Can you use digital lenses on autofocus film cameras?

beagley · 02-18-2009, 10:42 PM

I know the digital lenses would not cover the full film frame, but this might look really good for certain wide angle shots. Has anyone tried whether the digital lenses will mount and operate on late model film cameras such as Zx-5n or ist*?

elkarrde · 02-19-2009, 01:15 AM

i tested DA18-55 kit lens on non-autofocus camera (P5), and it worked flawlessly.

DA lenses should work with no problems on autofocus film cameras, they work as FA-J lenses - consider that you have no aperture ring, so "digital" lenses are permanently stuck in A mode.

montecarlo · 02-19-2009, 01:26 AM

on Pentax p50 Forum Fotomozaic / Obiectiv Pentax-DA 18-55 pe camera "full frame" (the 18-55 DA kit lens) - from ~25mm (->55) the vignetting disappears.

A camera which can control the sperture through the body would be more recommended. Practicly Pentax DA = Pentax FAJ . Only the first one is for DX format and the second for FX/35mm. So, any FAJ able camera would do.

titrisol · 02-19-2009, 07:49 AM

Run a search, this was discussed around Xmas....
FOUND IT: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/32081-mz-7-min...houghts-2.html

I tried the 17-55 Da in a MZ/ZX7 and it worked flawlessly.
Vignetting dissapeared 35mm for me.

Nesster · 02-19-2009, 08:24 AM

I bought the 16-45 before I had a digital, and it works great on my ZX-10. Vignetting starts around 22mm, but I like the effect. It actually seems sharper on film than on digital.

Here's a sample of the same scene zoomed in and out

I also use the lens with the Program Plus - any program camera will at least do the Program mode with these lenses.

Nowhere Matt · 02-19-2009, 08:25 AM

I tried my 50-200 DA on my ZX-60 and yes it does mount of course but there was the vignetting at the short end as well.

Chris.Nielsen · 02-23-2009, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by elkarrde

i tested DA18-55 kit lens on non-autofocus camera (P5), and it worked flawlessly.

DA lenses should work with no problems on autofocus film cameras, they work as FA-J lenses - consider that you have no aperture ring, so "digital" lenses are permanently stuck in A mode.

And it is possible to go to Tv-priority and implicit controlling the aperture. If you want deep depth of field, select a longer shuttertime than if you want shallow depth of field.

Blue · 02-26-2009, 07:29 AM

FA lenses will work on the for sure.

k100d · 02-26-2009, 07:43 AM

best to find a camera w/ built-in aperture control, ZX-L or PZ-1 and *ist come to mind

titrisol · 02-26-2009, 01:11 PM

The ZX7/70 do this as well

Originally posted by k100d

best to find a camera w/ built-in aperture control, ZX-L or PZ-1 and *ist come to mind

Nesster · 02-27-2009, 03:54 AM

DA70 limited on ZX-10, Kodak BW400CN

This is full frame, I think the lens holds detail and sharpness well to the edges.

With the ZX-10 I have program mode (with the scene modes giving me some control over aperture) and shutter priority, except the radial switch that controls the modes/speeds only works in one direction... so I shoot using scene modes

pentaxmz · 03-02-2009, 10:18 PM

Originally posted by beagley

I know the digital lenses would not cover the full film frame, but this might look really good for certain wide angle shots. Has anyone tried whether the digital lenses will mount and operate on late model film cameras such as Zx-5n or ist*?

Just like some others have stated, Yes, but it is not recommended because of vignetting, edge lens distortion, and lens barrel appearance (at its default or shortest focal lengths); there are already some great examples of this.

You can go the other way, that is, a full frame 35mm lens on a digital (APS-C) camera. The only difference is that the full frame lens will appear longer than its stated focal length. The multiplication factor is determined by the actual size of the imaging sensor. For Pentax DSLR's, the multiplication factor is x1.53. In other words, a 50mm full frame lens will seem like a 76.5mm (or nearly portrait fl). Obviously, the longer the lens, the more dramatic the difference is (e.g. 500mm becomes 763mm).

It's all good going from full from to APS-C but going from APS-C to full frame is not always good. BTW, going from APS-C to full frame, you will need to divide by 1.53.

jgredline · 03-02-2009, 10:26 PM

The 18-55 kit lens on a K1000

titrisol · 03-03-2009, 03:59 AM

You'll have problems in the "short"end i.e. below 50mm almost for sure
Above 50mm the image circle should be similar to the 35mm if not larger.

Adnd the 70mm limited is a FF lens me thinks .

