Camera lens connector

[lufihengr]

So have the lens connection type changed at all in the last say 30 years? We have an old Nikon camera that uses film, and two lenses, one 50mm and one 80-200mm lens. If I buy a modern DSLR, will these lenses work? 

[Lil Chillbil]

yes, for canon we went from ef to efs 

 

prolly not without an adapter on the nikon side of things

[simtransporter]

I'm not an expert on cameras, so don't quote me on this.... but as far as I know... I don't think the mount has changed so the lens should fit. Having said that, depending on which DSLR you buy, you might not be able to use metering and other features with the lens.

[lufihengr]

So, basically if I buy a Nikon it should fit fine, and if I get a Canon I will need an adapter?

[niksuto]

So have the lens connection type changed at all in the last say 30 years? We have an old Nikon camera that uses film, and two lenses, one 50mm and one 80-200mm lens. If I buy a modern DSLR, will these lenses work? 

it depends on what range you buy into. the cheaper Nikon cameras will not fire without a DX lens attached, it uses electronics to check for metering and what not. These cameras like the D5200 and such won't fire even if you're in manual mode.

"The F-mount has a significant degree of both backward and forward compatibility. Many current autofocus F-mount lenses can be used on the original Nikon F, and the earliest manual-focus F-mount lenses of the 1960s and early 1970s can, with some modification, still be used to their fullest on all professional-class Nikon cameras. Incompatibilities do exist, however, and adventurous F-mount users should consult product documentation in order to avoid problems. For example, many electronic camera bodies cannot meter without a CPU enabled lens, the aperture of G designated lenses cannot be controlled without an electronic camera body, and non-AI lenses (manufactured prior to 1977) can cause mechanical damage to later model bodies unless they are modified to meet the AI specification. Many manual focus lenses can be converted to allow metering with consumer Nikon bodies by adding a Dandelion chip to the lens.[1]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_F-mount

 

You will notice optical imperfections with most newer digital cameras, so the worth of using older lenses can be debated. Unless it are high end older lenses the lack of coating and the not so precise build quality will change your pictures looks. But often only seen when you're "pixel peeping"

[lufihengr]

it depends on what range you buy into. the cheaper Nikon cameras will not fire without a DX lens attached, it uses electronics to check for metering and what not. These cameras like the D5200 and such won't fire even if you're in manual mode.

"The F-mount has a significant degree of both backward and forward compatibility. Many current autofocus F-mount lenses can be used on the original Nikon F, and the earliest manual-focus F-mount lenses of the 1960s and early 1970s can, with some modification, still be used to their fullest on all professional-class Nikon cameras. Incompatibilities do exist, however, and adventurous F-mount users should consult product documentation in order to avoid problems. For example, many electronic camera bodies cannot meter without a CPU enabled lens, the aperture of G designated lenses cannot be controlled without an electronic camera body, and non-AI lenses (manufactured prior to 1977) can cause mechanical damage to later model bodies unless they are modified to meet the AI specification. Many manual focus lenses can be converted to allow metering with consumer Nikon bodies by adding a Dandelion chip to the lens.[1]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_F-mount

So it might work on a Nikon out of the box, depending on the model. What about with a Canon body with an adapter? Is it even plausible?

[niksuto]

So it might work on a Nikon out of the box, depending on the model. What about with a Canon body with an adapter? Is it even plausible?

If the lenses have manual aperture control and focus control this would work. Just don't go get the cheapest lens adapter off of Evilbay.. uhh Ebay 

[lufihengr]

If the lenses have manual aperture control and focus control this would work. Just don't go get the cheapest lens adapter off of Evilbay.. uhh Ebay 

I was looking at one on amazon, but what is the right price point for a quality adapter? or maybe you know of a good brand?

[MrSuperb]

yes, for canon we went from ef to efs 

 

EF-S is APS-C

EF is FF

[Lil Chillbil]

EF-S is APS-C

EF is FF

 

ok 

[mcmxcii]

EF-S is APS-C

EF is FF

This needs to be bumped up so that people don't get the wrong information about canon lens.

 

You can use EF lens on APS-C cameras, But you can't use EF-S on full frame. That is a one way ticket to smashing your mirror!

 

The mighty L lens use EF mounts.

[Timmyfox]

A Nikon lens on a canon body won't work because of the shorter flange distance (distance between the lens and sensor). It would physically work, but the focusing would be off unless you put a special refocusing element inside the adapter and those adapters and I don't know of anyone making such adapters.

[lufihengr]

A Nikon lens on a canon body won't work because of the shorter flange distance (distance between the lens and sensor). It would physically work, but the focusing would be off unless you put a special refocusing element inside the adapter and those adapters and I don't know of anyone making such adapters.

Oh, that's interesting.

[Puppet]

A Nikon lens on a canon body won't work because of the shorter flange distance (distance between the lens and sensor). It would physically work, but the focusing would be off unless you put a special refocusing element inside the adapter and those adapters and I don't know of anyone making such adapters.

 

It's the other way around.

 

It's very easy to adapt Nikon lenses to a Canon body, would be careful some of the really cheap adapters though, they might tear up your mount.

 

Putting a Canon lens on a Nikon body would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

[lufihengr]

It's the other way around.

 

It's very easy to adapt Nikon lenses to a Canon body, would be careful some of the really cheap adapters though, they might tear up your mount.

 

Putting a Canon lens on a Nikon body would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Ugh, I am getting a bit cofused here. So Canon lens + Nikon body = No. Nikon lens + Canon body = Yes?

[Puppet]

Ugh, I am getting a bit cofused here. So Canon lens + Nikon body = No. Nikon lens + Canon body = Yes?

 

In general yes.

 

You will quite often see Canon users using Nikon wide lenses on their bodies, there's no real reason to go to the effort for the teles, but Nikon wides are definitely superior in a lot of instances.

 

The cheap adapters won't have any communication, so you'll need a lens that has a physical aperture control. There are adapters that can provide communication though, just slightly more expensive.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7877116@N04/7326946380/

[lufihengr]

In general yes.

 

You will quite often see Canon users using Nikon wide lenses on their bodies, there's no real reason to go to the effort for the teles, but Nikon wides are definitely superior in a lot of instances.

 

The cheap adapters won't have any communication, so you'll need a lens that has a physical aperture control. There are adapters that can provide communication though, just slightly more expensive.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7877116@N04/7326946380/

Okay great! The lenses I have should have physical aperture control, so that's not an issue.