Using old lenses on M43 cameras.

[RaglanSurf]

I have a whole lot of old (classic) lenses that I'd like to use on a digital camera, it needs to be small and have external control not hidden withing menus. Something like a Panasonic GF1.

I appreciate this is now quite old technology so was wondering if anyone could recomend a M43 camera with manual controls under £100

 

[woof woof]

I had a GF1 but replaced it with a G1 as I wasn't happy with back screen shooting. I do think that manual focusing is a lot easier and more accurate with an EVF too. I kept that G1 for years and took thousands of pictures with old film era lenses.

So, my recommendation is something with an EVF and if you're going to be using old manual lenses I suppose just about anything will do including the old G1 and G2 but I'd keep away from shutter shock affected models as I remember trying to use my Minolta Rokkor 50mm f1.2 on my G7 and being surprised to see shutter shock.

Be aware that obviously as MFT is a x2 crop system your focal length will effectively double and a 50mm lens will give you a 100mm equiv FoV.

PS.
If you are prepared to streeeeeetttttch your budget I can recommend the FF Sony A7. I think I'm right in saying this is the cheapest way into FF mirrorless. I have one and I've taken thousands of pictures with old film era primes with it.

 

[JackBell]

I use a Panasonic G2 mainly for the external controls, but, they aren't really small, about the size of a Nikon D3*** series DSLR.

 

[RaglanSurf]

I use a Panasonic G2 mainly for the external controls, but, they aren't really small, about the size of a Nikon D3*** series DSLR.

This is part of the problem I'm trying to avoud cameras that big.

 

[woof woof]

This is part of the problem I'm trying to avoud cameras that big.

You could have a play with the camera size comparison site...

Compact Camera Meter

Compare unlimited number of cameras with lenses, see how compact or bulky a camera is and sort by height, width, depth and weight.

camerasize.com

Sony A7, Nikon D3300, Panasonic G2 and GF1...





There are other small Panasonic cameras. The G100 is a mini SLR design and is small as is the RF style GX80. I have both and can recommend them but they'll both cost more. The smallest could be the GM5 but they're hard to find in good working order and can be expensive.

As above I wouldn't consider a camera without an EVF for manual focus (or even for AF ) but if you are happy to focus on the back screen maybe a GF1 is the answer?

Oh and a PS.
The G1 and G2 are quite compact and light, When I first got the G1 I took it out with the 14-42mm kit lens attached and after using the 5D I honestly stopped and checked the bag to make sure it was still in there.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

I did play with the 500mm Tamron on my E-PL5. The external viewfinder is useful but not essential, given the tilting screen...



The results were reasonably good...

 

[the black fox]

I have used a lot of MF glass on olympus , personally I would look for a body that has built in focus peaking and auto iso it makes the job easy I can even get b.i.f with a Nikon 300mm f4 .. at one point I had 11 old MF lenses . Most now gone but down to 3 one classic o.m ,one Nikon , and one brand new macro from China
One word of advice get decent adaptors it does make a difference I tend to use k& f concept ones

 

[RaglanSurf]

Thanks for all the advice folks, much appreciate. I’ll see if I can get some hands on, may LCE.

 

[Sangoma]

The G3 is probably the smallest, and under £100.
I bought several earlier this year ranging from £20 to £68 (with a lens) (highest shutter count was 1704 on the £20 one)

be patient on ebay, ask questions, and if you get one with a 14-42 lens you will have a useful extra camera

The G2 would be my second choice, it has nice controls, but bigger, and less features (that you probably don't want anyway). I got one for £54 including lens with a shutter count of 1081, and it looks like new.

They have manual controls, but not a dedicated shutter speed dial, but not hidden in menus.

 

[simon ess]

I know they are waaay out of budget but the Fuji Xe series are perfect for what you want.

I have an XE-3. It's tiny and focus peaking is excellent.

 

[woof woof]

The G3 is probably the smallest, and under £100.
I bought several earlier this year ranging from £20 to £68 (with a lens) (highest shutter count was 1704 on the £20 one)

be patient on ebay, ask questions, and if you get one with a 14-42 lens you will have a useful extra camera

The G2 would be my second choice, it has nice controls, but bigger, and less features (that you probably don't want anyway). I got one for £54 including lens with a shutter count of 1081, and it looks like new.

They have manual controls, but not a dedicated shutter speed dial, but not hidden in menus.

I'd forgotten about the G3

 

[jakeblu]

OM-D E-M10 is a great little camera with good manual focusing aids and an decent EVF. Bet you could get one for around your budget.

 

[woof woof]

Just been thinking what I'd go for is just starting with MFT again.

I think I'd bypass anything with shutter shock and anything with a max shutter speed of 1/4,000 as if limited to that you can struggle when taking pictures at wide apertures in good light. I remember how much I hated having to fit and remove ND's when I had the G1. Another thing I'd look at is the EVF. I loved the old G1 but two things were constant annoyances, being limited to 1/4,000 and having to use ND's and the evf as it kicked out so much light that it was uncomfortable to use in low light conditions. It didn't even display a lot of detail as things that were clearly visible by eye were just black in the evf despite the evf producing a painful amount of light. For none low light use it was ok though.