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Digital cameras: Film camera lenses used with new digital SLR?
Film camera lenses used with new digital SLR?
by Simonvine - 4/9/07 4:24 PMI am thinking about purchasing a digital SLR, perhaps a Canon EOS. Maybe I'm being naive here and haven't quite graduated into the world of digital SLR's yet, but can anyone tell me if it is possible to use my lenses from my old 35mm film-based Canon EOS 650 with a digital SLR? Are they compatible?
Lens Compatibility
by snapshot2
- 4/10/07 7:28 AM
In reply to: Film camera lenses used with new digital SLR? by Simonvine
All Canon EOS lenses will work on Canon Digital SLR cameras.
If the lens is not made by Canon.....you will have to contact the company that made the lens. They usually require a full description of the lens (including serial number).
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55 mm threaded
by mtbarbee - 4/13/07 4:42 PM In reply to: Lens Compatibility by snapshot2
as long as it's the correct diameter of ring size (normally 55 mm)and has threads.
35mm to digital lens conversion
by weslambert - 4/13/07 6:07 PM In reply to: Lens Compatibility by snapshot2
Having just recently purchased a Nikon D80 digital SLR and considering adding another lens to my kit, I've learned a couple of things to help me in my choices. The first thing is look at the manufacturer's support pages and users manual. In my case, Nikon does publish compatibility charts that tell which lenses will work and which functions are supported ( autofocus, metering etc. ). The other thing is there is a focal length conversion to be made between lenses for 35mm and lenses for digital cameras. As the area of film exposed when the shutter opens is larger than the area of the sensor in a digital camera the effective focal length of a 35mm lens is approximately 1.5 times larger. In effect a 50mm lens becomes a 75mm, a 200mm becomes a 300mm and so forth. I am using Nikon products in this and after market lenses or adapters can present their own issues. I would recommend careful research on any thing I mount on the front of my spendy SLR body. Hope this helps!
Try before you Buy
by Donaldsc - 4/13/07 5:01 PM In reply to: Film camera lenses used with new digital SLR? by SimonvineI would add one additional thing to the answers already posted. Bring all of the lenses that you want to use to your camera dealer (you do have a local dealer, I hope) and try them before you make a decision. That is the only way to be sure.
DON
Slr Lens systems
by Argotec - 4/13/07 5:28 PM In reply to: Film camera lenses used with new digital SLR? by SimonvineMost film camera Lens will fit Digital cameras with the appropriate adapter ring fitted. Note that the focal length will be different normally by a factor of about 1.6x hence a 100mm lens will become a 160mm lens etc.
Nikon "film" lenses are compatible, too.
by LaJan7 - 4/13/07 7:12 PM In reply to: Film camera lenses used with new digital SLR? by SimonvineNikon uses Nikkor lenses that are interchangeable like Canon’s. However, I’d strongly suggest you read the reviews by the pros comparing the Canon to the Nikon D80. Opting for the Canon is fine only if money is really tight. Otherwise, the Nikon D80 seriously outperforms most of the Canon cameras. (http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3569/10mp-dslr-shootout.html). Note also in this article that legacy lenses from film SLR’s are a great selling point for both Canon and Nikon.
I too have a new D80 after a year of shopping everything in sight and I’m convinced the D80 and its available “old” lenses is the best option.
Best of luck!
Nikon Better
by yee940908 - 4/13/07 10:13 PM In reply to: Nikon "film" lenses are compatible, too. by LaJan7Nikon seriously outperforms the Canon!!!!! Give me a break. The Canon are the choice of professionals worldwide. They are miles ahead of Nikon.
I had Nikon film cameras and lenses... loved them. When the shift towards digital began, I did the research and ended up selling all my Nikons and went with Canon. Never looked back since. The Nikon focus was noisy and slowwwwww..... Maybe they're better now but — too little too late.
"Maybe they're better now but — too little too late."
by LaJan7 - 5/12/07 2:27 PM In reply to: Nikon Better by yee940908LOL! croatianconnection, you and I have grown up on the opposite side of the tracks, it seems. :-D For you, there's nothing better than going Canon for a billion reasons and all of them are valid, not the least of which is that you probably have a mint invested in compatible glass.
