Vintages Lenses on the Canon M50: Why I do it and YOU should too.

My recommended vintage lenses for the Canon M50 and adapters
M42 Mount Lenses:
EOS-M to M42 adapter (K&F sold out, but this one is very good too) - geni.us/N3Tw
Helios 44M (my favourite) - ebay.us/yHQayn
Helios 44-2 (Batman Movie) - ebay.us/XznVV5
Takumar 135mm (for awesome portraits) - ebay.us/iKYlQz
PK Mount Lenses:
EOS-M to PK Adapter - geni.us/78MMsDt
Zeiss Jena II 24mm f2.8 Macro - ebay.us/caOebk - The lens I shot this video on (can be hard to find)
My Birding lens - Tokina 400mm f5.6 - ebay.us/mXJLTK
Canon FD Lenses:
EOS-M to Canon FD Adapter (K&F sold out, but this one is very good too) - geni.us/02isp
Canon FD Mount lenses (look for Canon Branded Lenses, not 3rd party) 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 135mm are all good - ebay.us/7d1I8P

[@billjohnston9451]

I wanted to especially thank you for this particular video. I'm now 60 and getting back into photography coming from the 35mm film era of the 80s & 90s and this video has reignited my desire to get back into the hobby. I've actually pulled out some of my older lenses and am waiting for my adapter's to arrive to start using the old lenses. It's funny how you're describing the issues of having to learn how to use a manual focus and aperture because for me I was a little intimidated learning how to use our new M50 mark ii. These new cameras are actually computers in themselves all the connectivity WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI amazes me. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experience. Many blessings to you.

[@markwiemels]

Thats so awesome to hear! Thanks for the comment, I hope it's all working for you and you are having a ball.

[@matthewnguyen6961]

This is a game changer.I am seriously getting into photography and recently bought the m50 used.I got the eos-M & EF-S adapter and was wondering this very question. You have helped me understand I can expand to other lenses, especially vintage lenses without having to spend a small fortune.Thanks again and your videos do help beginners like me.

[@jadedsurrealism]

Ha! I've used that trick for years! One time, I was at a flea market and bought a whole camera for the lens and the seller told me that usually people want to just buy the lenses from him so he was surprised I bought the whole camera. My thinking was I didn't want to tip him off that he can just sell the lenses and jack up the price, but of course those people before me had to go and potentially ruin it. This is a secret worth keeping!

[@1kwords]

I've been using vintage lenses exclusively for about 4 years now and I am loving it. They have made me a better photographer and my whole youtube channel is based around shooting vintage glass. Every once in a while I get tempted to move over to more modern optics and try some of the contemporary, auto-focus lenses but due to a variety of reasons I always end up sticking with my Sony a7R mk I and my 40-70 year old lenses.

[@markwiemels]

Great to hear, I subscribed to your channel.

[@1kwords]

@@markwiemels Much obliged.

[@marioamorim9019]

I have a variety of PK and M42 mount vintage lenses and use them on the EOS M50. Manual focus is pretty easy to use. I love these lenses. Thank you for the great video.

[@David_Quinn_Photography]

I love how diverse the photography market is, and how cheaply you can really do photography I have a Canon 100-300 L f5.6 that released in 1989 with the the 1st EOS EF mount for $150 a few years back and damn are photos from that thing amazing and with 3rd parties being allowed to make lenses and adaptors we can realisticly use any lens from any era on our new cameras.

[@pawenowak4676]

You are a very nice man with passion. You prove that photography and fun don't have to be expensive. I have an Olympus OMD em10 ii camera and an OM mount. Tokinas 28mm, 200mm and 400mm as well as you. Shopping is not too expensive, and you certainly do not need long savings to be the owner .... Regards

[@markwiemels]

Nice to hear!

[@kmrahe]

One tidbit I always add when talking about using a manual lens is that they only work on the M50 in Av or M mode. You mentioned Av mode in the video, which is good, but it took me several sessions (with a Meike EF-M 25mm f/1.8) and a few almost-lost important shots to figure out that while the M50 will happily take a photo in P mode with such lenses, exposure is going to be unpredictable, as the camera apparently thinks it has control over the aperture when it actually doesn't.

