[•] Recommending vintage lenses to build a photographers kit.

Photo: Canon FD line up.

Canon FD lenses have been my go to for over a decade. If you were to start photography the following lenses I would recommend as a dream photographers kit. FD 24mm F2.8, FD 28mm F2.8, FD 35mm F2.8, FD 50mm 1.4, FD 135mm F3.5

Photo: Photographers Kit Bag.

My preferred personal kit contains – FD 24mm F2.8, FD 28mm F2, FD 35mm F2 Concave, FD 55mm 1.2, FD 135mm F2.5

Mirrorless has been declared the future by Nikon with their upcoming release. I enjoy the advantages of using second hand lenses as you can have five lenses and a camera for a well rounded price and not blow the budget. If you purchase a base model mirrorless like the Sony A7 or A7II and adaptor plus the five lenses I have recommended I think you would be shocked at how good a setup you would have.

Forget worrying about autofocus as the new features allow digital punch in to help you focus. A recent friend purchased the A7 and was gifted a few Pentax lenses his late uncle used to photograph with that his uncle used in his professional career. There's always some family member with one or two lenses from the 1980's and maybe it's worth a try to ask if they want them. And on a side note my friend said they now prefer manual focusing to using a new lens with auto focus.

So depending on your situation you could end up with Nikon, Canon, Pentax or Minolta as a kit. Keep an eye out for focal lengths starting from 20mm upto 135mm. I prefer primes and there are a few vintage zooms that are very good also.

Photo: Sony A7II with Canon FD 55mm 1.2S.S.C

Sometimes whats old can be new again and if that new lens that costs over $1000 isn't going to cover all your needs just keep in mind that older lenses can well and truly open the door for you.

Regards,

[•] p 🔺 z r 🔺 h n

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