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Which digital SLR for old M42/Contax/LeicaR lenses?

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andy evans

A

I have a Canon EOS 10D digital SLR which I use with a collection of old M42/Contax/LeicaR lenses.

My son is in design college and wants an updated digital SLR with video capability but the ability to still use these fine old lenses. Or at least some of them. Smaller size would be a bonus.

He's looking at the Canon range. And also Pentax K-5 which seems to have adapters available for M42 and Leica R.

What would you recommend we look at? I'm a bit out of date with latest models.

Follow Ups:

RE: Which digital SLR for old M42/Contax/LeicaR lenses? - mrdavis842 14:35:17 02/22/13 (0)
Hi Andy,

I don't really know off hand if there are adapters for all the lenses you mentioned for one brand of camera but you might try a quick check on eBay (a good source for adapters) searching using keywords like adapter + M42 + Canon and your other lenses and brands you are interested in.

The lower end Nikon, Canon, Pentax and Sony Alpha DSLRs have gotten smaller but they are still big compared to a digital mirrorless interchangable lens camera (ILC) so if your son is not set on a DSLR I would definitely consider one. I know, for instance, the Sony NEX mirrorless cameras (with APS-C sensor) will take a full frame lens and there are adapters for legacy glass (Minolta, Canon, Leica, etc.) for them. The Fuji APS-C sensor mirrorless cameras are another that will take full frame legacy glass. Pretty much all the cameras will have video capability.

Here are some sites that I think will really help you guys out with your camera choice (plenty of reviews and forums with very knowledgeable people and owners/enthusiasts/professionals comments):

http://www.dpreview.com/

http://www.dcresource.com/

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/

http://www.imaging-resource.com/
Get the new Sony NEX-6 - Jon L 09:42:32 10/24/12 (0)
Many feel NEX-6 is actually the better camera than the flagship NEX-7, and its new 16-50mm kit lens is reportedly a very nice improvement. $1000 including the 16-50mm lens is a nice price, and there exist all kinds of adapters to use NEX with M42/Leica and pretty much any legacy lens one can think of. These mirrorless cameras are smaller than DSLR's and so may not impress with body size, but there really is no advantage to DSLR's these days.
Ships in November.
As far as Canon, I am a Canon user and shoot 5D MkIII mainly due to my large collection of Canon L glass, but Canon has been lagging behind others too much in sensor tech, i.e. Sony, Nikon (using Sony sensors), and Fuji. Canon also tends to overcharge for what one gets, i.e. $800 body-only EOS-M they announced that still uses the tired old 18 MP sensor..
- NEX-6 (Open in New Window)
Edits: 10/24/12 10/24/12
RE: Which digital SLR for old M42/Contax/LeicaR lenses? - Hornlover 14:49:15 10/15/12 (0)
If the lenses fit the Canon mount (or if you have an adapter for the Canon mount), I would stay with Canon. Check out the 5D III. It gets good reviews. If that is to much, check out any of the less expensive models with the features you want. They should all perform better than your older model.

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