Lenses for SLR to DSLR

As a 'newbie' I would like to ask a question concerning the lenses that I have been using with my old Nikon EM.
I am in the market for a digital SLR and would like to be able to use the lenses that I already have on whichever new DSLR I purchase.
Can anyone confirm that the current crop of DSLR's have the same three bayonet type lens fitting as the old EM had, and if so, would I be able to use my existing lenses on a new DSLR?
Appreciate any advice please.

The answer is yes. I have a few lenses from my dad's FM that I still use. You'll need to check the specs on the DSLR you're looking at to see if it will meter with the old lenses.

I know my D70 won't, but my D2h will.

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Originally Posted by mikeandnel

As a 'newbie' I would like to ask a question concerning the lenses that I have been using with my old Nikon EM.
I am in the market for a digital SLR and would like to be able to use the lenses that I already have on whichever new DSLR I purchase.
Can anyone confirm that the current crop of DSLR's have the same three bayonet type lens fitting as the old EM had, and if so, would I be able to use my existing lenses on a new DSLR?
Appreciate any advice please.

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Your existing lenses should fit (assuming they are at least AI-S spec). However they don't have autofocus and they won't meter with the non-pro cameras (D40/D50/D70/D80). The most economical solution would be the D200 which will meter with AI-S lenses and has a relatively big viewfinder (could be important when you're focussing manually though you have the green dot thing to tell you when it's in focus).

The question I ask myself is WHY do you want to persist with lenses that are almost 30 years old when today's designed-for-digital zoom lenses are so good and even relatively cheap when you buy them in a kit? The view you will get with your lenses will be transformed by the digital sensor being smaller than film (your 50mm f1.8 becomes the equivalent of a 75mm f1.8). Plus it's not even sure that your designed-for film lenses have the optical performance required by digital sensors.

Charles

Thank you both for your replies and the info is much appreiated.
The lenses that I would like to be able to use are:
Sigma 100 - 200 mm f 4.5
Vivitar 500 mm Mirror Macro 1:2.7x f8
My main reason for not wanting to buy other lenses is economic, being retired and on a limited budget.
Any further comments would be much appreciated please

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mikeandnel

Thank you both for your replies and the info is much appreiated.
The lenses that I would like to be able to use are:
Sigma 100 - 200 mm f 4.5
Vivitar 500 mm Mirror Macro 1:2.7x f8
My main reason for not wanting to buy other lenses is economic, being retired and on a limited budget.
Any further comments would be much appreciated please

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You must be into wildlife photography with such long lenses. You might find that the cropped view due to the smaller digital sensor might suit you:

Your 100-200 will give you the view of a 150-300mm (on a film camera)
Your 500mm Mirror lens will give the view of a 750mm

You might find that the camera won't show when focus is right on the Mirror lens. The autofocus system is only supposed to work on lenses that are f5.6 or wider.

Charles

Charles,
Many thanks for the advice. That will help me to make a decision on which way to go.
Best regards
mikeandnel

I've even installed and used F mount lenses on my D70 but No AF & Metering. I had to dig out the very old Weston Master II light meter, Model 735. I think it my be older than me but is still 100% functional.

I have a related question - can the lenses made for DSLRs be used with film SLR's? Specifically, I have a Nikon N50 that's about 15 years old and a few years ago I dropped the zoom lens that came with it. The lens can't be repaired per Nikon. Since then I've been using a Nikon E5200, but I really like the N50. I was thinking that if it is possible to put a Nikon lens that's made for a Nikon DSLR on the N50, then when I move up to a Nikon DSLR I'd already have another lens for it. Or would this just be a waste of money?

I'd say that its something a bit different here, Jlomba1.

All Nikon AF lenses for the F-mount (aside from the 2 made for the F3AF) will meter and autofocus and function perfectly with Nikon's DSLRs except the D40/x, which must have AF-S or AF-I lenses to autofocus, but will still meter.

Digital SLR-only lenses, ex. the Nikon DX series, are designed for the significantly smaller image circle requirement of the digital camera and thus would have extreme vignetting at many or all focal lengths.

I'd suggest you look at lenses that are compatible with both DSLRs and film SLRs, pick one that would suit you on both, and buy it.

Thank you for the advice. I'm glad you mentioned the exception with the D40 lenses as that is the camera that I am considering sometime in the future.