[@key2adventure]

I have reviewed around 50 different vintage lenses on my Hasselblad X1D II. Now I need to redo it on my travel camera, the Canon M50, what a joy :-) Thanks for your great videos, that made me buy the Canon for travelling light.

[@markwiemels]

Great to hear!

[@continentalgin]

Really good information! Much appreciated!

[@markwiemels]

Thanks, you are very welcome.

[@dans.7693]

I have a set of Canon FL lenses (28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 135mm and 200mm) they use the same FD adapter. I feel like recently, the FD lenses have gone up in price, but if anything, the FL lenses have dropped in price. Also, with any vintage lens, one of the most important things to check for is oily aperture blades. Over time, oil/grease seeps out of the focusing mechanism and in between the aperture blades and will eventually cause them to stick. Fortunately, it's pretty easy to see so you can avoid it. You can try to repair it yourself, but you pretty much have to disassemble the whole lens and clean each blade of the iris individually. Having the lens cleaned and repaired professionally will cost more than what you paid for the lens. If you're interested in lens repair and diving down that rabbit hole, inexpensive vintage lenses are a good place to start. Definitely don't pay full price for a lens that needs that kind of work. Also, love your videos, your explanations are always so spot on.

[@dude890gp]

I have an old tokina 135 on my m100. The images it produces are really nice

[@davidmill7289]

Great video Mark. I’m finding that 28mm is a great focal length for APSC offering 42mm equivalent, just that bit wider than a 35mm offers on APSC.

[@javelinphotography]

For my EOS R, I have an adapted 50 Rokkor vintage and it is by far my favorite. Vintage lenses paired with focus peaking is PB&J. I have a video I recorded with it. I also have a 70-200 vintage Rokkor, the lens from a disposable camera, a Polaroid land camera and a lens from one of those old Polaroid accordion cameras.

[@darumapuq]

Hi Mark! I found your channel and i love all the videos i have watched. Thanks to those videos, yesterday i decided to buy a m50 mkii. And the other day i saw this video, and fell in love of the Helios 44-m… the name “helios” sounded very familiar to me, and today, i woke up in the morning and thaught: “I KNOW!!!!”, Just a few minutes ago, i started looking into old boxes and found my dad’s old ZENIT TTI (the one with the olímpic rings logo) and guess what lens it has???? The HELIOS 44-M!!!!! I can’t describe the happiness and all the memories that brought to me. I videocalled my dad just now, and we share a great laugh and talk. I just want to thank you, for making this video. Without it, this moment in my life will never exist. Greetings from Chile and sorry if my english is not really good. 😅

[@markwiemels]

This is so great! Thank you so much for sharing this story with me, it made my day!

[@cocoscabana]

Thanks again for another great video..... question, as I'm preparing for my moto solo trip to Australia, if you were to take 3 lenses... as I'm on a motorcycle, and vlogging the entire trip.. which 3 and what filters would you take Mark? Thanks in advance ☺

[@citalopram20mg]

Yr a good man. Thank you for all the knowledge. I’m gonna use it and make good art.

[@picabocarecordingstudio9507]

I use Viltrox Speed Booster on which I mount a tin M42 to EF adapter. It’s a fantastic combination. So I get a bigger frame (almost full frame). In this way, the swirl effect is more pronounced. Also, I get a bigger aperture. f2 with this combination becomes f1.4

[@markwiemels]

Yes, I have done that as well, you can get some pretty crazy results.

[@jonathanwheeler8901]

Thanks for the suggestion, have pulled out my old FD lenses and am loving playing with them on my M6 mk2. Just a thought after seeing this video, I have a 45mm EF tilt shift which I use on an adapter (great lens), how about doing a video on using an Olympus OM to EF-m (or Sony E) mount tilt shift adapter. Certainly a cheaper way to get a tilt-shift lens than getting a Canon original? For a few extra bucks you could get an adapter to use it as a standard vintage lens?

