One of the most impactful mental breakthroughs that improved my photography was stepping away from autofocus and shooting old manual lenses. Beautiful work Westy.
Yeah same for me. Now when I use autofocus lenses it feels awkward. It's just a bit more fun doing all manual. Especially because old vintage lenses are not so expensive
I've only played around with this with a few lenses and not a whole lot, but the one I've tried that I felt gave me the most satisfaction was a Minolta 50mm f/1.4 ROKKOR-X (MD mount).
Love how you're keeping it all real, all honest. As I recently started sharing POV street photography videos on my channel, your videos definitely inspire me! Thanks for sharing your videos and your insights, keep going!
After a rough time at the day-job followed by what will likely be a full evening editing about 1.5k wedding photos, It's nice to take a break and just watch a thoughtful and peaceful photography session like this. I love adapting my canon FD lenses to my mirrorless cameras, definitely makes you slow down a bit but they add wonderful character that newer lenses seem to lack in my opinion.
I just want to share here that after longing for a camera and laptop since I was 13, I am now (at 19) finally going to purchase both of those things. I studied photography for the last three years since it’s something I’m super passionate about, and the school luckily provided a lended camera and laptop during our studies. During that time, I learnt how to use a camera, the different angles and focal lengths that I like, how light affects the images, editing etc. Basically, a bunch of what I know now. I even had my first photo exhibition and it went great! I’ve gone on to earn some money doing smaller photography gigs, but ever since graduating this spring I’ve been left without a camera or laptop… In a way, it was needed. I felt like I wasn’t evolving as a photographer and that almost all my photos felt recycled. I was having a bit of photographer’s block, you could say. But during this summer, working away from home and living alone for the first time, I’ve regained my drive and passionate feelings for photography and I couldn’t be more excited about moving forward! I plan on studying photography in college since it’s what I really want to dedicate my life to (at least based on my feelings for it these past six years), and so now that I will have my camera and laptop I will be able to do so. I also have a project in mind for the coming months, maybe for the coming year. Your videos have helped me regain my motivation so much and you’ve provided a lot of new knowledge for me. Thank you, Faizal! (i’m getting the xt-3😌)
Dude I’ve been blessed with my X-T3 for three years now, can’t believe it’s been that long, and after all these years, I still freaking love it, I’m still blown away by the results I get from it, the colors are sublime. Definitely an insane value for the money now. I hope you make amazing work with it. Cheers! 🥂
@@wilsonlee5372 Thank you so much! I’m very excited to see the results and feel what the body is like since I only have experience with Canon cameras and an old Pentax analog camera. Thanks for the input!
My first fujifilm camera (proper camera actually) was the X-E1 and the lens i got with it was an adapted lens, auto chinon 50mm. Loved it. Still have it.
I’m using the original Fujifilm Leica M to X mount adaptor for my 50mm Summicron-M on the X-Pro3. The benefit of the Fujifilm adaptor is that it features an extra button which opens the mount adaptor settings page in the menu system with a single press. This makes switching manual lenses a lot more covenient.
I have the following FotoDiox adapters for mounting my manual focus film lenses on my Fuji X-Pro1 and X-Pro2 digital bodies: Nikon F to Fuji X Leica M to Fuji X Pentax M42 to Fuji X However, these are the adapted lenses I use most often: Nikon 28mm f/4 perspective control Nikon 55mm f/3.5 macro Nikon 105mm f/2.8 macro Nikon 400mm f/5.6 Nikon 500mm f/4 Nikon 1000mm f/11 Zeiss 135mm f/2 (Nikon F mount)
I love using vintage lens with my XT4, as you said it slows you down and makes you more selective too. Who cares if you miss a few shots the process makes it all worth while. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and journey. Stay safe 👍📷👍
Nice one westie! I've been shooting nearly mosts of my wedding jobs on vintage lenses. You should try Focal Reducer. It's really a gamechanger for me to not actually moving to fullframe yet! I used Viltrox EF Mount because it already have electronic pins. I still can adapt M42, Pentax, and Nikon lenses on it.
