Nikon Lens - Canon Body (manual aperture)

[XEasyTarget]

I really need a lens with a manual aperture ring on it, so I've been looking at the Nikon 50mm f1.8 D.

I've been looking around the net, but can't find any clarification that this lens has complete manual control of the aperture with the ring on the lens? If I used an adapter to connect this lens to a canon 550d, could I use manual focus and manual aperture to control it?

This is the adapter I will be using:
Fotodiox Lens Mount Adapter, Nikon Lens to Canon EOS: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

This is the lens is question:
Nikon 50mm F1.8D AF Nikkor Lens: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics


Thanks

[OsmosisStudios]

Here's a bigger question: What on earth for? Video?

[TheMoons678]

Silly and pointless. The 50mm 1.8D isn't THAT much better than the canon 50mm 1.8 II that would make it worth getting an adapter and losing AF.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by TheMoons678

Silly and pointless. The 50mm 1.8D isn't THAT much better than the canon 50mm 1.8 II that would make it worth getting an adapter and losing AF.

Like I said, the only reason I can imagine is for video: manual aperture control means it's repeatable and it'd be manual focus anyway. That said, there's very little reason unless you're working with some VERY serious constraints and, in those cases, it'd be better to have proper CINE lenses.

[XEasyTarget]

You're correct, this is for video.

Losing manual focus will not affect me, and being able to manually control the aperture means I can use macro rings, and still be able to control the aperture, Correct?

[XEasyTarget]

Sorry to double post - I can't edit that post

That should say "Losing Auto focus..."

[OsmosisStudios]

Extension rings? Depends on the rings. You can find some that have AE prongs that allow you to use lenses that dont have aperture rings (like Canon's 50mm f/1.8).

If you're going to be doing enough of it to get a dedicated setup, though, I'd say just get a Canon 60mm f/2.8 macro and save yourself a whole heap of trouble.

Even with video, you dont need manual aperture control; if the only reason for wanting manual aperture control is to use extension rings, as i said, there are options

[inkista]

Yes, any adapted lens with an aperture ring will give you manual control of aperture and focus. In fact, that's all you'll have, and you will be limited to shooting in M and Av because of this. It's a limitation, not an added feature, really.

With Nikon lenses, you are looking for the absence of the "G". Nikon G lenses, like EOS lenses, have no aperture rings.

If you want super-cheap vintage Nikon glass, go look for "non-AI" or "pre-AI" lenses--those are the oldest F-mount lenses you can adapt on Canon, and require modification to be used safely on current prosumer Nikon dSLRs. They do not require modification for use on Canon dSLRs.

You can also look for M42 (aka Pentax screwmount or Pentax threadmount) lenses, Pentax K, Olympus OM, Contax/Yashica (Zeiss!), or Leica-R lenses. You are not limited to Nikon lenses for this. M42 mount is liable to yield up the cheapest possible Zeiss glass; the Zeiss Jenas.

Any old manual focus lens is going to beat the pants off the EF 50mm f/1.8 II when it comes to precision and control of manual focus. The 50/1.8 II's manual focus ring sucks. And if there's one lens you can find in just about any 35mm film camera mount system for notta lotta cash, it's a fast 50.

[XEasyTarget]

Inkista - Thank you, that's just the info I was looking for!

I have been using a M42 pentacon 50mm (that had a manual aperture ring) which is what put the whole idea in my head. This lens was old and mistreated, and so the resulting images were far from sharp.

Are there any specific lenses you would recommend that can match the sharpness of the nikon? (but still have the manual aperture) ?

EDIT: it was a pentacon, not a pentax

[inkista]

Honestly? There's really not a huge amount to choose among 50mm lenses. I'm guessing your Pentax was knocked hard enough for an element to get de-centered or something, because normally any 50mm prime is good and sharp. If you want cheap, I'd recommend looking for the Olympus OM 50mm f/1.8. I picked one up once for $2, but these days, it's probably going to be more in the $40-$60 range. OM gear is small and sharp.

If you want to go spendy and super-sharp, you could try and grab the C/Y Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.7, but those are liable to go in the $200-$300 range these days. No more $100 Zeiss bargains, thanks to film students everywhere. (sigh).