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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> film lenses on dslrs?
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 03/26/2006 10:08:13 AM · #1
Do old film slr's lenses ever work on dslrs?
 03/26/2006 10:21:45 AM · #2
They sure do!

But not all... There are some that don't work straight across for various different reasons. Some because of mount differences (old Canon vs new canon), some because of electronics differences (older sigma lenses to newer bodies) and some because of other reasons... Some of these can be worked around (via adaptors). Others can be worked around, but aren't really worth it.

Which lenses have you got that you would like to use on what body?

Specific questions beget specific answers.

Message edited by author 2006-03-26 10:22:10.
 03/26/2006 10:34:57 AM · #3
Like eschelar said. Yes, some do. Canon did that with the film to DSLR Rebels.

There is a difference, however. Because 35mm film is larger than the sensor in a DSLR there is a "crop factor"---so you get the equivalent of a longer lens on the digital. Example 50mm lens on 35mm camera is something like an 80mm on a 35mm camera when attached to a DSLR (with a 1.6x crop factor--like the Rebel to Rebel).
 03/26/2006 10:42:55 AM · #4
I haven't got a dslr body, but I have my dad's old film slr with several lenses. I'm planning on getting a better digital camera, and might consider an slr sometime in the reasonably near future if I have some lenses that would go with any of the slrs out there. I plan on experimenting with the film camera first though to decide if that's what I want.

How do I know the exact name of the lens, is iit just what's written around the top?

03/26/2006 11:53:00 AM · #5
Anyone?
 03/26/2006 11:58:26 AM · #6
yes, the zoom or magnification of the lens will be written around the top. However i think it would be more helpfull to us if you could tell us the brand name, of the lenses.(the zoom could be helpfull too)
Also what camera is it?
-Dan
 03/26/2006 12:00:33 PM · #7
in all likelihood - you'll be working with fully manual exposure ( if the lens will mount on a dSLR ). ie: the dSLR meter may not work, you won't be able to change the aperture through the camera, and autofocus ( if equipped ) won't function.


03/26/2006 12:04:30 PM · #8
Originally posted by I Enjoy Ham:
yes, the zoom or magnification of the lens will be written around the top. However i think it would be more helpfull to us if you could tell us the brand name, of the lenses.(the zoom could be helpfull too)
Also what camera is it?
-Dan


Nikon camera lenses tend to be a bit more universal from one generation of cameras to the next. I routinely use my old Nikon F lenses on my D50. These old manual lenses are superb but you give up the automatic focus and exposure controls the DSLR provides. For us old timers that is not much of a sacrifice, but newer users may find the manual control cumbersome or even unusable. Pentax has also maintained compatibility from one generation to the next.

Message edited by author 2006-03-26 12:08:32.
 03/26/2006 12:06:58 PM · #9
and nikon tends to be the exception with compatibilty aside from canons EOS line, as far as i know.

Originally posted by ElGordo:
Nikon camera lenses tend to be a bit more universal from one generation of cameras to the next. I routinely use my old Nikon F lenses on my D50. These old manual lenses are superb but you give up the automatic focus and exposure controls the DSLR provides. For us old timers that is not much of a sacrifice, but newer users may find the manual control cumbersome or even unusable.

 03/26/2006 12:21:01 PM · #10
My bud at work has picked many older, highend, lenses (AF and MF) for cheap for his Minlota 7D. Filmies tended to take pretty good care of their glass back in the old days.

One of the main reason he got it was the 7D body has IS, so it was like putting Image Stablization in all those older lenses. He has had very good luck with some of the older stuff.
 03/26/2006 01:59:56 PM · #11
Originally posted by soup:
in all likelihood - you'll be working with fully manual exposure ( if the lens will mount on a dSLR ). ie: the dSLR meter may not work, you won't be able to change the aperture through the camera, and autofocus ( if equipped ) won't function.


I believe that the Canons will work quite well in Av mode with older manual lenses. '00' will be displayed for aperture, but the camera will meter the light and set the correct shutter speed for the amount of light entering the camera. With the aperture set manually on the lens, this is unlikely to be changed between half-press and full-press of the shutter button.
 03/26/2006 03:07:05 PM · #12
As I mentioned in the other thread, I've had no problem with metering using old M42 lenses.

I don't really understand the thinking behind the "metering doesn't work" rumour on old lenses - the metering is handled in the body, so as long as the aperture is manually set I can't see any particular problems.

Soup, have you actually experienced metering issues using old lenses?
 03/26/2006 03:25:37 PM · #13
Originally posted by ganders:
As I mentioned in the other thread, I've had no problem with metering using old M42 lenses.

I don't really understand the thinking behind the "metering doesn't work" rumour on old lenses - the metering is handled in the body, so as long as the aperture is manually set I can't see any particular problems.

Soup, have you actually experienced metering issues using old lenses?


All i know is that a lot of the time you may need stop-down metering. For example, if I get an Olypus dSLR and use my old OM lenses on it (something I'm seriously considering), then to set the exposure I'd have to stop the aperture right down when metering, or else the camera cannot 'read' what the aperture is set at. Make sense?
 03/26/2006 03:41:21 PM · #14
I also considered the Olympus DSLR because I have so many OM lenses. But it does not appear that OM lenses are mechanically compatible with the Olympus 4/3 system mount.
 03/26/2006 04:03:12 PM · #15
The camera is a Canon AT-1.

the lenses:

Focal MC AUTO ZOOM 1:4.5 f=80-200 mm

FOCAL MC AUTO 1:2.8 f=28 mm

Then there's something called a SIMA SF lens 100mm f/2 soft focus/macro

and a Vivitar MC Tele Converter 2x-4 FL-FD

On the camera is a Canon Lens FD 50 mm 1:1.8 S.C.