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

My mrs dad gave me his old praktika it’s battered bruised well used and abused but I like trying new to me old stuff then I checked the lenses all M42 mount including the Helios 44m happy days happy feckin daze 📷❤️❤️❤️

[@markwiemels]

Good story, thanks for sharing.

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

@@markwiemels all good mate xxx

[@art_by_adrian2913]

Minolta md or mc lenses are amazing I have a 50mm f2 and it is sharper than most of my lenses if not all I'm so obsessed with adapting them and I have a vivatar 70-200 f3.5 but I shoot sony a7iv and a6400 I still enjoyed this video

[@markwiemels]

Thanks, yes, those are some lovely lenses.

[@AndreTardiff]

I was a little down on the canon ef-m series essentially being discontinued, but with a world of vintage lens for cheap, I might just give this a try and keep my canon m6 mk2 and play with the vintage route for fun. Thanks for the vid!

[@markwiemels]

Yea, it's really a cool way to use any mirrorless camera.

[@shedtime_au]

Adapters are relatively cheap. I have several for different lens families.

[@artformaedu]

I happen to have a few Vivitar screw type mounts, I believe T/T2 mounts and I purchased the Fotasy adaptor for my Canon M50. Connection seems good with the camera, but the lens doesn't seem to screw all the way flush onto the mount. But maybe that is how it's supposed to be? Anyhow, I cannot get the thing to focus though the infinity is supposedly guaranteed. One lens that I tried was the Wide-angle 28mm f2.5-22. Just wondering if I am doing something wrong.

[@stampydragon2739]

M42 m/L 39 and lika m lenses as well as FD and any old DSLR mount can be adapted

[@jimdunleavypiano]

Looks like I need to dig out my old Zenith E from the loft and raid the lenses off it. I never realised it would be possible to fit them to a modern camera! :)

[@markwiemels]

Have a blast! I think you will really enjoy the images, and breathing new life into those lenses.

[@jimdunleavypiano]

@@markwiemels Thanks. As it turns out, you shouldn't trust your memory from 40 years ago lol. While everyone else I knew had Zenith Es, I must have bought whatever they had 2nd hand in the camera shop at the time I managed to get the money together and it was a Yashica FX D . Good job I didn't order the adapter yet! Lenses are 50mm F2 fixed and 42-75mm F3.5 zoom. :) It also seems to have an unused film loaded in it.

[@stampydragon2739]

You can also get lika lense adapters if you want to use lika lenses

[@basukisugito3275]

I see you using the Vivitar 400mm f5.6 lens. I have it to but I am really not happy with it, is not usable sharp. You use RMC or SD version?

[@lego_minifig]

Finally got around to snagging a vintage lens for my collection. One thing I noticed when shooting with it is that the image looks really sharp on the display (peaking and zoom features are on) but came out softer when I veiwed the photo later. I noticed that the metadata states the images are being taken in 2271x3179 instead of the usual 4000x6000. Anyone have any idea what causes the loss in quallity? Is it something in the settings or does cannon just reduce the quality if it doesnt detect a connection?

[@AlainLealTeillier]

Justo ayer descubrí esto, en facebook vi cámaras zenit a 20 dólares con lentes helios

[@lego_minifig]

Vintage lenses are also great for macro photography since they are fully manual. All you need is an adapter to mount the lens backwards

[@markwiemels]

Yes, for sure.

[@vgee3926]

Good info👍

[@markwiemels]

Thank you so much!

[@SouthernKansasRailfan]

Will the Chinon 50mm f1.7 work with the 42mm thread mount?

[@michelletorres8466]

hi i bought a vintage vivitar 24mm mc mount lens, what mount do you recommend for my canon m50?

[@filipevilela9398]

Can someone help me with some questions? Can the lens adapter change the focal length? If we use a lens made for 35mm film on a camera like the Canon m50 with a sensor smaller than 35mm, will we have crop problems?

