Digital Camera for old 35mm lenses?

[Shootmoore]

Well looking at all the fantastic pictures I have decided instead of a gun with the tax return, I am going to get a digital camera.  My question is, I have an old cannon 35mm that I used to use a lot back in the day.  For some reason I got out of taking photographs over the years and its just collecting dust.

My question is there a digital camera that I can use my old lenses on?  I have to go back over to the east side to get my camera gear (left it with my folks when I moved) but if I remember correctly I have a 50, 80, 125(?), and a 400.  Now I remember dropping some pretty big coin on those back in the day, and if I can use them on a new digital it would be great.

I have been out of it for so long that I'm not sure whats out there and what would work if anything with these old lenses.

Thanks

Shootmoore

[elk311]

Obsolutely, well in my Nikon situation that is true but I'm sure that Cannon does the same thing. In fact thats what pushed me over the hump in 2006. The Nikon D200 would accept any AI and AIS lens as well as the new ones. After investing a fair chunk of change like you mentioned I wanted to use my old lenses of the FM2N 35mm film camera. Now my favorite is a manual 24mm f/2.8 lens!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29106619@N06/4302305237/

[tlbradford]

Elk, Great photos on your flickr account.  I really liked your fog shots and the puppy with the boy. 

[boneaddict]

You have to watch out.  I have a Sigma that won't run on my Canon 40D but was fine withthe older 35mm bodies.  Its missing a chip.   Mray tried it on his 20 and it also didn't work.  Sooooooo, its not a flush everything works is what I am saying. 

[Shootmoore]

Ok thats what I was looking for, looks like I will do some research and see.  All of my lenses are manual focus from the late 80's early 90's.  Some good pieces of glass and worked really well with the 35mm.  Working with 35mm to be honest was a pain in the but, and with what you can do with a computer now days, I think I will enjoy the digital.  So I will research a bit and maybe take the glass to a camera store and make sure what I want works with what I have.

Shootmoore

[huntnphool]

 These were taken with a 1968 Canon FL 55mm 1:1.2, one of the faster lenses Canon ever produced, I took these with my 20D. I spent a lot of time adapting this lens but in the end I have a very well built, extremely fast lens that otherwise was destined for the shelf to collect dust.

 The quality of the images it gets is great and the bokeh effect is outstanding. Even 1/2" in front or behind the focal point is blurred, giving fantastic effects to your images. On the cat the focus point was between the eyes and on the wheel it was on the center cap.

 The new version of this lens will cost you more than $1500, the difference is the old lens is manual focus only, which us old schoolers don't have an issue with.

 Bottom line is if you spend the time doing the work there are some nice lenses that can still be used.

                                    CLICK IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE

[Shootmoore]

Thanks huntinphool, nice shots.  I used to always prefer manual focus for some reason using the 35mm.  I just could not seem to get as good of shots with the auto's.  I am hoping and my wallet is hoping that I will have the same sucess I had with the manuals. 

The thing I think I will like the best about the digital is I can just delete what I don't like.  I never took formal classes when I first got into photography and I remember dropping a lot of cash on film trying to learn what worked and what didn't.

Shootmoore

[.Forty_One]

I'm a Pentax guy, and could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the pre EOS lenses (FD series I think they are known as) won't fit newer Canon cameras. As I think I understand, there are no mechanical connections between body and lens in the newer system- so the iris in an older lens will not be automatic, and the bayonet is to different dimensions.
huntnphool, did you have to use/ make some type of adapter to use your early lens? Can you focus at infinity? Is the iris automatic?

[huntnphool]

I milled this specifically for this lens to allow infiniti focus. The old mount was removed and this one was attached. The aperture works and also is manual.

[.Forty_One]

Nicely done!

[elk311]

Elk, Great photos on your flickr account.  I really liked your fog shots and the puppy with the boy. 

Thanks tlbradford! I really appreciate the feedback.