Will my 35 mm SLR AF lenses work with a digital camera?

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I have two 35mm SLR AF Sigma lenses from my Minolta Maxuum 7000... one is a 60-210mm macro lens and the other is a 28-70mm. How can I tell if they will work on a Canon Digital Rebel?

 

[BalloonzForU]

Nope...


I asked this question last year. I have some awesome lenses for my 35mm SLR and was hoping I'd be able to use them.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Dang. They are excellent (and expensive) lenses...

 

[BalloonzForU]

That's the same thing I thought when I was told they would not work with the DSLRs...

 

[SteveB]

Do you already have a Rebel, or just considering buying one?

The lenses will work (mount) on the new sony dSLRs.... not sure if they will focus or meter automatically though... they most likely will, though...

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Just thinking about buying one... it would be great if my lenses worked with it. I guess I could take them down to Best Buy or some camera store and try them out.

 

[TokayKeeper]

www.dpreview.com is your friend.

 

[SteveB]

I love dpreview, but the forums are not always a friendly place... also it was bought out by cnet I believe? Hope it continues to provide quality reviews in the future.

 

[BalloonzForU]

My 35mm SLR lenses will not even mount on my XTi, to see if I can focus manually.

 

[SteveB]

Well of course not...

Sony bought Minolta's SLR business.. the sony SLRs use the same mount as the Minolta.

Canon and Nikon mounts are two different mounts, minolta is a third... etc...

 

[TokayKeeper]

minolta = sony now....

However, there may be adapters for the lens mount. The problem, if you aren't use to it, will be the auto focus ability. If the lenses don't have motors in them or the camera can't power the lens via its [camera] motor then you'll be stuck manually focusing.

 

[walkingundead]

For the most part I'd say no. I'm an photographer on the side of everything else I do, I have a Nikon D70 and an old FM2. If you release the lens from a DSLR, you'll notice that there are electrical pins in the top and bottom. The lens sends the signal to the camera to display the image from the lens. Unlike 35MM SLRS that use a series of mirrors to display the image, and use light to expose the film.

 

[Kristi23]

My 35mm Nikon AF-D lenses all work on my Nikon digital with no problems (all in auto, too). But I know that many do not work.

 

[R2D2]

Your lens should work just fine. I have the same camera and lens work fine. You also get adaptors if you need them. Sometimes when dealing with older lens the automatic settings don't always work. I have only had this problem once but it does happen. In such cases you just use the manual setting. This is what you want to use most of the time anyway with macro lens. unless you are shooting flying insects or maybe humming birds. Trust your eyes they are always better the camera especially when it comes to older equipment. I would also recommend you check out B&H photo store. They have a web site and they will give you great advice.(these guys are gods when it comes to camera equipment) All the pro's shop here. Great prices too!!