[@PF_Help]

I have sigma lenses of Olympus OM10 Film camera. Can it be compatible on Canon M50

[@i-watch-israel1263]

Hi, I need an adapter that can be used with Minolta SLR lenses on my Canon M50 Mark 2. Any Suggestion??? Thanks 😊

[@oliverbowiebello]

A bit confused about m42 mount lenses…I was looking at a vintage Vivitar online and the description said it was an “m42 Nikon mount”. What does this mean? Will it only mount to a Nikon camera? I have a Canon m50 so I would buy an m42 to canon eos m adapter, but I don’t know if it would work with this “m42 Nikon”

[@markwiemels]

M42 is M42, there is no M42 Nikon mount to my knowledge.

[@loui.e0241]

I have 3 canon fds i dual purpose use in my canon f1 for the mechanical camera communication for the built in lightmeter, and use to adapt to dslr and now mirrorless. I also have one 135mm m42. I have done alot of research for particular good contrast and lense clarity for a great price, and have paid only between 12-26 $ for my copies individually. If u need a youtube channel for help i suggest zenography.

[@markwiemels]

Thanks for the info.

[@WyattChristman]

I have heard the glass on the older lenses is better quality...some time ago I remember seeing some old lens bins in a camera shop for $5 a lens and of course there is the random garage sale however Ebay seems a more consistent bet...for me the key is to have a few core pieces of glass and not get sucked into more otherwise risk having more stuff that might only use every once in awhile. I love how you have gone through this, it might be good to consider doing more beyond the M50 - as in a series covering getting lenses for other popular cameras. Your hack getting a good lens for cheap is good yet I imagine the Ebay sellers are going to wise up eventually...:-)

[@markwiemels]

Thanks for the suggestions. Most of the eBay sellers are just individuals that have found old cameras and put them on eBay, with the real pro sellers you won’t get deals like this.

[@WyattChristman]

@@markwiemels Thanks for the response, makes sense so practically that means as a buyer I need to be willing to spend some time digging and not get discouraged but keep on coming back to look again and again as those professional sellers tend to take up premium space.

[@tylerfields2368]

​@@markwiemelsI have a canon eos rebel sl3 (aps-c)

[@thebkstank2095]

Do you have any issues getting infinity focus to work using your lens on the m50?

[@markwiemels]

No, not at all.

[@drtools9226]

Vintage lenses are great love to fokus manual. You take less but bether Shots in my opinion. And the bokeh on most of the lenses are f*cking great. I hope to get a Start in filiming with it with a smallrig focuser. Love your m50 Videos, greeting from Germany.

[@markwiemels]

Thanks, yes I agree.

[@garrymansfield]

I just tried an old lens for the first time and I'm not sure if you've mentioned but the default setting my m50 had on wouldn't allow me to take a photo. I had to go into the "custom functions" and enable "release shutter w/o lens". Took a lot of google searching to figure that out as I'm quite a noob at the moment haha.

[@markwiemels]

That's a good tip. I should have mentioned that!

[@kbotmac5960]

Glad I saw your comment! I was re-watching to see if he mentioned how to do this.

[@helpfixstupid6190]

With the Helios 44, is there a 35mm equivalent or is it 44? How much do the adaptors change the focal length?

[@markwiemels]

Yah, don’t overthink that side of it. Just need the ef m to m42 adapter and the lens.

[@kanztv996]

Minolta md , mc, and af lenses. Super takumar.

[@markwiemels]

Some of the best lenses, for sure.

[@kanztv996]

@@markwiemels My most of work are done by vintage lenses sir . the only af lenses in my side is the kit lens

[@tanmanproductions8916]

Hi Mr Wiemels! What budget friendly vintage zoom lenses do you recommend for cinematic narrative filmmaking on the m50?

[@markwiemels]

The vintage zooms are not nearly as good at the primes. The tech when it comes to zoom lenses has come a long way in recent years, but the prime lens tech has not changed much. This is why the vintage primes have held up so well, even when using 4k cameras. I would make up a 2 or 3 prime lens set to cover the range. Canon FL, FD, Zeiss Jenna, old Minolta lenses, there are lots of good ones. The is a youtube channel and maybe website, called vintage lenses for video, check that out, he has lots of info.