Anyone know anything about those? Compatible with any dslrs?
 03/26/2006 04:07:35 PM · #16
Originally posted by moniepenny:
The camera is a Canon AT-1.

the lenses:

Focal MC AUTO ZOOM 1:4.5 f=80-200 mm

FOCAL MC AUTO 1:2.8 f=28 mm

Then there's something called a SIMA SF lens 100mm f/2 soft focus/macro

and a Vivitar MC Tele Converter 2x-4 FL-FD

On the camera is a Canon Lens FD 50 mm 1:1.8 S.C.

Anyone know anything about those? Compatible with any dslrs?


The FD mount for Canon lenses is the old one and won't work on a Canon digital SLR without an adapter.
03/26/2006 04:12:56 PM · #17
Originally posted by cpanaioti:

The FD mount for Canon lenses is the old one and won't work on a Canon digital SLR without an adapter.


Are the adapters worth it, and what do they cost?
 03/26/2006 04:49:19 PM · #18
Originally posted by moniepenny:
Originally posted by cpanaioti:

The FD mount for Canon lenses is the old one and won't work on a Canon digital SLR without an adapter.


Are the adapters worth it, and what do they cost?


Don't bother. The adapters have lens element(s) inside to allow infinity focus. Most of the time they don't work or they just produce mush. Canon made an adapter and offered it to the CPS people but it only fits a handful of L teles and costs an arm and half a leg.
 03/26/2006 04:58:55 PM · #19
There are alot of second quailty film lenses out there which suffered from vinietting or focus drop off in the corners that are a much better lens on the DSLR's smaller sensor since only the sweet spot in the center is used. Do your homework, there's gold in them thar hills.
 03/26/2006 05:19:02 PM · #20
Originally posted by ElGordo:
I also considered the Olympus DSLR because I have so many OM lenses. But it does not appear that OM lenses are mechanically compatible with the Olympus 4/3 system mount.


hmmm, I've been told the OM lenses are fine with the E300, which is 4/3 system, except you obviously won't have auto focus and you'll have to use stop-down metering. An adaptor is required but this comes free (or if not can be ordered free). I'm not sure if there are any problems with infinity focus with the adaptor. The mechanical doolally obviously won't communicate with the body, hence the stop-down metering, but don't think ithat affects anything else.

I'm planning on going down to my local camera shop in the next few weeks with my OM lenses to try out the E300 - If you want feedback PM me sometime and I'll give you my opinion after trying it out.
 03/26/2006 05:21:19 PM · #21
yea that adapter is supposedly free but also like impossible to get ahold of. I had a friend that bought an E-300 and eventually sold it all and bought canon stuff almost entirely because it was taking months to get the converter and he couldn't use most of his lenses.
 03/26/2006 05:30:56 PM · #22
Could someone explain how stop-down metering works?

For example, if you put the camera into AP mode using a film lens, will it meter correctly and select the correct shutter speed?

Since the camera doesn't know what the aperture is set to, do you need to press the DOF preview button to get a proper reading? - (because on a film body, when you change the aperture it doesn't actually *set* the aperture until the moment you take the shot)
 03/26/2006 05:33:37 PM · #23
Originally posted by soup:
and nikon tends to be the exception with compatibilty aside from canons EOS line, as far as i know.

Originally posted by ElGordo:
Nikon camera lenses tend to be a bit more universal from one generation of cameras to the next. I routinely use my old Nikon F lenses on my D50. These old manual lenses are superb but you give up the automatic focus and exposure controls the DSLR provides. For us old timers that is not much of a sacrifice, but newer users may find the manual control cumbersome or even unusable.


Not quite, Pentax has one of the largest backwards compatibility with older lenses out there.
 03/26/2006 05:39:01 PM · #24
Originally posted by jhonan:
Could someone explain how stop-down metering works?

For example, if you put the camera into AP mode using a film lens, will it meter correctly and select the correct shutter speed?

Since the camera doesn't know what the aperture is set to, do you need to press the DOF preview button to get a proper reading? - (because on a film body, when you change the aperture it doesn't actually *set* the aperture until the moment you take the shot)


Entirely depends on the lens and the camera.

For example: On my DS, if you use a lens without an 'A' (for auto) on the aperature ring, you have to set some setting in the camera to allow the camera to be used with the aperature ring. It'll meter for your shutter speed, but to set exposure, you press the AE-L button to stop the lens down to the aperature you've set on the ring, and then take your shot.

Other cameras probably differ, but most likely use the same basic idea. Some cameras might use the DOF button, I'm not entirely sure.. but yes, that's the basic idea.
03/26/2006 06:00:03 PM · #25
I never knew you could use your old Zuiko lenses with an adaptor, but I will look into this as I have a few with my Olympus OM1 and 2...they are superb lenses. Thanks for the tip off...

WOW...I might get an Olympus digital SLR...
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