I have a GFX 50SII and I’m using my Hasselblad V lenses and my Mamiya M645 lenses on it. The adapters are inexpensive and work very well. With a focus peaking I’m able to more accurately pick my point of focus and the so far the results are great. I also have an adapter to use my Canon EF lenses too if I want the autofocus but I love the results from using my Hasselblad lenses
I love the vintage feel of your videos. Definitely shooting manual forces me into thinking about the shot more, looking at angles and leading lines. This is inspirational stuff. Great work.
This is why I want to get my hands on a Nikon Df just to have that wonderful sensor and be able to use all my old nikon glass. And itr looks the part too
I have only vintage lenses :) Using them to photography with my X-E2 and for video with my Canon camera. Full manual in Fuji gives me analog experience and I like it so much. My favorite are Helios 44-M 58mm F2, RMC Tokina 35-70mm F4 and Mir-1B 37mm F2.8 A lot of shots is missed because I don't have time to change settings and focus on subject in some situation but I think it make that I get more satisfaction from pictures I take
love this! i'm going to boston later this year and seeing your process of shooting there makes me even more excited to get out there and shoot, i really appreciate your style of videos!!
Street is not my expertise style of photography. But, when I've done it, things moved/changed pretty quickly, so unless it's far away enough to hit infinity, I'd be worried about how quickly I could manually focus in that environment. But, I love the aesthetic (on camera and actual image capture).
The lenses have a hyperfocal indicator on them just line the f stop you are using with infinity and it will tell you the depth of field everything will be in focus to infinity It would have been nice to show how that works in your video
Been doing this with a voigtlander 35mm color skopar on my xt2 and it’s been so rad. But now my problem is wanting to buy a ton of m mount lenses to try lol
Shot only with manual adapted on my Sony a7 for 2 years and it reset my entire vision on photography. Definitely recommend if you feel you are in a creative rut!
I have an old Fuji X20 which became my companion in 2013 when I decided I didn't want to carry a Nikon DSLR anymore. Time to update and I think the XE4 is the way I'm heading.
shooting adapted lens is so sweet - and getting certain focal lengths that is maybe too expensive buying a modern AF version and maybe wont use it too often i think its also nice to adapt lens to shoot zone focus way as well.
I like this concept, except for the fact that it is harder/more expensive to find 35mm equivalent lenses for aps-c (should be around 22mm). Except if you like shooting 50mm equivalent (35 on aps-c) and up. Most cheap vintage lenses are 50mm which are like 75mm on aps-c. For this reason I prefer using cheap manual lenses like Meike or 7Artisans or TtArtisan for Fuji, also they tend to be smaller. The downside is the build quality isn't so good compared to most well taken care of vintage lens.
Hey man, great video. After watching these videos of yours I took the dive into digital and got one of these cameras. I have been using a konica Hexar AF for about 14 years, and I am DESPERATE to correct my laziness which I inherited from using the hexar.
I use an Industar-69 because it is compact. Sometimes I use an adapted Nikon 50 mm and a speed-booster adapter. It is too big a combo for my tastes though. I never have had the money to buy Fujifilm lenses. I use the Fujifilm XE-1.
enjoyed your video subscribed, I shoot Olympus glass all primes from the 70s and 80s and get lovely colours from them, I love them on digital and they are excellent using film also. my cameras are an XT30 and a Olympus OM1 looking forward to seeing more from you.......