[@tanmanproductions8916]

@@markwiemels thank you very much! Very informative!

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

Absolutely brilliant video I’m sa hopping around trying to kick my own ass for not thinking about this 🤬 I use the m50 to record video for my channel I dropped the thing a while back and damaged the kit lens but I don’t want to shell out for a new one. Here’s the dumb message part I have a selection of takumar lenses M42 mount which I love I recently bought an adapter so they would fit on my Nikon D3s then I shot a vid or two of the experience on the damaged m50 lens I never twigged about getting an adapter for the m50 Im in boots n all now thanks you just earned a like and a sub xxxxx

[@markwiemels]

Thanks! So good to hear, the M50 is so good with adapted lenses, especially with the manual focus assist options like focus peaking.

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

@@markwiemels spot on mate I'm placing an order I love the M50 as it is but with a 35mm takumar it's gonna be gorgeous. cheers Mark.

[@ianvazquez7160]

Should I use the viltrox speed booster with an ef to m42 adapter to negate the crop factor on the M50 or is it not worth it?

[@picabocarecordingstudio9507]

Yes! I use it! Fantastic combination.

[@markwiemels]

You can, you need to get an EF to M42 adapter.

[@aquarara2610]

Hello, why my y/c lens don't work with my eos m50 mII. I've buyed a fotga adapter. Very thanks if you answer..

[@markwiemels]

In the menu system, operate shutter without lens setting.

[@TheHeraldOfChange]

Been meaning to ask you, have you compared 135mm film system with M50+Viltrox Speedbooster setup? I have a Zenit E with Helios 44-2 2/58 and an Asahi-Pentax Spotmatic F with SMC Takumar 1.8/55 and I'm looking to compare these lenses with a Canon M50+Viltrox Speedbooster+ Canon 1.8/50 IS STM setup, to see if the image quality, character and field of view are similar. I've not seen anyone do this before and was wondering if you have done something like this? I'm not really into making videos some I don't mind asking you publicly, and you already have the gear to try. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter and see some pics if you do try it out.

[@markwiemels]

I have found the speed booster plus vintage lenses, pushes the "character" too far, and and the image quality suffers., but some people might love it. I have not tried it with the 135mm specifically, I have with the helios.

[@TheHeraldOfChange]

@@markwiemels sorry, slight misunderstanding, my bad 135mm film => 35mm full frame format film cameras. I'm not intending to use the vintage lenses with the speedbooster, but use them on their original cameras. The lens I'm using on the M50 and SB, is the EF "Nifty 50"

[@markwiemels]

Similar filed of view, and the booster does degrade the image quality, so that does make it look a bit more like film.

[@PF_Help]

I have Sigma Lenses fitted on Olympus OM 10 Film Camera. Does these suit on Canon M50, if yes which mount I buy.

[@markwiemels]

Not sure, try and google OM10 lens mount. I think the lens should be fine, just need to know the mount.

[@RandomLifeProductions]

Never a lesser lens….. The Batman movie iron glass modded…. So a few grand…. My favourites, Contex Carl Zeiss, Jupiter 9…. As for contrast depends what lens….

[@markwiemels]

Thanks for sharing that.

[@stampydragon2739]

Use a external monitor with focus peaking

[@kaymaepm94]

Hello, good day. Hope you can answer my question. I have an EOS M50 Mark II, it is EF-M and I just bought a lens that is EOS-M. I can't take a photo although it fits. It says f00 and I googled it and it says the problem is the mount. I hope you can help me fix it please. 😢

[@markwiemels]

In the menus, release shutter without lens setting. You can google it.

[@kaymaepm94]

@@markwiemels thank you so much! I got it. 😊😊

[@picabocarecordingstudio9507]

Can you use a magnifier with vintage lenses? When I click on the magnifier, the M50 throws me an error. BTW: the magnifier function works normally with the M100 camera.

[@markwiemels]

I think it should work.