02-18-2009, 10:42 PM	#1
beagley New Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 19	Can you use digital lenses on autofocus film cameras? I know the digital lenses would not cover the full film frame, but this might look really good for certain wide angle shots. Has anyone tried whether the digital lenses will mount and operate on late model film cameras such as Zx-5n or ist*?

03-02-2009, 10:18 PM	#12
pentaxmz Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 659	Originally posted by beagley I know the digital lenses would not cover the full film frame, but this might look really good for certain wide angle shots. Has anyone tried whether the digital lenses will mount and operate on late model film cameras such as Zx-5n or ist? Just like some others have stated, Yes, but it is not recommended because of vignetting, edge lens distortion, and lens barrel appearance (at its default or shortest focal lengths); there are already some great examples of this. You can go the other way, that is, a full frame 35mm lens on a digital (APS-C) camera. The only difference is that the full frame lens will appear longer than its stated focal length. The multiplication factor is determined by the actual size of the imaging sensor. For Pentax DSLR's, the multiplication factor is x1.53. In other words, a 50mm full frame lens will seem like a 76.5mm (or nearly portrait fl). Obviously, the longer the lens, the more dramatic the difference is (e.g. 500mm becomes 763mm). It's all good going from full from to APS-C but going from APS-C to full frame is not always good. BTW, going from APS-C to full frame, you will need to divide by 1.53. Last edited by pentaxmz; 03-02-2009 at 11:05 PM. Reason: added clarification when vig.. and edge distort. occurs*

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02-19-2009, 01:15 AM	#2
elkarrde Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 387	i tested DA18-55 kit lens on non-autofocus camera (P5), and it worked flawlessly. DA lenses should work with no problems on autofocus film cameras, they work as FA-J lenses - consider that you have no aperture ring, so "digital" lenses are permanently stuck in A mode.

02-19-2009, 01:26 AM	#3
montecarlo Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 161	on Pentax p50 Forum Fotomozaic / Obiectiv Pentax-DA 18-55 pe camera "full frame" (the 18-55 DA kit lens) - from ~25mm (->55) the vignetting disappears. A camera which can control the sperture through the body would be more recommended. Practicly Pentax DA = Pentax FAJ . Only the first one is for DX format and the second for FX/35mm. So, any FAJ able camera would do.

02-19-2009, 07:49 AM	#4
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,854	Run a search, this was discussed around Xmas.... FOUND IT: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-film-slr-discussion/32081-mz-7-min...houghts-2.html I tried the 17-55 Da in a MZ/ZX7 and it worked flawlessly. Vignetting dissapeared 35mm for me.

02-19-2009, 08:24 AM	#5
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	I bought the 16-45 before I had a digital, and it works great on my ZX-10. Vignetting starts around 22mm, but I like the effect. It actually seems sharper on film than on digital. Here's a sample of the same scene zoomed in and out I also use the lens with the Program Plus - any program camera will at least do the Program mode with these lenses.

02-19-2009, 08:25 AM	#6
Nowhere Matt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nowhere Land Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,362	I tried my 50-200 DA on my ZX-60 and yes it does mount of course but there was the vignetting at the short end as well.

02-23-2009, 03:02 PM	#7
Chris.Nielsen New Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Aalborg, Denmark Posts: 20	Originally posted by elkarrde i tested DA18-55 kit lens on non-autofocus camera (P5), and it worked flawlessly. DA lenses should work with no problems on autofocus film cameras, they work as FA-J lenses - consider that you have no aperture ring, so "digital" lenses are permanently stuck in A mode. And it is possible to go to Tv-priority and implicit controlling the aperture. If you want deep depth of field, select a longer shuttertime than if you want shallow depth of field.

02-26-2009, 07:29 AM	#8
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	FA lenses will work on the for sure.

02-26-2009, 07:43 AM	#9
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	best to find a camera w/ built-in aperture control, ZX-L or PZ-1 and *ist come to mind

02-26-2009, 01:11 PM	#10
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,854	The ZX7/70 do this as well Originally posted by k100d best to find a camera w/ built-in aperture control, ZX-L or PZ-1 and *ist come to mind

02-27-2009, 03:54 AM	#11
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	DA70 limited on ZX-10, Kodak BW400CN This is full frame, I think the lens holds detail and sharpness well to the edges. With the ZX-10 I have program mode (with the scene modes giving me some control over aperture) and shutter priority, except the radial switch that controls the modes/speeds only works in one direction... so I shoot using scene modes

03-02-2009, 10:26 PM	#13
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	The 18-55 kit lens on a K1000

03-03-2009, 03:59 AM	#14
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,854	You'll have problems in the "short"end i.e. below 50mm almost for sure Above 50mm the image circle should be similar to the 35mm if not larger. Adnd the 70mm limited is a FF lens me thinks .