Old SLR lenses

[nilagin]

My wifes Grandfather has a 35mm SLR camera with various lenses. The camera and lenses (don't know makes or sizes etc) have got to be abou 20 years old. If I bought myself a Canon 400D would these lenses be compatable, or am I barking up the wrong tree.:shrug:

 

[Venomator]

I will leave the definitive answer to the Canon wizzes we have on here but ... fwiw ... I would think it highly unlikely Nilagin ... :shrug:

 

[antonroland]

Well if you could give us basic descriptions of the lenses then we could tell you.

If I'm right then you can use any EF (Electro Focus) lens on the 400D.

They were originally launched in 1987 so chances are if your Grandfather's lenses are EF's you might be able to use them.

Off course the focal lengths will also make a difference in the equation so please do let us know:shrug:

 

[minimeeze]

I think you'd be better off finding what make the camera and lenses are. I have some old Nikon lenses that do fit on my Nikon D70, but you can only use them in full manual mode.
I would guess that if the lenses are any other make than Canon, then they probably won't fit.

 

[CT]

Historically, Canon upset a lot of owners of big systems, when they suddenly dropped their breech lock lens mounting system with the advent of auto focus lenses. I can still hear the howls of fury now, but Canon had absolutely no choice - there simply wasn't room on the existing lens mount to accommodate all the electrical connections between body and camera which they knew would be needed. This would have been in the 80's.

Nikon on the other hand were able to utilise the existing lens mount which is why you can still fit any Nikon lens to their newer bodies, which is great, but it was also extremely lucky.

I'm pretty sure you can get an adapter ring to fit older Canon lenses to the new bodies including the old breech lock ones, bit of course it will be manual focusing and probably stop down metering.

 

[antonroland]

Nilagin

Not to kill your enthusiasm but there are many other reasons why old lenses won't serve you too well on a new D-SLR body.

Let us know exactly what their descriptions are BUT rather get yourself a kit lens with the 400. It is so cheap anyway...

This will probably go a lot further in getteing you started and at least that lens was designed for D-SLR.

As your abilities expand and you start pushing the limits you WILL start drooling over longer and wider and more expensive glass...:bang:

Welcome to the club BUT IN THE MEANTIME ENJOY THE FIRST PARTS AND PLAY LOTS

 

[nilagin]

Thanks for your replies. I'd like to upgrade to a DSLR, I could start with a Canon 350D but I know it wouldn't be long before I find myself wanting to then upgrade to a 400D. I was just looking for the cheapest way in was all. I'll just carry on saving till I'm ready.

 

[BeatPoet]

A 350D to a 400D isn't really an upgrade...practically the same camera with more MP.

I've just replaced my 350 with a 20D from ebay (£430 mint).

I can honestly say it's the best £430 I've ever spent. No disrespect to the 350, but the 20D's build quality/handling/focussing and viewfinder image is in a different league.

Seriously good camera for relatively little money.

 

[antonroland]

Cannot agree more with BeatPoet

I have both (350D and 20D) and although the 350 is a great little camera and about 95% on spec with the 20D if I could start over I would have gone with the 20D.

It is physically bigger and even though I have grips on both the 20 Feels better in my hands.

Control placement is more intuitive and once you are used to the 20 you battle a bit with the 350...

Build quality on the 20 says: I'm a serious camera.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the 350/400D is junk.
They are both very capable cameras in their own right.

All I want to do here and now is share MY OPINION with another prospective buyer....

So Nilagin, better yet....go to your local camera shop and go do the touchie feelie thing. You might just think differently after that....:bonk:

My 2c worth

Cheers