Great video, thanks! I love the manual focus experience so much! Also, I just love the rendering particular lenses give such as the Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 m-mount. They add something special that can’t be replicated digitally/in post (imo). Another added bonus if you use m-mount is that if you switch camera systems or even go to full frame you don’t have to sell your lenses, just buy another cheap adaptor.
very nice photos! very nice video! I have a lot of vintage glas, my favorite ist the m-rokkor 40mm, voigtländer nokton 50mm 1.5, and the newer ultron 35mm 1.7 and the contax sonnar 90mm 2.8 love your videos, keep shooting
Recently I’ve been using this old Vivitar 28mm 2.8 it’s horrible wide open, and I’m not even sure it has a “look” but it’s super fun and that focal length is a really interesting changed compared to my 35mm focal length of choice
I adapt Takumar and Minolta lenses to E mount I find manual focusing more engaging and enjoyable. Also I petty much always have my GR III in snap focus
Tbh I’ve been trying to understand how these adapters work and I have t really found a good video tutorial on how to search and find the right lenses adapters. It’s all so confusing the abbreviations and all it’d be cool if you made a video detailing the process 😊
I've been shooting alot with some old Canon FD glass recently, mostly the 35mm f/2 and the 55mm f/1.2. Its a really unique experience and the image quality is really nice. Only downside is the weight, the lenses add about 500 grams of extra weight compared to my fujinon f/2 primes. But its a tradeoff that im willing to make for some unique image quality.
Why adapt vintage lenses instead of getting a 7Artisans, TTArtisans, Meike, or a Kamlan lens? I just mean since you’re talking about the “manualness”of the lenses above anything specific to the exact lens you’re using, why not go for something that doesn’t require an adaptor and is also cheap?
Love this. I have a couple "vintage" lenses that were mine since the 80s. Two are from my Ricoh XR-P camera(35-70, 70-210). But my favorites are my two Canon FD lenses(50 f1.8, 135 f3.5). The 135 is especially fun and gives some nice results. I bought that one on eBay in great condition for $35.00. 2 Question: First, where did you find that Minolta M 28mm? I've seen many on eBay, but most are listed in Japan. Secondly, do you use focus peaking or zone focusing with manual lenses for street? Thanks again, have a great week!
@@charliejg goodwill auctions is where I got mine. Minolta Rokkor-X 28mm F2.8. Got it for like 25 bucks. Great condition. Got a few different Minolta 50's from the same place. Not sure if you've scoped that out. Think the 50's came from big lens lots. Have to really look at the pics and figure out what you are gonna end up with.
Nice video. I've always been a fan of the Voigtlander 35mm Nokton "Classic" on my Fuji cameras. The lens is tiny and fast (f1.4). There is also a version of this lens with more modern coatings, but the "classic" one is really nice on a digital sensor because it adds a little bit of softness and highlight glow to your image - sort of like having a low-level diffusion filter added. It helps make the images look less "digital". But it's still a sharp lens. Looks really great on an X-Pro or XE-style body. Also just want to say I appreciate the production value of this video, super clean and pleasant to watch! Do you have someone with you on the streets doing those slow zooms when you are in the frame, or is that something you can automate?
I have several vintage manual nikon ais and leica mount lenses sitting in my dry cabinet since I got the x100v last month (thanks to the influence of Faizal)... Now I think I'm going to spend the weekend researching on the XE4 with my arsenal of vintage glass. So I've got a couple of quick questions which I hope someone could answer: 1. How's the manual focusing through the EVF? 2. If I get the XE4, should I ditch the x100v? Heck, I've got the Nikon Df too... I think I might just sell it also! HELP!
Eating alone in public is not only good for street photography but just for sense of self. I know it was a joke, but for me it’s actually something I really cherish.
Ah, stop complaining about the cost of film. Portra is not the only film around. I just bought fresh Fuji 200 ("Gold" relabeled) in the 3x36 pack for USD16.99 plus tax from a local store (in store only offer). I stocked up with 16 3-packs, they still have plenty. That is ~USD5.33 per roll. Film never was much cheaper and even in its glory days it sometimes cost as much as the equivalent of today's USD10 for a roll of film. Just be a smart buyer. Don't shoot film with a Winogrand attitude when you can't afford it. It's that easy. Like you said, there is NOTHING wrong with shooting digital and make your images look like you want them to look.