Manual lenses on AF bodies

ChrisR

ChrisR

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I'm not sure if this is a general enough question to make sense, but here goes anyway. Some of you know I've got a couple of Pentax manual bodies (ME and MX), and a small but growing collection of manual lenses. I've been thinking of getting an autofocus body (eyes on a MZ-S), and maybe even one of those digeri thingies. I've never yet owned an autofocus SLR type body, hence the question.

I've suddenly realised (d'oh!) that autofocus bodies tend not to have focusing screens of the type I've been used to (split image, microprism etc). Yes, you can buy some 3rd party screens for some bodies, but I understand they don't come as standard. Quite what they DO have, I don't know! So my main question is, how hard is it to manually focus a manual lens on an autofocus body?

It also looks like autofocus lenses are almost impossible to manually focus on a manual body, with tiny focusing rings.

Now obviously, you'd buy one or more autofocus lenses to go with the AF body. What I'm trying to find out is if there are really two almost completely separate worlds: manual bodies with manual lenses, and AF bodies with AF lenses. If so, then thinking about AF bodies takes a very different character where I don't need to think about my existing lenses.

This question may also work if you are a ***on user; I don't know!
 
Don't know about Pentax, but yes, Nikon do it very well. Granted focussing would be easier perhaps with a split prism, but it isn't the end of the world focussing on a ground glass screen. I do it every day with my old 55mm 1.2 on an AF film or Digi body. You can get split prism screens for the F5 & F4. You can't do old MF lenses with Canons as they changed from the old breech lock to whatever you call the eos stuff - EF mount? Do Pentaxes use a souped up K mount for AF? If they do it sounds possible. Or go Nikon! ;)
 
Mf Focus on my D3100 isn't brilliant I usually end up using live view and zooming if the af isn't doing it. It's definitely quicker with the Om's but it's still possible with the digital. The rb doesn't have any fancy focus aids but the view finder is enormous so that isn't really a fair comparison.
 
If you go for a Z1 or an MZ-S you should have no problem focussing manual lenses. I've a Z-1 and the screen is fine for that. From the reviews here, it looks like the standard screen on the MZ-S is similar. They both also have exchangeable screens, so you could look for a split screen if you prefer.
 
I use my pre AI Nikkor lenses on a D3200. The viewfinder isn't as good as the Nikon Fs I usually use them on but I have no problem focusing them.


Steve.
 
OK thanks guys, you're relieving my fears a bit. In the end, I guess I'll have to suck it and see!
 
You could always get a Sony. Focus peaking and focus magnify in the VF make it dead easy to MF. Indeed, I'm switching off AF a lot these days because MF is more precise and I'm not tied to AF points.
 
Personally I struggle sometimes focusing manually on my DSLR....mostly get it right but in some conditions I do struggle a bit.
 
I use all kinds of MF lenses on Canon EOS bodies - just need a suitable mount adapter with or without focus confirm (I prefer the latter when I can). Lot of fun, some interesting effects, not many real bargains out there but all things are relative. And there's a really good forum for MF lenses - a new life in a digital age. And yes, 5x and 10x image mag on the 5DII is a big help when checking Manual Focus without focus confirm beep.
 
Canon EOS are great for manual lenses, well in a meaning of cheap adapters. I have adapters for M42, Pentax SMC and Olympus Zuiko glass. Focusing is a bit hard but something I got used to, I think it's worth it as you can get super good glass for cheap compare to EF lenses.

Have fun :P
 
Cezar said:
Canon EOS are great for manual lenses, well in a meaning of cheap adapters. I have adapters for M42, Pentax SMC and Olympus Zuiko glass. Focusing is a bit hard but something I got used to, I think it's worth it as you can get super good glass for cheap compare to EF lenses.

Have fun :P
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Dont know if its all bodies but my adapted M42 lenses give focus confirmation on the 60D & 1Ds mk1,with wider angles just use the distance scale and the relevant aperture,works perfectly for me
 
AF Viewfinders aren't as large or bright as the MF split ones, so that's an immediate downside. It'll largely depend on your eyesight though. I can just about MF my lenses on my Fuji S5 (Nikon D200, 0.94x 95%) but it's hard work. Even harder on an S3 (Nikon F80, 0.8x 95%). The Pentax MZ-S will be the same, it only has 0.75x magnification 92% coverage vs 0.97 & 92% on the ME and 0.97 & 95% on MX. It's doable but it is a lot harder to hit critical focus than with a proper viewfinder. Swapping between Fuji with 35mm and Olympus OM with 50mm lens is world of difference, despite similar specs.
 
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Digi-wise I use a Sony NEX5 with some pentax k lenses and a cheap manual adaptor. With no lens detected the camera will still meter fine in Av mode or M, and the key usually reserved for ISO switches to enlarged preview for fine focussing. It has a handy feature called Peaking which highlights areas which are in focus. I find a 50mm easy to focus with, but because of the crop factor I more often use a 28mm. The short travel on the focussing ring is a little bit of a pain as it can be a little fiddly to get right, but maybe this is because my 28mm has a bit of a stiff movement. I have only tried telephoto a little, but have found it pretty difficult at arms length, particularly when using a lens with a combined push-pull zoom and focussing ring. A nex 7, or another model with an optional electronic viewfinder might help here though. I realise this won't really help you with your film quandary though...
 
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