How to achieve vintage photo look without photoshop?

I have a nikon d40 and have been looking into manual focus lenses because i want a vintage look to my photos. I've seen photos from a Helios 58mm f2 on a canon that produces the type of look that i want, as if they were shot with film. I do not want to get a film camera though.

Since Nikon's have a different film plane than other cameras I don't want to sacrafice quality by buying an adapter with a corrective lens in it (unless this would add to the effect).

I have been looking at non ai lenses but i was wondering if they would achieve the look that i want.photos kind of like this http://www.petapixel.com/2010/09/17/102-year-old-lens-plus-canon-5d-mark-ii-equals-instant-vintage-photos/

Non AI lenses can't be mounted on the D40 - not without damaging the mirror/prism. What exactly do you mean by Nikons 'having a different film plane'?

Lenses don't usually produce a vintage effect 'per se'. They merely focus light. Vintage effects are produced by film stock, development time/temp, or with digital - filters or post processing software. The only thing I can see about the images you posted, is that there's a slight vignette in the frame.

What you consider vintage is a mix of lack of sharpness and rather a lot of vignetting.

The D40 is one of the very few nikons that can actually mount a lot of pre-ai lenses. Only the ones that protrude into the camera (mostly the fisheyes) are unsafe to use. See http://www.aiconversions.com/compatibilitytable.htm for confirmation

Pre-ai lenses can be found quite cheaply on places like ebay. Try getting something like this: http://www.destoutz.ch/lens_50mm_f2_2207943.html look for something quite used but still fungus free.

Even then, knowing nikon there's a good chance that you will have to do some editing to get your look.

Of course these old lenses mean you're on your own to figure out the correct settings for any scene. Trial and error or a hand-held lightmeter will help.

I've used a Helios lens from an old Zenit TTL on a Canon EOS 450d - using a lens mount adaptor purchased on the internet for a few pounds (GBP). Something like this would do - http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/17833505/Kiwifotos-Lens-Mount-Adapter-Allows-M42-Lenses-to-be-used-on-Nikon-D-SLR-s/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518|cat:17833505|prd:17833505 Helios lenses are an M42 Pentax mount.

Here's a shot I took