Choose your camera

[Nailoaben]

Hi,
I just love taking photos but I find phone limitating - I would love to have more lenses (not phone lenses).

...sooooo...

I'm looking for a camera I used to have a SLR with manual lenses so no need for AF. [I think I might have the old camera and lenses somewhere]
I want small and good camera on which I might use vintage lenses (if I find them).

Any suggestions?

If I find the lenses - I'll post the list.

[MrPhil]

I'm not sure how interchangeable the old SLR lenses were. For example, Nikon might have a different mount than Canon. If you have a valuable collection of old lenses, be sure to check whether they will work with a proposed new DSLR body before spending money on the body. Not just will they attach, but will they function (diaphragm, etc.).

I still have an old SLR and lenses gathering dust somewhere. What I'd love is a drop-in digital film back (contains its own battery) that would act like a roll of film to the camera, but could be removed and downloaded. Does such a thing exist, at an affordable price? I suppose that removing the rear door of the body would be acceptable -- it might even permit an LED screen on the back of the "cartridge". That would be cool.

They're doing some amazing things with "phone" cameras these days, although I wouldn't think that they would meet the capabilities of a real DSLR (focus, f-stop, shutter speed, etc.) for desired effects. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FagEN0_Q784

[Nailoaben]

Ok got them.

Here is the list of the lenses with specs:
Super Takumar 50mm 1.4 https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/Super-Takumar-50mm-F1.4-Early.html
Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm 2.4 https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/carl-zeiss-35mm-f2-4-flektogon-mc.html
Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 75mm 1.5 v2 https://productz.com/en/carl-zeiss-jena-biotar-75mm-f1-5-version-2-lens
Meyer Optik Gorlitz Telefogar 90mm 3.5 http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_1951.html

The first 3 have as far as I know M42 lens mount but the last one is very strange (Altix?).
 I read somewhere that DSLR are tricky because the mirror just takes space and for using vintage lenses the mirrorless cameras are better?

Drop-in digital film back would be amazing if it didnt add so much bulk in the back that makes using viewfinder more difficult. The vintage cameras were amazing.

[MrPhil]

All film SLR cameras have a mirror that swings up out of the way when the shutter is pressed. DSLRs may not even have a mirror, if they're using an LED viewfinder display rather than an "on top" traditional (through-lens) viewfinder. Vintage lenses (for SLRs) would be designed not to interfere with any mirror behind them, which should not be an issue if there is no mirror. The shutter is usually a curtain mechanism in the body (behind the mirror). My concern would be that the mount is compatible, not only securing the lens to the body, but also "passing through" any functions or settings between the lens and the body that it is supposed to.

Probably your best bet is to enquire of someone authoritative (camera shop expert, lens and/or body manufacturer) whether those lenses will work with a given DSLR camera. And get a money-back guarantee if it turns out your lens doesn't work with it. All of these are complex mechanisms, and it's a good chance that just reading websites won't do the job.

[Nailoaben]

Thanks! :-*
I tried to avoid that because I do not trust them ;-) Well maybe I'll try