A DSLR as a test rig only

Beepaitch · 11-01-2019, 03:41 AM

This might be a mad idea.
Whilst I have no intention of shooting on a DSLR in the near future* - I really do want to test out a bunch of lenses for sharpness, fungus effects, tone etc, and doing so with film is expensive!
So I'm wondering about picking up a nearly-dead K-mount DSLR just so I can do some lens tests, get to know the lenses a bit more that way, then use the 'in the field' on my ME Super.
It wouldn't need AF, or working AF, and I could live without most of the clever newer features. A 6MP unit would serve me fine I think.

I'm not sure exactly what I'm asking... just sharing an idea.

* I've returned to photography for the slow art and tinkering aspects of it. 'digital' ruined this for me previously. Each to their own etc.

**TwoUptons** · 11-01-2019, 03:45 AM

If you're after tests of older lenses, you might want to look for a K30 or K50 with "aperture block failure".
They'll work with older lenses, and they're newer than 6Mp...

-Eric

**BigMackCam** · 11-01-2019, 03:56 AM

For lens testing, you probably want to assess performance across the entire frame of the intended format - so if your intention is to use the lenses on a 35mm film camera, you'd want to use a "full frame" digital body for testing. The cheapest full frame option would be a well-used Sony A7, but that's still going to cost several hundred dollars

zapp · 11-01-2019, 04:01 AM

For tests a DSLR is good enough?

Beepaitch · 11-01-2019, 05:00 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I've posted a wanted

**ismaelg** · 11-01-2019, 06:21 AM

I have seen K20s and early K5s for as low as $100. However, as Mike mentioned, you will not be able to test the complete frame.

Thanks,

E-man · 11-01-2019, 01:09 PM

You would definitely not be testing 'apples to apples' under such a scenario. As others have mentioned, the "crop" sensor on most DSLRs would cause a lens to function somewhat differently on a DSLR than on a 35mm. The effective focal length of a lens on most DSLR bodies is about 1.5x what it is on a 35mm or full frame DSLR. Therefore, a 28mm lens would move from the wide angle to normal view range, equivalent to approximately 42mm, and a 50mm lens would become effectively a short telephoto, equivalent to roughly 75mm.

That said, there are plenty of inexpensive older Pentax DSLR bodies that can be had for relatively little money. The K10D and K200D can sometimes be found in the sub-$100 range, as can entry level bodies like the KX, KR and KM (aka K2000).

11-01-2019, 03:41 AM	#1
Beepaitch Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Gloucestershire, UK Posts: 111	A DSLR as a test rig only This might be a mad idea. Whilst I have no intention of shooting on a DSLR in the near future* - I really do want to test out a bunch of lenses for sharpness, fungus effects, tone etc, and doing so with film is expensive! So I'm wondering about picking up a nearly-dead K-mount DSLR just so I can do some lens tests, get to know the lenses a bit more that way, then use the 'in the field' on my ME Super. It wouldn't need AF, or working AF, and I could live without most of the clever newer features. A 6MP unit would serve me fine I think. I'm not sure exactly what I'm asking... just sharing an idea. * I've returned to photography for the slow art and tinkering aspects of it. 'digital' ruined this for me previously. Each to their own etc.

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11-01-2019, 03:45 AM	#2
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,210	If you're after tests of older lenses, you might want to look for a K30 or K50 with "aperture block failure". They'll work with older lenses, and they're newer than 6Mp... -Eric

11-01-2019, 03:56 AM	#3
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,659	For lens testing, you probably want to assess performance across the entire frame of the intended format - so if your intention is to use the lenses on a 35mm film camera, you'd want to use a "full frame" digital body for testing. The cheapest full frame option would be a well-used Sony A7, but that's still going to cost several hundred dollars

11-01-2019, 04:01 AM	#4
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	For tests a DSLR is good enough?

11-01-2019, 05:00 AM	#5
Beepaitch Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Gloucestershire, UK Posts: 111 Original Poster	Thanks for the suggestions. I've posted a wanted

11-01-2019, 06:21 AM	#6
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	I have seen K20s and early K5s for as low as $100. However, as Mike mentioned, you will not be able to test the complete frame. Thanks,

11-01-2019, 01:09 PM	#7
E-man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 678	You would definitely not be testing 'apples to apples' under such a scenario. As others have mentioned, the "crop" sensor on most DSLRs would cause a lens to function somewhat differently on a DSLR than on a 35mm. The effective focal length of a lens on most DSLR bodies is about 1.5x what it is on a 35mm or full frame DSLR. Therefore, a 28mm lens would move from the wide angle to normal view range, equivalent to approximately 42mm, and a 50mm lens would become effectively a short telephoto, equivalent to roughly 75mm. That said, there are plenty of inexpensive older Pentax DSLR bodies that can be had for relatively little money. The K10D and K200D can sometimes be found in the sub-$100 range, as can entry level bodies like the KX, KR and KM (aka K2000).

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