All of these classic lens mounts can be easily adapted to mirrorless systems — including Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L-Mount, Fujifilm X, and Micro Four Thirds — using inexpensive adapters.
Explore each mount to discover the best vintage lenses:
35mm Mount (Japan)
Canon FD
Brands: Canon
Why It’s Great: Classic Canon glass, great for video, sharp rendering
Nikon F (Manual)
Brands: Nikon, Nikkor, Series E
Why It’s Great: Long-running system, excellent optics, still relevant
Minolta SR
Brands: Minolta Rokkor (e.g. MC / MD)
Why It’s Great: Beautiful rendering, budget gems, great portrait lenses, super for video/filmmaking
Olympus OM
Brands: Olympus Zuiko
Why It’s Great: Compact, sharp, underrated
Konica AR
Brands: Konica
Why It’s Great: Undervalued gems with great character
Pentax K (PK)
Brands: Pentax, Ricoh, Vivitar
Why It’s Great: Abundant primes, solid build, great color rendering
M42 Screw Mount
Biggest brands: Pentax, Fujinon
Why It’s Great: Massive variety, cheap, easily adaptable, beginner-friendly
Third Party (various mounts)
Brands: Sigma, Tamron, Vivitar, Kiron, Tokina, etc.
Why It’s Great: Insane bargains if you’re willing to be patient and hunt around a bit for the best ones.
35mm Mount (Other)
Contax/Yashica (C/Y)
Brands: Zeiss, Yashica ML
Why It’s Great: Smooth mechanics, Zeiss optics, loved by filmmakers
Leica R
Brands: Leica
Why It’s Great: Stunning rendering, cheaper than Leica M, pro-level glass
Leica M
Brands: Leica, Zeiss, Voigtländer, etc.
Why It’s Great: Premium manual glass, great for compact mirrorless cameras
East German Lenses (M42, Exakta)
Popular lines: Carl Zeiss Jena, Meyer-Optik Görlitz
Why It’s Great: precision/3D pop from Zeiss, character (swirls / soap bubble) from Meyer-Optik. Fun!
Soviet Lenses (various mounts)
Popular lines: Helios, Mir, Jupiter, etc.
Why It’s Great: cheap and full of character (dreamy rendering, bokeh). Best for: video, creative portraits.
Medium Format
Mamiya 645
Brands: Mamiya
Why It’s Great: Overlooked and highly adaptable (covers GFX), with great potential for creative portraits and video.
🛠️ Why These Are Ideal for Adaptation
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Short flange distance | Easy infinity focus on mirrorless |
| All mechanical controls | No electronic contacts needed |
| Cheap adapters available | Often $15–$50 depending on brand |
| Wide lens availability | eBay, KEH, local shops, forums — tons of options |
| Excellent optics | Often better than modern budget lenses |
| Unique rendering styles | Swirly bokeh, glowing highlights — perfect for video |
Choosing a Lens Set
A quick “cheatsheet” for those who are trying to dial in a specific aesthetic.
| Lens Set | Rendering Style | Bokeh |
| Canon FD | Vintage, versatile, slightly soft wide open | Creamy |
| Nikon F (Manual) |
Clean, classic, all-purpose | Natural |
| Minolta SR (MC/MD Rokkor) |
Dreamy, painterly, especially in portraits | Smooth, sometimes swirly |
| Olympus OM | Compact, clinical, precise | Controlled |
| Konica AR | Soft, romantic, great budget character | Gentle |
| Pentax K | All-arounder with lush tones | Smooth |
| M42 Screw Mount (Pentax, Fujinon) |
Huge variety — vintage, glowy, and adaptable | Varies widely |
| Contax/Yashica (Zeiss C/Y) |
Clinical with microcontrast & “Zeiss pop” | Smooth, 3D |
| Leica R | Pro-grade, refined, with creamy highlights | Smooth |
| Leica M (Leica, Zeiss, Voigt) |
Compact, premium rendering, perfect color fidelity | Controlled |
| East German (CZJ, Meyer-Optik) |
Zeiss = 3D pop; Meyer = character bokeh | Swirly / Soap Bubble |
| Soviet (Helios, Jupiter, etc.) |
Dreamy, vintage charm, great for portraits & video | Swirly / Busy |
| Mamiya 645 | Medium format depth, cinematic & natural tones | Smooth, MF-style |
Table notes:
- Rendering Style: A brief descriptor of its overall “vibe” or visual signature.
- Bokeh: Subjective but notable trends are included.
- Third Party lenses are not included because they are all over the place in bokeh, rendering, sharpness, contrast, etc.
Rapid-fire Recommendations
Sharpness:
- Very high: Contax/Zeiss, Leica R, Leica M
- High: Mamiya 645, Nikon F, Olympus OM, Pentax K
- Medium: Canon FD, Minolta SR, Konica AR, M42, East German
- Lowest: Soviet (with some exceptions)
Contrast:
- High: Contax/Zeiss, Leica R, Leica M, Nikon F, Pentax K, Olympus OM
- Medium: Mamiya 645, Canon FD, M42, Minolta SR
- Lowest: Soviet, East German, Konica AR
Color Temperature:
- Warm: Minolta SR, Canon FD, Konica AR, Soviet, M42 (varies), East German (CZJ)
- Neutral-Warm: Leica R, Pentax K
- Neutral: Mamiya 645, Leica M
- Neutral-Cool: Contax/Zeiss, Nikon F, Olympus OM
- Cool: East German (Meyer-Optik)