?? about Digital SLR & 35mm SLR lenses

[BalloonzForU]

I have Pentex 35mm SLR with AF lenses and macro lense and would like to get a Canon digital SLR, was wondering if the lenses form the 35mm would work with the digital. I'd hate to buy one then have the lenses not work then have to buy all new lenses. Has anyone used lenses in this way? The camera I'm looking at says it works with most EF lenses, what is EF, I know what AF is, but not EF. Oh I forgot, my lenses are Promaster lenses.

I'm looking at this one http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...6/602-0345590-8422200?ie=UTF8&asin=B000DZDTKU

 

[Intense Herpetoculture]

They will work with any lense that is a EF (electronic focus) that is built with a Canon mount. Those that are AF (suto focus) do not work, although some models can have a microchip installed for a high price. I doubt you can use your Pentex, they have different mounting systems. You can get conversion mounts, but they only work in manual mode.

I have Pentex 35mm SLR with AF lenses and macro lense and would like to get a Canon digital SLR, was wondering if the lenses form the 35mm would work with the digital. I'd hate to buy one then have the lenses not work then have to buy all new lenses. Has anyone used lenses in this way? The camera I'm looking at says it works with most EF lenses, what is EF, I know what AF is, but not EF. Oh I forgot, my lenses are Promaster lenses.

I'm looking at this one http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...6/602-0345590-8422200?ie=UTF8&asin=B000DZDTKU

 

[Mel&Keith]

I got to play with a friend's 30D over Thanksgiving and it was SO much fun. You should definitely get one!

 

[BalloonzForU]

Oh well! This won't be a purchase that's made right away so I guess I have time to save up some more money for lenses, and who knows maybe even a better model. The sad thing is the only reason for this buy is to take pics of geckos, close up.

 

[Intense Herpetoculture]

Truthfull, I don't know why you would go to the expense of that camera? What are you using it for? Most applications including pro photography do just fine with a digital rebel. We got ours used on Ebay for a great price. No point to pay for them new when you can get one 1/2 price slightly used.

I have Pentex 35mm SLR with AF lenses and macro lense and would like to get a Canon digital SLR, was wondering if the lenses form the 35mm would work with the digital. I'd hate to buy one then have the lenses not work then have to buy all new lenses. Has anyone used lenses in this way? The camera I'm looking at says it works with most EF lenses, what is EF, I know what AF is, but not EF. Oh I forgot, my lenses are Promaster lenses.

I'm looking at this one http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...6/602-0345590-8422200?ie=UTF8&asin=B000DZDTKU

 

[BalloonzForU]

Good question Justyn.... I like that camera, and I love Canons. I'd like to get into photography again, and would like to have a real nice digital SLR when it came time. I really like my wide angles, telescopic, and macro and I miss using my 35mm, but the quality of digital is so much better now.

 

[Intense Herpetoculture]

Truthfully it sounds like a digital rebel would be just great, and a lot less. They accept the same lenses, take about the same pics. Sure the image size is smaller, but it's still HUGE!

Good question Justyn.... I like that camera, and I love Canons. I'd like to get into photography again, and would like to have a real nice digital SLR when it came time. I really like my wide angles, telescopic, and macro and I miss using my 35mm, but the quality of digital is so much better now.

 

[BalloonzForU]

What do you concider huge?

 

[BalloonzForU]

Same lenses? You mean EFs?

 

[Jeremy Letkey]

Felicia, the pics I sent you of my RRS for the calander were taken with the digital rebel. With the kit lens. I have a nice Tamron lense also but it is in the shop.

 

[BalloonzForU]

ooooo I like those pics!!! I'll look into those, what's the mp on it?

 

[BalloonzForU]

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...-8422200?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000I1ZWRC This is the only one I found on Target's site.

 

[BalloonzForU]

What kind of card do they use? It's not listed in the specs.

 

[paulnattress]

Hi,

I doubt your Pentax lenses would work on the Canon Digital Rebel. Pentax's use the Pentax K mount typically so you'd have to buy new Canon lenses. The 18-55 lens that comes with the Rebel is ok for most uses (unless you're a real enthusiast or semi-pro). I have the Rebel myself and use a Sigma 50mm EX macro which cost £200 (sorry, not sure of the price in dollars, that's a GBP price).

The new Rebel (called the 400D in the UK) is 10MP I think but the original Rebel and the Rebel XT were 6 and 8 MP respectively. Even the 6 MP is suitable for prints at 10" x 8" and the quality is really good.

The Rebels take Compact Flash cards. I personally use Kingston cards as they're really cheap and have a lifetime warranty.

I'm a new Leopard Gecko owner and a keen photographer so I'm sure I'll be here giving advice on photography and reading advice on Leos.

