Anyone tried using old Nikon, Pentax, Zeiss lenses on Canon?

[Kermit power]

As I understand it, older Canon lenses are a complete sod to try and use on Canon EF or EF-S bodies, but apparently old lenses from the likes of Nikon, Pentax and Zeiss can be used with a cheap adaptor, and you can pick up excellent glass for peanuts so long as you don't mind doing everything manually.

Has anyone given it a go? If so, how did you get on?

I'd love to get something like a 28mm f/1.4 or the like on the cheap for portraits indoors.

[SamHH]

I've used some very cheap M42 mount lenses for a bit of fun. I'm sure the image quality isn't up to much but they work fine. Obviously you have to be very good at manual focussing or not be photographing anything moving. I don't think it's right to describe FD lenses as "a right sod" to use; like I said in your previous thread, you'll need an adapter with an optical element to focus to infinity, but I don't think they're mega expensive.

Have you checked to see how much the lenses you're considering cost? They're certainly cheaper than buying the EF equivalent, but the better ones still aren't what I'd call peanuts. I know eBay can be a bit dodgy but it's a usually a good guide to market prices. Here are a few to give you an idea:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nikon-Nikkor-35mm-f-1-4-AI-S...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARL-ZEISS-JENA-FLEKTOGON-2-...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-FD-50mm-f-1-2L-Profess...

Have a look at this forum as well:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/55

[Kermit power]

Thanks Sam, I'll have a bit more of a look.

From what I'd seen so far, with the exception of the Canon FD converter which seems to go for around £250 upwards second hand, most of the converters for FD seem pretty crappy, whereas a lot of the others don't actually need any glass in them, just a different coupling ring?

[Titanium lover]

In my "local " In London http://www.apertureuk.com/used.htm
many of the guys are playing with Contax lens on Canon DSLR's etc they love the Sharpness of these fantastic lenses . Also the prices of Contax are now going up, so be quick !

Edited by Titanium lover on Monday 23 February 18:47