a sub-brand within Pentax that are their better better MF lenses? Takumar?, or something like that? Or am I way off on that?</p>

[jcuknz]

<p>I believe that Pentax made Takumar and Super Takumars. The ones I have are M42 and originally I used them with an adaptor ring in a K body. The adaptor to M4/3 didn't break the bank at less than $20. The lenses I kept when I auctioned off most of my film gear were the 50mm f/1.4, 135 f/2.8 and a Tokina 90-230 constant f/4.<br>

I also have a couple of EF lenses but of course they are only useful for my APS-C camera which rarely gets used.</p>

[ariel_s1]

<p>Takumar is just what Pentax called their lenses at one time, just like Nikon calls their lenses Nikkor. It's not a special badge or anything. Of course, you could have just quickly verified this by typing "Takumar" into google. All of the lenses that Stefan mentioned are M42 mount lenses, which is why he said "I would have an eye on M42 thread lenses, <strong>esp.</strong> Pentacon, Yashica, Pentax." I think you're way overthinking this. Just buy some lenses.</p>

[fred_c1]

<p>The Takumar name was also used on Pentax 6x7 and single-coated K mount lenses.</p>

[harold_gough]

<p>Some of the early Zuiko lenses have M42 thread. I have a 50mm one somewhere. They are quite rare. You could use them together with other M42s.</p>

[ulrich_brandl]

<p>I would think twice before entering the adapter game today. In the early days of m4/3 prices of legacy lenses were low and only few m4/3 lenses available. Now you can get very good primes designed for m4/3, some at reasonable prices. I have tried several 50mm primes, Olympus (OM 1.8/50) and Zeiss (ZM Planar 2/50) glass among these. None of these could keep up with the current m4/3 45mm Zuiko, both in terms of sharpness and bokeh. The only convincing results I have seen were those with Leica M glass, but these lenses have insane prices, even used. The only adapted lens I sometimes use is a 90mm Leica lens, but this comes from my existing collection...</p>

[andix]

<p>I for one found a Tamron 90/2.5 and a Canon 50/1.4 - both in mint condition and for less than I was expecting. Luckily I also have a cheap source of relatively decent adapters (Google is your friend.) The Canon is absolutely amazing. True, I've gotten myself a new hobby (scouring second hand listings and visiting thrift stores periodically) but it was totally worth it.<br>

There is no "mother of them all" adapter / brand, unfortunately. But keeping in mind that the adapters are about $10-20 a pop and ship for free US Continental, I found it easier to stick one adapter per lens and leave it there. This way it doesn't matter what brand of lens I'm using - they're ready to go at any given time.</p>