Beginner's question: will an old lens do just as well?

P

pulp

Active member
I've been looking at grabbing a 50mm 1.4 Canon lens for a T3i for video. I've also heard that there are cheaper options, as well. This said, I'm wondering if, since I will be doing manual focus anyway, an older Canon lens with the same values would do just as well? Thanks.
 
No FD/FL canon glass will work with the T3i or it's equivalents without an added glass attachment reducing video quality.

I would instead consider looking at older Nikon Nikkor manual lenses which are pretty much compatible with anything.
 
Shame decentattempt.org is down. Trying to understand the differences between all the differently lenses, especially when trying to buy older lenses used, is like French to me.
 
The main thing you should be aware of with older lenses is that CA and flaring can be problematic compared to modern lenses. At the moment I don't care since that flare look is "in" right now, but my Nikkor primes flare pretty easily compared to my EOS glass.
 
 
A couple of days ago I was shooting under streetlights with a 50 f/2 Summicron R wide open. Beautifull, and no flaring that I could see, but that's what you get with Leica lenses
 
pulp said:
I've been looking at grabbing a 50mm 1.4 Canon lens for a T3i for video. I've also heard that there are cheaper options, as well. This said, I'm wondering if, since I will be doing manual focus anyway, an older Canon lens with the same values would do just as well? Thanks.
Click to expand...

The best way to find out is for your to buy a vintage 50mm 1.4 lens and try it. Nikon, Zuiko, Pentax are all good choices and cheap. Then take it to your camera dealer and do a side by side test in the store for yourself against the Canon 50mm 1.4. Take the card home and look at it on your computer. If you prefer the modern glass, but it and sell the vintage lens on ebay. Nothing to loose.

Here is one where you get the camera for free with the lens/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Olympus-OM-...644590118?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item43abc47e26
 
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Purple fringing, softness (even in DSLR-video) wide open, the good old stuff is expensive today, "you're late in the game". Cheap & good is the russian M42 lenses, I'm getting kinda sick of them though, aparture failing etc.

Old Nikkors/Ziess is what to buy. Canon FD needs glass element so try before you buy, or rather, buy cheap.
 
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