Can a lens from an SLR film camera work with an SLR Digital of same brand?

Question

I am thinking of switching from my current SLR film camera to a digital, and I am trying to gather information about the investment costs if I have to sell my current equipment and buy all new....this is probably a dumb question, I know, but I am fairly new to photography...

Thanks for all the answers...this looks more hopefull now, lol....the camera and lens in question are AF for a Minolta Maxxum 5.....does anyone have any idea if they will function with a digital Minolta (or Sony, as they have purchased Minolta's technology)?

Answer 1

It depends on the brand, but I know for sure you can with Nikons. The lens will be a bit more telephoto (x1.5). I've used autofocus lenses from my old F100 on my D70, and they work just fine! Autofocus and everything!

Answer 2

Generally speaking, yes they will. You might not have 100% functionality if it is a very old lens, but most do.

You read about Nikon and Canon above and Pentax also claims that any k-mount lens ever made will work with their new digital cameras.

I have a chart for Nikon and it looks like pretty much any type G, D, or AF Nikkor (inc AF-S, AF-I) CPU lens will work 100%. You may be able to find these charts online at manufacturer sites.

If you have a specific camera in mind, maybe you can tell us and someone will have the exact information you need.

Answer 3

This is almost exactly the question I wanted to ask here. I am shocked at the depth of information users here have!

I want to use all of my Minolta Maxxum lenses....but the Minolta Digital SLR's seem like a lot of money compared to the competition. Any thoughts?

Answer 4

I can't speak for all brands, but I know with canon the SLR 35mm lens work with the digital. The mm conversion factor is not one for one but the lens work fine (I can't remember exactly but I think it is @1.6:1. If you have slower lenses, they may not work as well on the digital but will still work. Also if you have filters, they will also work. Depending on the type of flash you have, you may want to buy a new one of those, but you can also just do that to an extent with good software.

Answer 5

Hi..... generally the lenses will FIT, but they might not get the most out of your digital SLR camera. I found that i wasn't able to make the most out of my digital SLR with my manual SLR's lenses, so I invested in 2 excellent new lenses. worth every penny.

here's some more information about this topic:


General issues for digital SLRs:

1.) Don't bother with manual focus lenses on digital cameras. Optically they work great, however with most cameras you'll have no metering or automation. You can use these in a studio but they are almost useless in the field.

2.) Optically all Nikon lenses ever made work great on all digital Nikons. Nikon designs its digital cameras for their lenses, so ignore the discount brands' barking about magic lenses optimized for digital. Nikon digital SLRs are already designed for Nikon lenses and no discount brand could possibly optimize their lenses for every camera brand simultaneously. Nope, no one pays me or sponsors me; these are just my opinions. In this case I agree with Nikon's marketing, even though their latest slogan about "the camera matters" is baloney. Nikon's "DX" moniker just means these shorter focal length lenses won't cover 35mm film, so don't use them on a film camera. All Nikon lenses are already "digital optimized."

3.) Fixed focal length lenses aren't needed, except for macro or super tele. The faster f/stops of fixed lenses aren't needed with digital's high ISOs. Almost all lens development in the past 20 years has been focused on zooms, so as digital dawns there are few things that zooms can't do better.

Answer 6

If you talk to a camera shop they can advise on weather or not you can purchase an adaptor to make the lens fit. Not all can but it's worth a try.

Answer 7

sometimes ...yes will work ...it is much more a matter of what model of lens with what camera you wanna match.