[@picabocarecordingstudio9507]

@@markwiemels Every time I get an Error that turns off my camera as a precaution. Maybe the problem is in some settings, but I don't know which one?

[@johnpatricklim4509]

tried manual focus on my cine lens...have a better appreciation when i took a shot....

[@markwiemels]

Agree, it like it makes you more connected or something.

[@johnpatricklim4509]

​@@markwiemels i panicked first when i tried using a manual focus lens for the first time...i thought there was a compatibility issue or something...that the shutter button didn't work....i didn't know i have to go thru the menu to turn on manual shutter or something...should have include that for those who bought a vintage lens and have the same reaction as i did....

[@cowboy6591]

The reason I am getting into these adapted lenses manual focus is I hate the manual focus ring on the KIT lens that comes with the M50, YUK!!! The older style ring manual style is sold, and does NOT leave me hunting for that perfect focus. The M50 kit lens is a great lens, but not if your a manual focus enthusiast like me.

[@markwiemels]

100% true.

[@ljww9117]

Probably a stupid question, but is the eos-m to pk adapter compatible with the tokina 400m f5.6?

[@markwiemels]

Yes, if the lens is a PK mount, it was made in different mounts, so you have to know what mount the lens has.

[@ljww9117]

Thank you, this is probably going to sound like a stupid question again, how do I tell what kind of mount it has?

[@markwiemels]

@@ljww9117 this can be hard. Ideally the person selling it knows, but other than that it’s just guess work, unless you can show so one that has knowledge of these lenses. I have the same issue myself.

[@ljww9117]

@@markwiemels Thank you so much, you’ve been a big help!

[@shedtime_au]

Speculators have ruined the older lens market unfortunately. Apart from the standard 50mm F1.8 and the ubiquitous zooms, good FD lenses (and even bad Russian M42 lenses) are most likely seen as part of a rehoused cine set at exhorbitant prices, or for rent at movie gear rental places. At current prices I'm more likely to seek regular EF lenses, the price difference is negligible and they will autofocus if needed. Of course, these also become steep when you get to the ones with low f-stops, especially the L series, but for ordinary F1.8 to F3.5 there's little difference in price. The trendmongers have messed things up yet again.

[@danyj.mendez4745]

After seeing this video from B&H, do you think the EF-M line up will be discontinued? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGmbf3xmrKeKfKc

[@markwiemels]

At the launch event for the R7 and R10, Canon said they have no plans to discontinue the EF-M line, and that it is one of their best sellers. This is the strongest statement of support they have made in recent years. I suspect they won’t make it forever, but hard to know how many years is has left.

[@picabocarecordingstudio9507]

So, Focus Peaking works on this old lenses?

[@markwiemels]

Yes, it’s pretty cool. It’s just the camera recognising what is in focus in the image.

[@picabocarecordingstudio9507]

@@markwiemels Thanks! I just bought Helios 44M-4 2/58 in verry good condition for less than 30$. ;)

[@mikebeon2539]

I am a collector (low key hoarder) so the more vintage lenses the better lol

[@markwiemels]

I’m with you, the struggle is real.

[@adamjenkins3032]

so focus peaking doesnt requrie the lense to communicate with the camera??? no reason not to buy these lenses if true tbh

[@markwiemels]

Nope, it’s just the camera identifying what is in focus, when it hits the sensor.

[@adamjenkins3032]

@@markwiemels hasn’t arrived yet but picked up a 135mm f2.8 FD for $15 from eBay from this video

[@markwiemels]

@@adamjenkins3032 omg, you will never lose money on that lens! Well done.

[@jekajeka5412]

Nikkor 80-200?

[@markwiemels]

No, but that is another good one.

[@jekajeka5412]

@@markwiemels ok,👍

[@Skider]

I hear Batman, I buy lol

[@markwiemels]

haha...

[@sftrail4235]

A definite touch of nostalgia but NO!

[@markwiemels]

You might be missing out. In the video I share a lens that was used to shoot the latest Batman move, budget of $185 million. You can find the lens on eBay for $60, and use it on the Canon M50.