Here at Russell West Productions we value camera gear that helps us capture beautiful nature scenes. Though both have their advantages, how do vintage lenses stack up against it’s modern equivalent?

Vintage lenses are very charming to work with and I find they add character to any camera body. In many cases they can be the perfect addition to a camera man or woman’s kit, but what are the pitfalls associated with shooting on such devices, and are they really worth it nowadays?

The short answer is yes, but it is not that simple. Sometimes vintage lenses require a fair amount of restoration. They can contain internal dust, perhaps be mouldy, have scratches, gunk, wear or be fused; inoperable.

Others can have bubbles in the glass from manufacturing, it’s just the way it used to be. But typically, there are adapters that can connect most lenses to modern cameras. This is something that I wish I had figured out sooner.

Many vintage lenses are prime lenses meaning they have a fixed focal length and don’t often offer a zoom. How it used to be done, is that you would often buy several prime lenses for each camera, and then you would simply swap out the lens if your shot wasn’t properly in the frame.

But in any case, it’s a matter of time and interest fiddling around with this old vintage gear. Vintage lenses and cameras left sitting for years in boxes often require maintenance in order to be used. So many of us just don’t have time to take these lenses in to get them checked out, and serviced, invest in time and energy transporting them in, picking them up, paying the bill, and only to be still using old dated technology in the end.

In many cases, modern optics have surpassed optics from the past, but some lenses from by gone eras have special coatings on them that make light special in certain ways. People out there seem to be interested in lenses with special coatings.

In any case, I am no expert in these subtle differences but now that I have had a certain amount of experience its something I pay attention to.

Myself personally I used to have a great many of these old vintage lenses and film cameras, my great grandfather in-law was an award winning bird photographer and I inherited a great deal of his equipment long before I had the appreciation to use it.

Tragically, it was given away over a decade ago. Only nowadays do I feel waves of pain over parting with that gear. Bags and bags of vintage photo film cameras and lenses.

However, victoriously, as of late I came into contact with a box of old prime lenses I didn’t realize I had hiding away, some of them were certainly my great grandfather’s.

The legend continues: I was pleased to discover these lenses are certainly compatible with my new modern camera.

The restoration of these lenses has been an absolute joy and a look back in time through fine Japanese optics.

This coming season, I’m planning to test these new lenses thoroughly on all sorts of shots, mainly waterfalls, forest shots, macros and other new unique scenes. Depending on what the shot requires, a specific lens is now at hand!

If you are sitting on an old box of camera gear from ages gone by, I can’t say that I would buy it off of you, but if you were willing to part with it knowing that its going to a place where it will be cared for and appreciated, consider donating your old unused camera gear to Russell West Productions.

As videographers and cinematographers operating in the Algonquin Highlands area, we are able to put this gear to work locally recording beautiful relaxing wild sights and sounds for all to enjoy!

Thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
RWP