Odd Lenses on Nikon

homestar_kevin

homestar_kevin

Well-known member
So I got into Nikon through buying Nikkor lenses for a 35mm adapter and then really went down the rabbit whole on the Canon t2i.

I bought the d7100 last summer and have been loving it.

However, I don't know what it is, but I really really liked using alternative lenses on the canon. The nikons were perfect.

I really like how they looked on the Canon.

I still enjoy the way they perform and I have those as a base/bread and butter set.

I do want some weird and obscure or at least alternative lens options though.

This is where Nikon seems to not really be a solid option consider the flange distance.

I know all that. I get it.

Now that that's out of the way, what options do we have?

Obviously a lot of third parties manufacturers produce Nikon mount lenses (Zeiss, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, Rokinon, etc.)

What else is out there? or are there any lenses that CAN be adapted to Nikon?

I didn't think so, but recently have found DKL mount Schneider Lenses made for Kodak Retina Reflex that can be adapted to Nikon.

I bought the 28mm f/4, 50mm f/1.9, and 135mm f/4 and adapter and have really liked them so far, but have not done anything extensive with them yet.

I also like the old Tamron Adaptail stuff.


Anyone else putting weird lenses in front of their cameras?
 
PerroneFord said:
I really enjoy the M42 mount lenses. Look into that. I love my Fuji EBC but there are many others out there.
Click to expand...

Yup, plenty of inexpensive M42s out there: Super Takumar, Yashinon, Helios & Zenit, and that Fuji EBC is great. You do need an M42 adapter with a built-in infinity lens--otherwise no infinity focus. I've got one from Fotodiox.
 
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I should also mention that I'm no stranger to lenses and have had most common brands over the years and used them on Canon.

Olympus OM, m42, Pentax K mount, Contax mount I've done them all to canon, but have not tried any on Nikon.

I've always been so put off of adapters with optical elements and am still leary to go that way.

How have your guys experience with using these adapters been?

I hadn't heard or thought of using Medium Format stuff on Nikon.

So that's pretty much any Pentacon 6 mount stuff?

That seems interesting.
 
Ive used mamiya glass, mainly becuase the huge image circle is good for 'whacking' or tilt shift adapters

Go mental.. google zoerkendorfer!

S
 
PerroneFord said:
M42 needs no glass to be adapted.
Click to expand...


Any links to the adapter you're using?

The majority I've found have optical elements to allow infinity focus.

Do you get the full focus range of the lenses?

I have some m42 stuff that I would love to be able to use on my d7100

Thanks
 
You know what. Let me verify that.

-P


homestar_kevin said:
Any links to the adapter you're using?

The majority I've found have optical elements to allow infinity focus.

Do you get the full focus range of the lenses?

I have some m42 stuff that I would love to be able to use on my d7100

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
Wanted to update this. I put my M42 glass on the Nikon adapter and connected it to my D3s. It DID NOT focus to infinity. So that is something to bear in mind. I hope that information helps others.
 
I believe Leica has some lenses that you can get mod kits for to adapt to Nikon. This requires the back end to be replaced rather than using an adapter (FFD too close I guess). I believe it is the Leica R models but it's been a while since I did my research. I do remember that the conversion is a simple replacement and is reversible.
 
Y'know, between Nikkor and Leica, old t-mount glass, aftermarket stuff, Nikon's pretty covered for quality lenses and good lenses with character. Doesn't blow my dress up like crazier stuff.

I just found a like-new promaster 28mm 2.8, Nikon AIS mount for .99 cents. I'm thinking I'll tear it down, polish off the coatings, and paint all the internal sections silver. It'll be my super-flares-from-hell lens. I'm more interested in glass that gives a really strong "effect", organically. Kinda has to be cheap though, it's usually a "one project only" thing when you get a really intense look.

I did manage to mount a Holga wide lens to my rails with a spring and a black felt "sleeve" so I could lens-whack it. Very cool lensbaby look with some crazy CA.

I shot a music video once with one of those soccer-mom "wide angle" video camera converters on a 28mm AIS. Sharp center, blurred edges with gobs of CA as you got out of the image center. Really looked beautiful, and the flares were freaking cool. I really want to try it on a full frame body sometime, if I was seeing that much junk on APS-C...
 
Yeah, I still have my Nikkors and use them daily.

But, I am looking to grab some other stuff, like I really loved using the Helios 58mm on the canon, debating whether it's even worth it to get an m42-F adapter or just a Nikon mount version of the Helios.

I did get the 28, 20, 135 set of the 50's Schneider lenses and am just really starting to test them out.

Think that'll do for awhile.

But it's really good to hear about options and discussion of these lenses
 
I love my vintage Leica-R lens set. Nicely sharp, with gorgeous bokeh, and an interesting character (I like the blooming and the flare). Haven't used them much on Nikon bodies, but they are as good on my NEX and on a BMC as they were on my old Canon (actually, they are better on the NEX, thanks to the speedbooster).

Samples here and here. Tests here and here. Important comments here.

Also: beware of crazy lens acquisition syndrome. It has taken many young souls...
 
I use a smorgasbord of lenses. I guess the oddest one I use is a Hasselblad 80mm 2.8 (made by Zeiss). Some old Nikon AI/AIS lenses really hold their own, has anyone compared sharpness and other optical factors of medium format glass with old Nikon glass, or is it even apparent in 1080P? Also, has anyone somehow adapted view camera lenses to a DSLR (I don't mean adapting a DSLR to a view camera).
 
Ditto on the Leica R... Older Summicrons and Elmarits are borderline affordable, and darned good glass with impeccable function and construction. I modified my set with relatively inexpensive Fotodiox mount replacements, simple screwdriver job.

also so don't forget the numerous third party lenses available in Nikon mount. Amongst my favorites are Vivitar Series 1 lenses from the 70s, particularly the super-varifocal 28-90/2.8-3.5
 
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