A while ago, I borrowed a Canon 5D MKII camera from a friend, to take some photos with my Minolta 24-35mm lens and a few other 3D-printed adapted vintage manual lenses, like the 1946 Kershaw 100mm. But then, I decided to buy a used one for myself, mainly to use those old M42 lenses at their original focal lengths, and to experiment with the camera and full frame.
The experiment is based on an article I read a while ago, and for me it has to do with full frame and taking better photos with micro 4/3 cameras, at least, that’s the intention 🙂 – the experiment is still in its early stages , so this may take some time.
But first, why a full frame DSLR ? because the larger flange mount sensor distance makes it much more difficult or sometimes almost impossible to use lenses other than the original EF lenses. Well, that’s true, but there are exceptions such as M42, which works just fine, also Olympus OM, and for my Minolta MD lenses I have an adapter with an adjustment lens, yes I know the latter is not ideal, but it gives more options. Wouldn’t a mirrorless full frame be more interesting ? yes, but also a much higher cost. The most interesting choice for a full frame as intended here is a Sony a7 – but second-hand it easily costs €400 to €500. And for that money you have to pay close attention, many of those second-hand Sonys have already been heavily (mis)used and it is not a type of camera that has a very high build quality. The Canon 5D, on the other hand, can take a beating. On top of that, you can find older EF lenses for cheap.
My 2008 Canon 5D MKII is a 21-megapixel full-frame camera with 46,000 shots taken, and I managed to snag it for €250. The camera came with two batteries, and also a Canon 28mm and Canon 75-300mm zoom lens to go with it. Focusing manualy without features like focus peaking or magnification in a regular optical viewfinder isn’t easy, so I also purchased a Pixco lens mount adapter for MD-EOS with an AF-3 confirmation chip (€30). When paired with one of my Minolta MD lenses, it shows a red AF focus point, indicating whether the focus is correct or not, which is really handy!
I also invested in a standard Compact Flash Type I Card converter/adapter to an SD-HC or SD-XC card (€15), this way I can also use my regular SD cards on the Canon 5D – also really handy, especially for transferring photos taken.
The photo gallery of Open Source Photography, Olympus micro 4/3 system, Vintage Lens Photograpy, Film Simulation, PictureFX, HDR – Photographer : Marc R.
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I have decided that when I get a M42 adaptor for my Yashica 50mm, I will pick up occasional M42 mount lenses when I can but stay away from 50mm which I always tend to get because they are so cheap!
Looking forward to your adventure with this Canon 🙏
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Thanks Mark, a camera like yours would be super great for shooting with adapters and old lenses, unfortunately too expensive for me for an experiment. But if I were a different type of photographer, I would most likely choose a Nikon Z6II like yours.
Thanks for commenting Mark and have a great day !
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Congratulation for this deal. The Canon 5D MKII is really a good camera. You will have a lot of fun …
Best regards
Bernhard
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Thank you Bernhard, well, it is mainly intended to do what micro 4/3 is less suitable for.
A mirrorless full frame would have been better, but my budget doesn’t stretch far enough for that 🙂
Have a nice evening Bernhard !
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