There was a time when Canon was the ONLY way to go if you were a serious professional. That put them in the lead with professionals and it's a lead that may or may not still exist. (Can I hear poll, anyone?) But the newest Nikons are winning the battle at the prosumer level and that's what almost all the people new to DSLR are. The professionals who like film will like film forever just like the professionals who like Canon will like it forever.
Are you a pro? I'm not; I'm a prosumer: the new class of consumers who want good gear like the professionals use but not willing to pay $2000 for a camera body and $5000 for a lens. If you're a pro, you probably already HAVE $5000 in Canon lenses. But for this person with a question, I think prosumer is closer to his/her truth.
Tell you what. Let's use a neutral free hosting site to post some of our best shots from our respective equipment - complete with the metadata - and let some of the c/net users decide what images are more appealing to them. If you're a pro, you've got a major advantage on me, obviously. But I'll stack my Nikon up to your Canon in an informal opinion poll of results any day of the week. Winner types, "I love [the opposition's camera]!"
It's on, bro, so your move!
You Can use them BUT...........
by mmayer54 - 4/13/07 8:04 PM In reply to: Film camera lenses used with new digital SLR? by SimonvineOld 35 mm lenses will work on DLSRs, however, because the camera's digtal sensor is a much smaller (APS size), the lens-to-sensor distance leaves very soft images. Also, there is a 1.6X magnification factor, so your 50mm standard lens becomes an 80mm. Recommended are the lenses that come with it (only $79 more for the 18-55mm wide-to-normal 28-90 35mm equivalent lens, that comes with it). Or if you get the Canon body, both Tamron & Sigma make very good little 18-200mm DIGITAL ONLY lenses, having the equivalent range of 28-300 on 35mm, PLUS MACRO! Apertures for these zoom lenses are a slow f/3.5 and up, but these new DSLR shoot up 1600 ISO (Pro DSLRS cameras @3200) with less digital noise aka grain, than film. Hope that helps
Confused...
by RenoDavid - 4/13/07 9:30 PM In reply to: You Can use them BUT........... by mmayer54"lens-to-sensor distance leaves very soft images"
Huh? I've never heard of this before. Why would the lens-sensor-distance make any difference? Isn't it the same as the lens-to-film distance? Could you explain this a bit more??
Lens to Sensor leaves images soft
by yee940908 - 4/13/07 10:30 PM In reply to: You Can use them BUT........... by mmayer54That is totally false... EOS lenses work on film and digital cameras — no problems. Period.
Compatibility
by yee940908 - 4/13/07 10:25 PM In reply to: Film camera lenses used with new digital SLR? by SimonvineGood choice going with the Canon. The Digital Rebel's only flaw is that it feels too small if your hands are too big. Controls are conveniently placed — similar to their film counterparts.
Your old EOS lenses will work fine. However, once you have a state-of-the-art camera why not combine it with state-of-the-art lenses as well. Canon's new zooms (in all focal length) have image stabilization and quick and quiet auto focus.
An important note... A 50mm lenses on a film camera is NOT a 50mm lens on a digital camera. Because the digital sensor is smaller than 35mm film, you have to multiply the focal length by 1.6. Therefore, a 50mm lens is actually an 80mm lens on a digital camera. Something to take into consideration when purchasing lenses.
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by fionndruinne - 4/17/07 8:30 AM In reply to: Compatibility by yee940908The XTi grip is too small even if your hands are not too big. I have very normal-sized hands, and much prefer the grip on my D40 to my friend's XTi. There's just no room for the little finger to sit comfortably (or at all, if your hands are just a smidgen larger than mine).
Also, it's not easy to rest the finger on the shutter button. Give me Nikon ergonomics any day. The D40 through D80 are plain comfortable.
lenses from film camera to digital camera
by befie - 4/13/07 10:30 PM In reply to: Film camera lenses used with new digital SLR? by SimonvineYes! With Canon. That is why my first digital camera purchase was a Canon 20D. (I had some good advice from a pro whose word I admired.) I only had 2 lenses with my film Canon EOS and I can use them on my new camera. A real plus is that my 75-300mm lense actually zooms further on the digital.
In fact I often carry both cameras with me. Although I have had the digital a year, circumstances have kept me from fully exploring and learning its possiblilities. I still like the depth of vision I get with the film camera. Some would call me an advanced amateur though I participate in two local galleries as a "professional". My goal is to sell and I do.
Hope this helps. Befie
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