If you're looking for a macro lens you may want to consider 90 or 100mm macro. This will allow you to keep a fair distance from your Leo (the Tamron 90mm macro is generally regarded as being one of the best in this range). However, my 50mm macro is suitable for taking shots 6-10 inches away from our Leo but if I wanted a full head shot I'd have to get much closer which is something I'm not too comfortable doing until I'm sure it's not going to stress her out. I have a 70-300mm zoom with a macro function at 200-300mm so I could use this instead (but it's not as good wuality as the 50mm).

Ok, I've rambled on enough! Keep asking questions and I'll be happy to answer.

Paul

 

[NaughtyDawg]

My 2 cents worth.

Since your looking for a digital slr your only real choices are Nikon and Cannon. Go to a local photo shop and try BOTH brands, and choose whatever brand you feel more comfortable handling and using. There is really no difference between them quality wise.

Don't get caught up in the megapixel myth. If the photo's you are taking are being used for 8 x 10's or 12 x 18 you will not be able to see the difference. If they are going to be 48" poster then it makes a difference.

Whatever you choose you will be choosing a system as they are not interchangeable. I use Nikon because it fit my hand better, the Cannon seemed to be slightly smaller and I had harder time using the controls, the Nikon's just feel better to ME.

As for lenses, keep in mind that if you decide to sell your lenses the 3rd party lenses will give you less of a return than the brand names. In MY opinion only steer clear of them, pay for the brand name. Some 3rd party lenses have some heinous distortion that even photoshop will not correct.

I guess what I am saying is buy whatever fells good in YOUR hands and not a reviewer's hands or the salesman's hand. If the salesman is pushing one brand over the other they are making more money on it or are misinformed.

Just because the camera cost $1500 doesn't mean the pictures will be better than from the $800 camera.

 

[paulnattress]

I agree with NaughtyDawg although I personally (and it all comes down to personal preference really) wouldn't write off third party lenses as some of the third party lenses are as good as or better than the brand names. In general though, the brand names tend to be better across the range of lenses but always read reviews. Try www.fredmiranda.com for some good lens reviews. Also, if you're checking our cameras, take a look at www.steves-digicams.com for detailed breakdown of features in the reviews.

If you stick with Nikon or Canon, I don't think either sell a bad SLR so go with what feels right. Like NaughtyDawg says, the Canon Rebels (other than the original one) are smaller than normal SLRs and don't suit most people's hands.

 

[BalloonzForU]

Thanks Guys are all the info!

The size of the Rebels sounds good to me! I've got small hands. I'll be going up to my local camera shop in a few months to look at some of the cameras. I do like some of the features the newer Rebel has, like self cleaning!!!

 

[paulnattress]

If you don't want to go for a digital SLR Fuji do a really good "enthusiast" camera. It's 9MP with a 28-300 zoom lens. It's good in the dark (using a high ISO setting) and the macro function can focus 0.4 inches from the lens. They're relatively cheap too - around £300 or $400-500. In the UK it's called the S9500 but I think it's called the S9000 in the US. My dad is a wedding photographer and uses one as a backup to his Canon 5D and he loves it.

Here's a review.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/s9000.html

Something that may interest you is this bit "The Natural Light mode lets you shoot in low-light situations without using the flash, handy in places that prohibit flash photography." Or as I like to think of it "handy for not scaring the life out of your poor Leo with a big burst of flash".

Also, an advantage over an SLR is that this one can record movies. It won't be as good as a proper video camera but you can catch your Leo stalking its prey.

 

[NaughtyDawg]

Thanks Guys are all the info!

The size of the Rebels sounds good to me! I've got small hands. I'll be going up to my local camera shop in a few months to look at some of the cameras. I do like some of the features the newer Rebel has, like self cleaning!!!

Sounds like an oven...........

 

[justin-branam]

as a "semi-pro" photographer, ill chime in with my 2 cents. i usually shoot with my Canon 1D Mark II, and i would suggest it to anyone, but thats probably out of your price range. i also use a Rebel XT for all of my underwater photography. it is a very good camera, and i have heard even better things about the Rebel XTi. The rebels are a good bit smaller than the 30d, 5d and 1d series, which can be a good thing (they weight less too). they all take CF cards (the 1d series also take sd) whichis pretty much the norm. I would highly suggest getting one of the rebel series, and using the extra cash for a good macro lens like the canon 60mm or even the canon 100mm (both of which are excellent lenses).

Take a look over at www.photography-on-the.net/forum/, and check out the buy/sell section (you may need to register to see those sections). whether you buy a new or used camera body is up to you (i have no problem doing so), and do not be afraid to buy used lenses. you will save yourself a few hundred bucks.

if you do want to buy new, check out www.bhphoto.com and enter the search code "psnov" and then sort your items by canon brand. this is a discount code which can save you a bit of money. with the code you can get a silver XTi with the 18-55 kit lens for $735 (black is $750), or if ou dont mind going with the XT, you can get it with the lens for $590.

if you do decide to buy elsewhere online, i cannot stress enough how important it is to go to www.resellerrating.com to check out the shop. there are thousands of grey market, screw you around type shops. good luck, and feel free to email or pm me if you have any questions about certain gear!