I have a film Canon EOS300, with a couple of lenses. Is it possible to use these lenses if I upgrade to a Canon DSLR?
Also, do any other DSLRs take lenses from older film cameras?
2006-09-08 01:53:20 · 7 answers · asked by special 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
Generally the anwer to this question is yes. However, you will need to validate that each lens will work properly with the new camera. Manual lens generally can be used on both film and digital SLRs. However, if the lens is an autofocus and/or utilizes other interneral electronics, then it becomes more camera specific. Find the specifications of the new camera model you want to purchase and then look at the lens compatibility chart to see if it fits.
Now, the BIG issue that isn't very well explained when the camera companies are selling a DSLR to replace a film SLR.
The size of the area of film that is exposed in a film SLR is different in size than the digital sensors used by a DSLR. If you use a lens designed for a film SLR on a DSLR, you will 'loose' some of the area shown in the view finder around the edges. Thus if you are composing the shot and use to utilize the full exposure area shown in the lens (Film SLR lens) then your photo will not be composed in the final output of the DSLR camera because of this difference.
So.. if you plan on using the lens from a Film SLR camera, you will need to become acustom to composing the photo with a bit of extra room around the actual photo you want to compensate for the larger image the Film SLR lens presents to the smaller digital sensor area.
Well... Hope this helps and good luck!
2006-09-08 02:04:33 · answer #1 · answered by wrkey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no. If your lenses were fairly recent (last 4-5 years and are auto focus) they will physically fit and function on your new DSLR. The telephoto lenses are particularly friendly. Normal and wide angle lenses are sometmes not as sharp. Digital is not as sharp at capture and must be sharpened in software during the processing in the camera or in the computer. There are lenses specially formulated to work best with digital. I would recommend buying the "package" body and medium zoom as a first purchase. Test your other lenses for sharpness and decide which ones you will keep and which ones will end up on Ebay or will remain stored with your film camera. Have fun and shoot lots!
2006-09-08 08:33:09 · answer #2 · answered by digitaldooda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your EOS300 lenses will work beautifully. Just note that with the 350D/ 400D/ 20D/ 30D the small sensor will multiply the range of your lenses by 1.6 (a 50mm lens effectively becomes 80mm). You won't get a focal length multiplier on the 5D or the 1Ds Mk 2 however.
The Canon digital line-up will take any lens with an EF mount, but with some lenses you might experience metering problems. Older Canon lenses with the FD mount (from the A1 cameras) won't work.
Other brands also work with their own brand of old lenses. Nikon hasn't upgraded it's lens mount in about 50 years, for example.
2006-09-08 02:04:17 · answer #3 · answered by OMG, I ♥ PONIES!!1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Canon and Nikon are advertised as being able to do both film and digital lenses interchangeably. Rely on your Camera Store for the best information or go to the website for information.
2006-09-08 04:33:39 · answer #4 · answered by Lance U 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So long as they have the same mount type there should be no problem.
2006-09-08 01:59:24 · answer #5 · answered by S.A.M. Gunner 7212 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, this is why canon over take nikko
2006-09-08 06:49:25 · answer #6 · answered by mickeycatty 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not sure you can
2006-09-08 02:03:44 · answer #7 · answered by louise E 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